The Phoenix Suns made a big change, with Bradley Beal coming off the bench for the first time in almost nine years. This move, along with other lineup adjustments, led to a much-needed win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
• We finally got to talk about real basketball! The Suns played like a cohesive team, and it was refreshing to analyze a game where things actually worked.
• The third quarter was the turning point. The Suns went on a 19-3 run, with Beal getting hot and leading the charge. It was the first significant run we’ve seen from this team in months.
• Bradley Beal embraced his new role off the bench. He scored 25 points and dished out 5 assists, proving he can still be a major contributor even if he’s not starting.
• Oshae Brissett was a pleasant surprise. He outplayed both Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee, showing he might be the best option at center for the Suns right now.
• The offense looked much better with Brissett on the floor. He’s a real threat to score, which opens up opportunities for Booker and Durant when defenses can’t ignore him.
• We’re still not sure if this lineup change is permanent. Coach Budenholzer said they’re going to “feel it out,” and the rotations in this game reflected that approach.
• Ryan Dunn got the start in place of Beal, and we think he should keep that spot even when Royce O’Neale returns from injury. Dunn’s defense and energy are crucial for this team.
• There’s been speculation that this move is to pressure Beal into waiving his no-trade clause. We think that’s nonsense – this is more likely a last-ditch effort to make things work.
• The schedule is about to get lighter in terms of opponent quality, but the games are coming fast. It’ll be interesting to see if the Suns can build on this performance.
• We’re cautiously optimistic, but we’ve been burned before. Let’s see if the Suns can maintain this level of play before we get too excited.
Remember, Suns fans, this is just one game. But it’s the first time in a while that we’ve felt good about this team. Keep following Locked On Suns for daily updates and analysis as we see how this new lineup plays out. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter at lockeddaily.com for even more Suns content!
