2. 2010 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 3
This was the game that put the NBA on notice about Goran Dragic and his potential. This was the game that converted you if you weren’t already onboard with Dragic as a fan favorite. This was the game that was agonizingly painful to put at the No. 2 spot instead of No. 1.
Going against the team that originally drafted him, Gogi and the Suns had a 2-0 lead on the San Antonio Spurs in the 2010 Western Conference semifinals. Heading into the first game of the series in San Antonio, the Suns took advantage of their opportunity to seize momentum, but it was really the Dragon that sucker-punched the Spurs off the bench.
Scoring 23 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Dragic went off on Tim Duncan and company. Nobody could stop him. He made 10 of his 13 shots, nailed five of his five three-point attempts (including a four-point play), and helped the Suns overcome an early 18-point deficit en route to a 3-0 series lead. The Suns would go on to sweep the series.
In the words of Grant Hill: “I think it’s safe to say that may have been the best fourth quarter performance I have ever seen in a playoff game.”
Watching these highlights now, there’s nothing particularly special that Suns fans haven’t seen over the last two years. But this was the moment the “heir to Steve Nash” label started to look like a reality. Plus, what better way to endear yourself to Suns fans forever than dropping 23 points on the San Antonio Spurs?
Next: No. 1