10 impressive things from the Phoenix Suns impressive win over the Bucks
![Ricky Rubio, Phoenix Suns (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Ricky Rubio, Phoenix Suns (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/afb8c30fe0767b4b1dd8068f455e6f9fcc158e4b958389efd341f8e3c6a3faf9.jpg)
The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks in impressive style Sunday afternoon. Their hot shooting created some even more impressive stats.
I know, I know. The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo. But you know what? The Phoenix Suns didn’t have Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. And they won.
The Suns followed up their impressive win over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night with an even more impressive victory Sunday afternoon over the Bucks. This back-to-back stretch for the Suns is even more awe-inspiring when you consider the abysmal performances they put on display against the Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors, losing both matchups in which they were favored to win.
To tack on another layer or impressiveness, the Suns didn’t trail at all in this game. Not once. Just like the game against the Trail Blazers. To reiterate that phenomenon, the Phoenix Suns have led wire-to-wire in consecutive games, the most recent coming against the NBA’s best team. To put it another way, the last time the Suns trailed was Tuesday, which will be one week from their next game when they play the Trail Blazers once again.
Shall we keep the impressive stats rolling? Lets.
The Suns’ 140 points are the most they have scored since they put up 152 against the Minnesota Timberwolves way back on March 16, 2010; just one week shy of a decade ago. Their 47 points in the first quarter are the most in a quarter this season.
How about an impressive superlative?
The Suns’ draining of 19 3-pointers in consecutive games is the first time they have done that in…ever. It’s a franchise record.
To move onto impressive individual play, let’s start with Ricky Rubio, who played like a superhero on Superhero night at Talking Stick Resort Arena. On the same day the team handed out action figures of the Spanish Maestro, Rubio recorded his seventh career triple-double, notching 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Those numbers actually qualify him for the cleverly named triple-dozen and mark the first time a Phoenix Suns player has accomplished this feat since Steve Nash did it back in 2005.
What about Devin Booker? He scored 20 of his game-high 36 points in the first quarter alone. I would put that in the impressive category. He was also only two assists away from a double-double which would have made the first time in NBA history a team would have two players record double-digit assists in three consecutive games.
Speaking of double-digit stats, Mikal Bridges got into that action as well. His 21 points (his second-most in a game this season) and 10 rebounds earned him the first double-double of his NBA career.
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He has been so impressive to watch lately his newfound assertiveness on the offensive side of the ball in combination with his defensive prowess are turning him into a high caliber player.
And then there is Aron Baynes. How did he follow up his career night against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he joined James Harden as the only player in NBA history with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and nine 3-pointers?
By picking up where he left off. Baynes made another four 3s on his way to 24 points. What is so impressive about his 3-point shooting is now defenders are closing out on him, so he pump-fakes, drives and hits a floater.
The big Aussie has made himself some money during this stretch, and the Suns will likely have to dig deep if they hope to re-sign him this offseason.
Up next for the Phoenix Suns is the Portland Trail Blazers (again) on Tuesday, who will be looking to exact revenge after the beatdown they received Friday night.
Next. Aron Baynes proves Ayton needs to shoot 3s for the Phoenix Suns. dark
The Suns are still six games back from the 8th spot in the West with only 18 games left, but crazier things have happened. For now, all they can do is keep putting together impressive wins like this one.