Phoenix Suns: Player Grades From NBA Finals First Two Games

Boasting a 2-0 series lead at the moment, the Phoenix Suns successfully held down home court to start the NBA Finals, winning both their contests against the Eastern Conference-champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Struggling to find their groove, the Bucks looked incredibly disoriented each time out vs the Suns, strictly leaning on Giannis Antetokounmpo to carry them to the promised land while dodging all other responsibilities. Antetokounmpo, who rained fire over Phoenix with 42 points, looked incredibly gassed toward Game 2’s closing moments, as his calls for assistance went unanswered time and time again.

Contrarily, the Suns continued to play team-oriented ball en route to victory. Although led mainly by Devin Booker and Chris Paul, now the highest scoring backcourt ever through an NBA Finals’ first two games, nearly every other team member added at least something to the group’s winning effort.

To walk away holding a Larry O’Brien trophy, you certainly need those highlight-reel making, opponent shattering stars like Booker and Paul. But still, any “sidekick” players offering some contributions of their own hold value as well. Making just a few heads-up plays, hitting one or two clutch free throws, or just putting in timely defensive work can go a long way.

Acknowledging the productivity from our less talked-about players, all the way up to those who frequently see their jerseys sell off the racks each night, here are players grades for the Phoenix Suns through the NBA Finals thus far.

Phoenix Suns – Chris Paul NBA Finals Grade: A

Paul led all scorers during Game 1 with 32 points, shooting at an incredibly efficient 12-19 clip. He especially turned things up during the third quarter, where he added 16 points to help establish a lead for the Suns which they never surrendered. Attacking the record books as well, Paul ended up scoring or assisting on 54 points for the Suns during their first bout with Milwaukee, the third highest mark ever by a player making his Finals debut.

During Game 2, Paul scored 23 points and dished out eight assists, often leaving his defenders scratching their heads as he repeatedly soared away from them to hit fade-away looks.

But aside from his offensive mindfulness and general scoring capabilities, Paul’s improved 3-point shooting has brought his game to another level on this grandest stage. Paul has never made seven triples during a two-game span all season this year—that is until now, with him going 7-12 from deep between Games 1 and 2.

The only thing keeping CP3 from earning an A+ grade deals with his ball security, something he typically excels with. During Game 2, Paul turned the ball over six times, tying a season-high for him. It ended up mattering very little, but remains something for him to work on going forward.

Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker NBA Finals Grade: A-

He finished with 27 points, but Devin Booker certainly struggled a bit during his first NBA Finals performance. Shooting just 1-8 from 3-point range and 8-21 overall, Booker needed to find his points by secondary means during Game 1, instead earning 10 free-throw attempts, all of which he thankfully sank.

Defensively, he finished with three steals, but also turned the ball over three times himself, collectively putting together a solid, but uncharacteristically gritty outing.

Booker’s shooting headaches continued to start Game 2, but he turned them around within an instant. Although starting 1-7 from the field, Booker tore into a 7-9 run, eventually pushing his scoring total up to a game-high 31 points. Like Paul, he shot tremendously from outside, going 7-12 for the game.

Booker’s inefficiency shooting the ball during Game 1 comes as the only knock on his performance, placing his grade ever so slightly below Paul’s. However, his improved play during Game 2 argues that much better games likely lie ahead for him.

Phoenix Suns – Mikal Bridges NBA Finals Grade: B+

Mikal Bridges delivered a career-playoff high 27 points during Game 2 to go along with seven rebounds, only following another solid performance from Game 1 where he scored 14 points and went 2-4 from range. With Bridges averaging just 11.8 points per game this postseason, his clear elevation of play awards him this B+ grade, though an argument for an A- can be made as well.

His defensive prowess continues to operate as a key asset for Phoenix, as he turned Khris Middleton into an essential non-factor during Game 2. The once thought “real batman” for Milwaukee scored only 11 points with Bridges guarding him, making things that much harder for Antetokounmpo.

Entering this series, many foresaw the Middleton vs Bridges matchup as one likely to dictate its direction. That continues to hold true at this point, with Bridges outplaying Middleton—and the Suns outplaying the Bucks.

Phoenix Suns – Jae Crowder NBA Finals Grade: C+

As the only player with NBA Finals experience to take the floor Tuesday, most expected a big night from Suns swingman Jae Crowder. But although head coach Monty Williams certainly looked to get him involved, things played out somewhat poorly, with Crowder missing all his attempts from the field during Game 1.

He ended up scoring only one point, as he split a pair at the charity stripe with roughly 24 seconds left in the game. Oddly enough though, Crowder finished with plus-minus rating at +19, the highest mark amongst all Suns.

Whether offensively or not, Crowder’s presence undoubtedly helped the team win their first game, allowing his grade to rise higher than what his initial stats might let on.

During Game 2 though, he added 11 points, snatched 10 rebounds, and even mixed in three assists for an all-around more robust evening. Crowder’s ceiling for this series still remains untouched, and barely even visible at this point, but you cannot discredit his positive influence on the team. For that reason, his grade tips slightly above neutral.

Phoenix Suns – Deandre Ayton NBA Finals Grade: B+

Ayton brought some monster energy into Game 1, often cutting to the basket with aggression and strength to finish over Milwaukee defenders. He tallied 22 points and 19 rebounds during the affair, shooting 8-10 from the field as well.

He then followed up that performance with a modest 10-point and 11-rebound game, where Phoenix featured him slightly less, but still allowed him to remain impactful. During both games though, Ayton’s defense seemed improved by substantial measures. Collapsing inward to help out while attacking the glass aggressively, Ayton owns the paint right now over the crafty Brook Lopez.

The Bucks must know by this point how dangerous Ayton makes things when fully engaged both offensively and defensively. They still possess enough size between Lopez and Antetokounmpo to bother him, so keep an eye out for how he adjust, if the the Bucks try to bruise him up more down low. At this point though, he’s certainly had his way.

Phoenix Suns – Cameron Payne NBA Finals Grade: C+

Certified spark plug Cameron Payne has neither done too much, nor too little during his first two runs as an NBA Finals participant, collectively averaging 6.0 points per game while playing 13.5 minutes per contest. During Game 1 though, he did step into a 3-pointer to put the Suns up 24-20, helping usher some momentum into the arena still unseen until its time. However, Payne simply needs more minutes to really impact the game.

Phoenix Suns – Cameron Johnson NBA Finals Grade: A

Cameron Johnson seemingly saved his best playoff basketball for the NBA Finals. Playing roughly 20 minutes each game, Johnson has gone 2-4 from outside each contest, collectively shooting 5-10 from the field on the series. This comes as small sample size, but as far as “doing your part” goes, Johnson deserves an A.

Phoenix Suns – Torrey Craig NBA Finals Grade: C

Torrey Craig took a shot from a driving Antetokounmpo during Game 2, already proving himself tougher than anyone I know. His status for Game 3 remains undetermined at this time, but Craig has eight points between both Finals contests thus far. Like Payne, his impact has shrunken beside his minutes leash, but he has also yet to make any notable mistakes.

Phoenix Suns – Frank Kaminsky NBA Finals Grade: C-

Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky looked due for a serious minutes increase when Dario Saric went down with a torn ACL, but he only played four minutes during Game 1, and then just one minute during Game 2. He immediately allowed Antetokounmpo to score during that lone defensive set, but it feels lame to knock him for only that. With Craig possibly out though, he seems likely to field more time as we move forward.