The Phoenix Suns third preseason game is in the books, suffering a 107-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday. With each team missing some key players, opportunities were afforded to a number of players battling for minutes in the rotation.
Phoenix started off brightly but struggled offensively as the game progressed; they missed 22 of their last 27 three-point attempts after starting 7-for-10, ultimately shooting less than 43% from the field overall. The bench particularly struggled for creativity in the absence of regular backup guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet.
There was an equal disparity of promising and underwhelming individual performances from the Phoenix Suns loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
Monty Williams bumped the minutes for his starters, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton each playing over 27 minutes. With four players out and Jae Crowder away from the team, each active player received minutes besides veteran center Bismack Biyombo.
Here is every Suns player ranked from 12-1:
12. Frank Jackson
Played five fourth-quarter minutes and recorded donuts in the boxscore apart from one personal foul. Unfortunate to say but his days with the Suns are clearly numbered. Next.
11. Ish Wainright
Just seven minutes for Wainright, recording two points, two rebounds, a turnover and four personal fouls. Perhaps unlucky not to get more opportunity, however Williams is clearly prioritising Torrey Craig and Josh Okogie as the strong-bodied wing. Monday’s game didn’t do anything to suggest that should change, with Wainright set for plenty of G League action on his two-way deal.
10. Josh Okogie
The 24-year-old’s first game for Phoenix after battling a slight hamstring injury during training camp. Not an overly promising display but that can be excused as he looks to mould into a new system. The biggest issue was his four turnovers, including a couple where he put the ball on the floor and drove into traffic — that should be a no-no in his three-and-D style.
9. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
The boxscore looks alright — eight points, three rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes. His overall impact was limited though, evident by a team-low -9 in plus-minus. Hasn’t done enough to warrant the 15th roster spot just yet.