Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Ranking every Phoenix Suns player in loss to the Portland Trail Blazers

By Peter O'Keefe

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 21: Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 21, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 21: Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 21, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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The Phoenix Suns suffered their first defeat of the 2022-23 season on Friday night, falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in an overtime thriller at Moda Center.

After the Suns had controlled the game for large stretches of the opening three quarters, the sides went back-and-forth during the fourth period and then to overtime. Even in the game’s 113-111 conclusion, Phoenix’s Jock Landale had a chance to send it to a second overtime with a putback from Deandre Ayton’s deliberate missed free-throw.

Monty Williams shortened his rotation against the Portland Trail Blazers, relying heavily on the likes of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton in the overtime loss.

Williams used 10 players on Friday, led by a massive 43 minutes and 55 seconds for Booker. Here is every player ranked, excluding Bismack Biyombo who was brought in for the literal final second as Phoenix looked for the putback from Ayton’s free-throw.

10. Torrey Craig

Just over ten minutes with little impact, making one of three triple attempts. Having him and Josh Okogie on the floor at the same time is impossible, and given they’re both bench players, neither of them can ever play more than 15 minutes.

9. Josh Okogie

Two points, three rebounds and a steal in just under 14 minutes. Didn’t take a three which is probably a good thing after a couple of bricks against the Mavericks. If you can’t put him out there to put out a fire (e.g Lillard in this game), then he becomes fairly unusable and pointless in the rotation.

8. Cameron Johnson

A tailbone injury restricted him for significant minutes, and his night eventually ended early again for the second straight game. Johnson wasn’t overly effective in his 22 and a half minutes, recording just five points on 2-for-9 from the floor and 1-for-6 from three-point range. Hard to judge him given the circumstances, but ultimately you need to evaluate based on the performance offered.

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