Ranking every Phoenix Suns player in loss to the Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns player rankings in Friday night’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers (1-3).
3. Mikal Bridges
A productive all-round performance without being totally perfect. You’d like to see him take the Lillard matchup more personally — given his stature as a top three defender in the league last season, is there ever an excuse for an opposing player to drop 40+?
Bridges finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists, although you’d argue he needs to shoot the ball more than 10 times in the nearly 38 minutes he played. He’ll also be rueing a missed free-throw on his trip to the line with just over 30 seconds to play in regulation. Still, the signs are growing that he’s developing a more expansive offensive role.
2. Deandre Ayton
Aside from the missed free-throw at the end (the second was on purpose), it was another impressive performance from the Suns big man. It begun with a surprise three-ball in the first five minutes, and despite some foul troubles again, he managed to log 38 and a half minutes.
Ayton finished with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists, while he, Lee and Bridges were the only Suns to record positive plus-minuses. He wasn’t his uber efficient self from the from the field, but you’ll take 54.5% if he’s going to produce 25+ points.
Next. Game Report: Phoenix Suns suffer heartbreaking overtime loss to Portland Trail Blazers. dark
1. Devin Booker
Another high-level performance from the Suns superstar, even if the reliance on him isn’t totally sustainable. 33 points on 11-for-23 from the floor, 3-for-7 from deep, and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. Booker also added five rebounds and three assists, with a lack of turnovers also a genuine positive through the first two games. The lack of alternative scoring options, and subsequent weight on his shoulders, could result in being a genuine MVP candidate this season.