One of the biggest questions facing the Phoenix Suns since the trade for Kevin Durant was the question of the squad’s depth; on Sunday, the bench shined to help the Suns even the series at two.
The fate of the Suns in these playoffs will depend largely on the success of the team’s two superstars, Durant and Devin Booker. On Sunday, in game 4 against the Nuggets, D-Book and KD did their part, combining for 72, to lead the team to a series-tying victory. However, that victory would not have been possible without the performance of the Phoenix bench, particularly the starring role of the much-maligned Landry Shamet.
Phoenix fans were questioning Monty Williams’ continued faith in Shamet off the bench, with the substitute failing to score more than four points in a single game before Sunday. On Sunday, on the biggest stage thus far this season, Monty’s faith was rewarded as Shamet shined, and the Suns evened the series at two.
Faith in Shamet, other Suns substitutes rewarded
Before game 4, Shamet had appeared in seven of the Suns’ eight playoff games, accumulating 94 minutes and 14 points. Shamet is on the floor for his offense, shooting just 31.8% (6-19) in those 94 minutes; unsurprisingly, Landry sat out game two. However, after a 2-4 performance in game 3, Shamet caught fire for the Suns on Sunday.
After making a layup on one of his two shots in the first half, Landry found the range from deep. Shamet hit five three-pointers, including three from the corner in the fourth quarter, when Landry went on a 9-4 run.
Shamet wasn’t the only substitute to play big, with Nikola Jokic again keeping Deandre Ayton in foul trouble; Jock Landale played 20 big minutes, scoring eight points, pulling down five rebounds, and adding in one big block. If you add in eight big points from Terrence Ross – the same total as Ayton – there is no doubt the 40-11 bench advantage was the difference in the game.
Of course, it was another brilliant game from Booker, who scored 36 points on a mere 77.8% shooting, and 36 from Durant, who shot 57.9% himself, which carried the Suns. However, the last shots of the game were two free throws from Shamet, whose 19 points made the difference in the 129-124 win.
With the series tied at two games apiece, it becomes a best-of-three series, with two of the three games in Denver, starting with game 5 on Tuesday night.