Right when the Suns’ defense starts engaging, the offense is missing. But of course.
Sometimes, it just ain’t your night. Friday against Dallas was one of those nights. Falling 98-89, we’re no longer questioning the Suns’ defensive capabilities. It’s the offense that has faltered as we prepare to close out the 2024 calendar year.
Phoenix shot 38.6% from the field, their fourth-worst shooting night on the season, in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Woof. All while holding Dallas to 98 points.
The Suns held Dallas to 98 points, which is their third-best defensive effort of the season.
But they score 89 points, their second-worst scoring output.
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) December 28, 2024
We saw some fight out of the team as Jusuf Nurkic was ejected for actual fighting. Some say, “Hey, don’t get emotional.” And I get that. Be smart. You hurt your team when you get ejected. But I’m just happy to see some fight again. Yeah, the ejection was dumb. It was stupid. Nurkic should have stayed level-headed when he got into a fight down 16 points. Want to get even? Do it at the rim.
But again, I kinda liked it. I’m surely in the minority here, and I don’t care. Get mad. Get angry. Impose you will. Get tossed. All of the anti-Nurk people must’ve enjoyed it, right? No Nurk on the floor makes them smile I thought.
Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were all ejected after this scuffle in Mavs-Suns. pic.twitter.com/A3Gk7eBYlI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 28, 2024
The loss drags Phoenix back to .500, sitting at 15-15 on the season. As they limp forward, questions about consistency, offensive chemistry, and their ability to hang with the league’s best will only grow louder.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Bradley Beal brought us tidings of comfort and joy on Christmas Day, and behind his efficient 27-point performance, he earned his second Bright Side Baller of the season. He is now tied with Kevin Durant and Royce O’Neale on the season (knowing that we started this thing 8 games into the season and KD most likely would’ve BSB’d all 8 of those).
An updated chart for your viewing pleasure:
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Who is fighting it out for the Bright Side Baller after the game against the Mavs on Friday night?
Kevin Durant
35 points (11-of-19, 3-of-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 turnover, -3 +/-
Bradley Beal
11 points (5-of-18, 1-of-5 3PT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, -13 +/-
Jusuf Nurkic
3 points (1-of-4, 1-of-1 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 smack upside the head, -10 +/-
Josh Okogie
8 points (3-of-9, 2-of-5 3PT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 0 +/-
Royce O’Neale
14 points (5-of-10, 4-of-9 3PT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, -11 +/-
Time to analyze the numbers, trust what you saw, and cast your vote.