Bright Side Baller: Suns stifled Spurs, secured second straight, despite setbacks

Takes wins where you can, especially when KD goe sdown.

The Phoenix Suns bounced back with a much-needed win, securing their second consecutive victory by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in one of their strongest defensive efforts of the season. Phoenix opened hot, maintained control despite some turbulence, and closed it out behind a stellar performance from Devin Booker.

The win also marked a special milestone for Book, who joined Walter Davis as the only players in franchise history to score 15,000 points in a Suns uniform.

With their defense holding San Antonio to just 93 points and key contributions from players like Tyus Jones and Bradley Beal, there’s reason for optimism as they gear up to face the Pelicans on Thursday.

Unfortunately, the Suns’ 3-1 record and +30 point differential in group play weren’t enough to secure a spot in the NBA Cup as Dallas’ comeback win against Memphis dashed their wild-card hopes. Oh no. We didn’t make the NBA Cup?! Now we’ll have to fill our schedule with teams not named Houston or Oklahoma City. Whatever will we do?

To make matters worse, Kevin Durant left the game after spraining his ankle late in the first half and did not return. While the Suns proved capable of holding Victor Wembanyama in check and found ways to thrive without KD, his absence remains a glaring concern. The Suns will need all hands on deck if they hope to keep this momentum rolling as the season progresses.

Bright Side Baller Season Standings:

Saturday seems like so long ago, but in the victory over the Warriors, it was Tyus Jones’s performance that resonated with the majority of the community. His 19 points and 9 assists, along with just one turnover, was enough to give him his second Bright Sider Baller award of the season. He is now tied with Mariah Carey, but still trailing Devin Booker, who leads with 4.

---

Devin Booker

29 points (10-of-21, 4-of-10 3PT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 5 turnovers, +12 +/-

Tyus Jones

16 points (6-of-10, 2-of-4 3PT), 4 assists, 0 turnovers, 0 +/-

Royce O’Neale

10 points (4-of-12, 2-of-9 3PT),6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +12 +/-

---

I missed this one. I was over in Glendale at the Zach Bryan concert. You know, Zach Bryan? No, not that “Chicken Fried” guy Zac Brown Band. And not the bro-country, over-produced, under-talented, Nashville-lyric writing, non-guitar playing Luke Bryan. Zach Lane Bryan. Three chords and the truth of singer/songwritin’ Americana folk red dirt country rock.

I bought the tickets way back in September 2023, blissfully unaware that I was committing to a random effing Tuesday night event smack dab in the middle of the uLtRa-ImPoRtAnT NBA Cup. And yes, it is weird not watching a Suns game. The Suns are such a staple of my life routine that missing a game feels borderline scandalous, like forgetting an anniversary or leaving your kid at soccer practice.

As I sat there, it felt like I was cheating on the Suns. Sure, they didn’t know, but I did. But then I got lost in the music and remembered that life exists outside of Phoenix Suns’ basketball. Although the first thing I did when I got home at 11:22pm is write this…

All right. Vote casting time!