Budenholzer’s in-game adjustments propel Suns to victory over 76ers

It’s been a theme we’ve seen plenty to start the season: Bud is pulling the right levers.

The Phoenix Suns edged out the Philadelphia 76ers last night, 118-116, marking their sixth win in seven games to start the 2024-25 season. Though Paul George made his return to Philadelphia’s lineup, his presence wasn’t enough to tip the scales. What proved decisive, as we’ve seen so often early this season, were the Suns’ timely adjustments.

Last season, it felt like every strategic move — or missed opportunity — led to close losses for Phoenix. The numbers tell the story: the Suns were 20-21 in clutch games. The ability to close out tight matchups is essential in the NBA, where the line between winning and losing is razor-thin.

This season, however, Phoenix is coming out on top in games they might have let slip away a year ago. So far, they’ve gone a league-best 5-0 in clutch situations, a promising sign for their ability to close out the season’s toughest challenges.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer has been instrumental in making the adjustments that position his team to win in tight games, and the players have delivered when it counts. The win over Philadelphia was yet another example of this dynamic.

This season, the Suns have become one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooting teams. Through the first two weeks, they’ve averaged a 48% three-point rate, ranking fifth in the league. Phoenix is taking more threes than ever before, pushing the Valley of the Sun into a new era of high-volume perimeter shooting.

But last night? Bud adjusted.

Phoenix shot just 32 three-pointers. Yes, I know it’s weird to say just 32. They shot 32 or fewer three-pointers 43 times last season. But for this version of the Phoenix Suns, that is a rarity. That is the lowest amount they’ve shot this season. Though they still maintained a 39% three-point rate, this was a deliberate adjustment Budenholzer made to suit the matchup in front of him.

Phoenix’s advantage in this game wasn’t on the perimeter. It was in the paint. With Joel Embiid sidelined and Andre Drummond starting, Budenholzer recognized the lack of a true shot-blocking presence inside. The depth behind Drummond? Guerschon Yabusele, a 6’8” power forward and, likewise, not a rim protector.

While the 76ers relied heavily on three-point shooting, attempting 51 shots from beyond the arc, Budenholzer stuck to his game plan. He kept Jusuf Nurkic on the floor for the entire game, a rare move this season. There have been games where Nurkic has struggled, playing only eight minutes in the first half before Budenholzer benches him to help him regain focus. But against Philadelphia, Bud’s confidence in Nurkic never wavered.

Last night, despite being down 8 points in the fourth, Budenholzer stayed the course.

Nurkic rewarded Budenholzer’s trust with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and the team did something they hadn’t done yet this season: win the battle in the paint. Given Phoenix’s three-point-heavy approach, they’re not usually dominant inside. But last night, they outscored the 76ers 56-36 in the paint, capped off by Kevin Durant’s go-ahead bucket, capitalizing on Philadelphia’s own defensive adjustments.

After seeing Andre Drummond’s struggles — and being reminded that he has the mobility of a light pole — 76ers head coach Nick Nurse pivoted to Guerschon Yabusele. The move paid off: Yabusele notched a career-high 19 points and hit five threes, also a personal best. The small-ball approach proved effective offensively and nearly won Philadelphia the game.

But ultimately cost them.

The Suns identified him as the guy to go in on defensively. Kevin Durant got the switch, pulled him out, and then attacked him, scoring the final two points in the paint.

“We had proper spacing when I got the ball,” Durant said after the game. “First of all, Grayson with the incredible offensive rebound. I think I might have shot a quick three there, but I was feeling good about myself, so I pulled that one. But Grayson made a great offensive rebound, which kind of set us up. Once you get the offensive rebound, they’re scrambling a little bit. So, we got Yabusele on me, and that’s the matchup we wanted.”

“He’s the center, so there is not really much rim protection back there,” Durant continued. “I just decided to drive. I think that Book was right next to me on the wing. That cut out from the wing allowed me to get some space so they can’t help off and help me in that driving lane. Stuff that we emphasize every day with spacing and was a good play for us.”

Mike Budenholzer and his in-game adjustments are the difference between the Suns standing at 6-1 and possibly sitting at 4-3. So far, he’s pulling all the right levers. It’s a long season, and there will be nights when adjustments don’t hit the mark or simply don’t work. But his commitment to making strong, late-game changes bodes well for this team.

It feels like we haven’t seen this level of in-game adaptability in Phoenix since Paul Westphal. Monty Williams was never known for in-game adjustments, and Frank Vogel mostly stood on the sidelines, arms folded. Even Mike D’Antoni didn’t stray far from his seven-man rotation.

Seeing Budenholzer make adjustments, paired with the talent and depth at his disposal, has brought an exciting start to the season. We don’t know yet where this journey will lead, but right now, it’s all about enjoying the ride. And so far, it’s a thrilling one.