In the NBA’s glossary of terms used in the sport, assist-to-turnover ratio should have a particular face next to its meaning. That face would be current Phoenix Suns point guard Tyus Jones. The 28-year-old is now in his 10th season in the league, and his first with Phoenix. What has remained a common theme throughout his career, whether he’s been a starter or a reserve, is that he takes care of the ball and that he’s unselfish with the basketball.
That theme has continued for Jones this season for the Suns. Last night, with Kevin Durant making his return from injury, Phoenix defeated the Utah Jazz by the score of 134-126. Jones did what Jones does, finishing with 11 assists and zero turnovers.
Tyus Jones, One Of A Kind When Taking Care Of The Ball
Tyus Jones, Master Of The Assist-To-Turnover Ratio
A free agent last offseason, the Suns signed Jones to a one-year deal barely exceeding $3 million. The signing was widely seen as one of the better offseason moves by anyone. It was reported that other teams offered Jones more money, but Phoenix was able to offer him a guaranteed starting position. In 2023-24, the Suns went without a traditional point guard in their rotation.
After Friday night’s performance against Utah, Jones has appeared in all 24 games that the Suns have played. On the season, the 6-foot-1 guard has accumulated 168 assists and just 24 turnovers. That gives Jones exactly seven assists per turnover on the season.
Remarkably, Jones’ season-high in turnovers is just three which has happened twice. Friday night was the eighth game where he played mistake-free with the ball recording zero turnovers. It was also the fifth time that he reached a double-digit assist total.
Tyus Jones Holds Single Season Record For Best Assist-To-Turnover Ratio
Jones was selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the following four with the Memphis Grizzlies, and last season with the Washington Wizards.
Washington was his first opportunity to be a full-time starter. While the Wizards finished a miserable 15-67, Jones averaged 7.3 assists on the season and just one turnover. That is the best mark in a single season in NBA history. Who had the previous best mark? That would be Jones as well. He had a 7.04 assist-to-turnover ratio in 2021-22 with Memphis.
Prior to that, Jones was seen as one of the best backup point guards, particularly in his time with Memphis. He would start in games that Ja Morant was forced to miss, and the offense wouldn’t lose much traction without their star point guard.
For his career, Jones has now totaled 2,761 assists compared to just 490 turnovers. That is approximately a career 5.63 assist-to-turnover ratio. He has led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio for five straight seasons and seems to be on the way to a sixth.
Head coaches always stress the importance of taking care of the basketball. While Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer certainly does as well, he probably doesn’t have to as often due to having Jones on his side.
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