The G League squad improved to 2-0 at home.
TEMPE — Just as a more complete Phoenix Suns rotation yielded more satisfactory results on Tuesday, a more complete Valley Suns (5-3) rotation did the same in a 136-113 win over the Stockton Kings (5-2) at Mullett Arena on Wednesday.
Two-ways TyTy Washington Jr. (17 points, seven assists) and Jalen Bridges (21 points, four assists) made their returns after spending some time with Phoenix, and they were back to being focal parts of the offense right from the jump.
The two accounted for three of the team’s first four buckets and many more throughout the win.
David Stockton provided some separation in the second quarter when he took over to account for 13 straight Suns points, including hitting two 3s.
DAVID STOCKTON IS IN THE ZONE!
The @GLeagueSuns floor general just scored 11 PTS in less than 3 MIN on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/WLPRmRXxQL
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) November 28, 2024
After his second 3, the Kings called a timeout and Stockton responded by setting the tone defensively out of it, nearly forcing a turnover with pestering hands. He finished with 18 points and a game-high nine assists.
“His ability just to control the game, see what’s happening out there, it’s like another coach on the floor,” coach John Little said postgame. “So for us just to play and get into the flow of things, he’s got a great understanding of the game. Just makes it a little bit easier for everyone else on the floor.”
By halftime, the Suns had turned a two-point deficit after one into a 16-point lead.
In the second half, the two-ways kept up the onslaught of 3-pointers, eventually extending the lead out to more than 30 points. Valley native Paul Watson got in on the fun with a 3 and highlight dunk of his own.
Jaden Shackelford has been on a heater of late but came off the bench with the two-ways back with the squad after some time with Phoenix.
He quickly hit a 3 to continue his recent trend but then missed three others in the opening quarter. He shook off the rocky start to lead the team with 22 points on 5 of 10 shooting from deep.
As a team, the Suns shot 23 of 44 on 3s, giving their total 27 more points from the category than the Kings got, who were led by Boogie Ellis’ 23 points.
Rookie big man Tyrese Samuel had an eye-catching night with exceptional size, athleticism and overall tools, although his hands and overall feel leave something to be desired at this stage in his development.
That’s totally okay; that’s exactly where the G League can be useful. Plus, Samuel (six rebounds) was a key part of keeping a good rebounding Kings team at bay (Suns tied the Kings with 38 rebounds).
Little was impressed with Samuel’s high motor and defensive tenacity, as well as his ability to catch in traffic and finish during the 10-point outing. He said the vets on the roster, such as Stockton and Mamadi Diakite, will help him get more comfortable in the reads.
As a final note, Little said pregame Collin Gillespie, Phoenix’s third two-way player, has been putting in work to rehab an ankle injury suffered in the G League season opener and will be back “before you know it.”