The Phoenix Suns ended a four-game losing skid with a 109-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers last night. It was the debut of the new Suns starting five, with Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic being benched ahead of the game.
Suns star guard Devin Booker didn’t see the benching coming, exclaiming his surprise when it happened before complimenting his teammates for remaining professional.
“Something I didn’t expect coming. But Brad responded well, Nurk responded well, they didn’t let it weigh in the locker room. It was an important and big part of our win tonight.”
“That’s the biggest part. It takes a lot of people, a lot of egos to put that to the side and take it for what it is, and still perform at a high level. It’s a true testament to their professionalism.”
"Something I didn't expect coming, but Brad responded well, Nurk responded well. They didn't let it weigh in the locker room. It's was important and big part of our win tonight."
Devin Booker on Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic coming off bench in Suns win over 76ers. #Suns pic.twitter.com/HBSwXwSaIN
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 7, 2025
Beal had one of his best games of the season off the bench, putting up 25 points (10-15 FG), 5 assists, one steal, and one block in the win. He led all Suns in scoring, proving that he might still have a future on the franchise as trade rumors around him continue to heat up.
His starting five replacement Ryan Dunn put up 15 points (6-11 FG) in a great two-way performance, indicating he might be better off starting ahead of Beal due to his defensive talent.
Jusuf Nurkic’s benching was a positive. Nurkic put up five points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench while starter Mason Plumlee grabbed seven rebounds alongside two points. Nurkic is averaging 9.4 rebounds and 8.6 points this season.
In my opinion, it was rookie Oso Ighadaro who looked the best, putting up eight points, six rebounds, and three assists.
It seems the benching will continue, even though Beal is definitely a starting-caliber player still in the NBA. While he can’t produce at the All-NBA level his $50.2 million salary dictates he can, he could be extremely effective as a sixth man if he accepts that role long-term. Otherwise, the Suns may apply more pressure on him to accept a trade away from the franchise to a destination he hasn’t pre-approved.
Beal is averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season.
Mike Budenholzer Explained His Thinking Behind The Change
As many speculate Beal’s benching comes as a result of potential trade talks where he’s moved away to facilitate a Jimmy Butler acquisition, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer revealed the real reason. The coach made it clear that the Suns needed a switch-up like this before the game even tipped off.
“I just feel like we needed to make a change throughout a 48-minute game. You gotta figure out your best combinations, the best ways to find success. They are two important players to us. Two very good players for us. We just felt like we needed to make a change. Conversations… are happening daily. Can’t deny that… All those guys are in this together. It’s been good, healthy conversations.”
The coach was vindicated on the court, with Beal looking comfortable as the team’s sixth man on a night Booker struggled to score. The fit in Phoenix will be clanky with three high-volume scorers, so we should keep our eyes peeled for potential Beal trades from now until the deadline, no-trade clause be damned.
With this win under their belt, the Suns’ new starting five will hope to impress in their next outing against the Charlotte Hornets tonight.
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