The Phoenix Suns’ second unit didn’t just chip in Tuesday night - it took over.
In a 133-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix got 81 points from its bench, a number that matched the highest bench total by any team in a game this season. It also landed as the third-most bench points in franchise history and the most the Suns have produced since Dec. 2, 1994.
That kind of production turned the game fast and kept it there. Phoenix improved to 4-6, while Los Angeles dropped to 2-8.
Jordan Ott pointed to the way the reserves played together as the difference.
"That unit really found some rhythm. Their ball movement, their pace, and of course, just their defensive activity really helps," Suns coach Jordan Ott said of the second unit after the win.
"And that’s what we found some last year. We got to find it again this year."
The bench was scorching from the floor, hitting 71.8% of its shots and 60% from 3-point range. That group accounted for 15 of Phoenix’s season-high 22 threes, which tells you how much damage it did from the outside.
Jalen Green said the energy was obvious from the jump.
"They were playing defense. They were moving the ball, sharing the ball, hitting shots, and the energy overall was there tonight," Suns guard Jalen Green said of the bench. "When they come out and play like that, teams are going to have a tough time guarding them."
Five Suns reserves finished in double figures, with Jordan Goodwin leading the way. Back after missing three games with a calf injury, Goodwin scored 18 points and went 6-for-7 from deep.
He’s become a key piece for Phoenix because of what he brings on defense and the way his offense has grown this season.
"Definitely I like to get a run going, I look at the bench and I see my guys. They were standing up and bringing the energy," Goodwin said. "I know they feed off of it so I just try to do my best just to go in there and just make plays, just try to get things happening."
The Suns now have a bench group that can swing a night in a hurry. Along with Goodwin, Collin Gillespie scored 12, Luke Kennard had 14, Ryan Dunn added 10 and Khaman Maluach finished with 11.
Dunn, in particular, has already made a noticeable jump. He’s averaging 5.8 points and shooting 50% from 3, and Goodwin sounded impressed with how quickly he’s grown into the role.
"He's doing a great job," Goodwin said of Dunn. "We all are on him pretty hard, but the way he responded this year and he had a good summer too. The way he’s responding is very impressive.
"I know me and him, we do a lot of the same things and us being out there together and us being on the same page together, it’s getting kind of scary. I think we got a stop today, we did our handshake and it was like me and you up here picking up full court. I love where it’s headed right now."
Phoenix will try to carry that momentum into Thursday night’s matchup with the Charlotte Hornets as the seven-game homestand continues.
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