Phoenix Suns: 3 takeaways from preseason opener vs. Blazers

The Phoenix Suns opened their 2017-18 NBA preseason action with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Here are three takeaways from the game.

Preseason is preseason, but after being deprived of NBA basketball since June — and deprived of Phoenix Suns basketball since April — Tuesday night’s preseason opener was a welcome return to the court for this young team.

In a 114-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on the road, the Suns piled on 41 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 12-point deficit entering the final frame. Phoenix trailed by 17 at the break, but used a strong performance from Mike James, Troy Daniels and T.J. Warren in the second half to mount the unlikely comeback.

Warren led the Suns with 24 points, while Devin Booker chipped in 19 points and five assists. Troy Daniels added 15 on 5-of-11 shooting from downtown, Alex Len finished with a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double after not playing in the first half, James had 11 points and rookie Josh Jackson finished with 14.

There’s only so much stock you can put in preseason games, especially in the second half when the benches clear and garbage time makes up entire fourth quarters. But there were some recurring themes throughout the night, not including the fact that Mike James can still get up:

Len’s strong performance off the bench was a great sign, but it’s also worth noting it came against backups and third-stringers, mostly in garbage time. Daniels was brilliant from deep, but we already knew 3-point shooting is what he brought to the table.

So what other lessons are there to be learned? Here’s a look at the three most notable takeaways from the Phoenix Suns’ preseason opener.