Phoenix Suns: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

9. Shorthanded Suns show growth in another OT win over Pelicans

It’s hard to put too much stock in an early April game between two extremely shorthanded teams, especially when all the “growth” seen from the youngsters directly contradicts the volatile roller coaster ride that came in the 79 games before it.

However, there’s no denying the Suns’ second overtime game against the New Orleans Pelicans this season was surprisingly fun despite Devin Booker, Tyler Johnson, Kelly Oubre Jr., T.J. Warren, Deandre Ayton and Richaun Holmes all being sidelined.

Although they were facing a Pelicans side playing without Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and E’Twuan Moore, it was encouraging to see Dragan Bender‘s well-rounded performance (11 points, 10 rebounds, seven blocks, six assists), Ray Spalding‘s first career double-double (21 points, 13 rebounds) and Jamal Crawford heat up off the bench (28 points).

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Josh Jackson was the star of the night, however, finishing with a season-high 35 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He went 15-for-29 from the field, but the most impressive aspect was his 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range, including the dagger with 1:23 left. This wasn’t a one-off fluke, but rather, a reflection of his progress from long range over the last few months.

No one will confuse Jackson with a 3-and-D wing now, nor will they put much stock in what he, Bender, Spalding or anyone else showed in an ultimately meaningless tank-off game. But against all odds, this regular season home finale wound up being an entertaining and encouraging performance nonetheless.