Phoenix Suns: Top 20 plays of the 2018-19 NBA season

14. De’Anthony Melton rejects Jalen Brunson at the rim

The Suns were an average shot-blocking team in 2018-19, and didn’t really have a prolific rim protector to speak of. There weren’t a ton of highlight rejections that stood out this season, but De’Anthony Melton’s at-the-rim denial of fellow rookie Jalen Brunson in January was a memorable one.

With Phoenix up by one and the Dallas Mavericks on the break just before halftime, Brunson was cleared for liftoff just outside the arc in the paint, rising with the left hand. Melton was having none of it, sending it to the corner where T.J. Warren tracked it down. Melton zipped the other way and the Suns’ counterattack was on, as he quickly found Mikal Bridges for 3 in the corner. In less than 10 seconds, Melton’s block led to a five-point turnaround.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1083192338602590208

13. Kelly Oubre Jr. posterizes two Clippers on the same night

Feb. 13 marked yet another low point in a series of lows, as the Suns’ losing streak extended to 15 straight losses in a 27-point beatdown at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers. However, at least Kelly Oubre Jr. took two prisoners with him in a losing battle.

In the first half, the founder of the Valley Boyz drove past Garrett Temple and flushed one home with the left hand, tumbling to the floor after finishing strong at the side of the rim. In the second half, he claimed his second victim, driving straight past Landry Shamet and slamming one home past Ivica Zubac‘s outstretched arm. The Clippers won the war, but damn it if Oubre’s victories at the rim weren’t fun to watch.