Phoenix Suns pull off opening night shocker in blowout of Kings
By Ronald Agers
The Phoenix Suns started slowly with bad 3-point shooting and Sacramento’s Buddy Hield’s nuclear shooting. After halftime, adjustments shut the Kings down.
All Phoenix Suns fans should be walking around like peacocks until the next game against the Denver Nuggets. Why? They have the right to say the Phoenix Suns are now in first place in the Western Conference.
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Sure, the Suns won their season opener last year before the bottom fell out to an awful 19-63 record. Moreover it might sound petty after just one game, but with Monty Williams at the helm, this win sure feels different after a close to 30-point blowout of a potential playoff contender.
The Phoenix Suns recovered from a bad shooting start to roll past the Sacramento Kings 124-95 in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night.
Williams had the chance to go deep into the bench, playing everyone on the active roster. Ten of those players contributed at least five points. Six Suns players scored in double figures with Ricky Rubio setting the table scoring 11 points, dishing out 11 assists, collecting six rebounds and swiping four steals.
It seems that Rubio is intent on showing what a three-year deal worth $51 million is worth.
Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 9-of-14 from the field.
Williams showed why his services were wanted by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Suns this summer based on his coaching debut. Williams coached the New Orleans Hornets for five seasons from 2010-15 and was fired under peculiar circumstances.
It’s wonderful that he got another opportunity with Phoenix. He ran circles around Luke Walton, out-coaching him with in-game adjustments for the second half.
This game was a reunion of sorts for a few former members of the Suns organization.
One of Walton’s assistants is Igor Kokoskov, who coached the Suns last season before getting fired after just one year and a 19-63 record. Trevor Ariza made his return after being traded to the Washington Wizards that brought Kelly Oubre Jr. to town. He must have left a bad taste in the mouths of the Phoenix Suns fan base. He got booed seemingly every time he touched the ball.
Richaun Holmes made his return after leaving in free agency. He scored one point.
Here’s some takeaways from an impressive Phoenix Suns win.