PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns notched a much-needed win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, which sounds like an exaggeration before taking into consideration the team’s overall health and form.
The return of Bradley Beal provided the Suns a jolt into the lineup, ensuring their Big 3 of Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant played their second full game together after a slew of injuries and misfortune stalled their beginning to the season.
Phoenix is now on their first winning streak in over a month.
Beal’s box score didn’t exactly shatter headlines with six points, three rebounds and seven assists, though the team was glad to see him back:
Suns HC Frank Vogel:
“I loved his floor game tonight; he did not force. Lot of times when you come back and you’re trying to get your rhythm, timing, and your legs under you, guys have a tendency to do that, but he didn’t do that. He really played extra pass basketball, just let the game come to him.
“If we have a team that is selfless, the way our three stars played tonight, not just Bradley, but Kevin (Durant), Book (Devin Booker) and Bradley (Beal) having 25 assists, with the way those guys score the basketball, we have a chance to be special this year.”
Suns PG Devin Booker:
“It is exciting. I am mostly excited for him, to get through the game, be healthy and be ready to get ready for the game Sunday. I know that it has been tough on him not being able to play, just rehab after rehab. I saw a lot of smiles on his face today, his mood was better. I have been in that seat before.
“The game does change everything when you are out there playing. So, I’m just happy to have him back.”
Suns SG Bradley Beal:
“There are a lot of threats out there, a lot of guys who are very versatile. We can shoot the ball really well, EG (Eric Gordon) and Grayson (Allen) have been shooting the leather off of it. Whether K (Kevin Durant) or I have the ball, you have to expect pull-ups, layups, dump offs, corner kick outs; you can’t guard everything. T