PHOENIX –One of the few bright spots of the 2024-2025 season for the Phoenix Suns was the emergence of center Bol Bol. The 25-year-old hasn’t gotten many opportunities since being drafted back in 2019. However, he finally looked to find himself as a permanent piece of the Suns rotation near the end of the season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On February 7th, Bol Bol appeared in 16 straight games, 10 of which were starts. During this stretch, he averaged 21 minutes per game, scoring 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks on 51.1% shooting. The 7’3 center was playing the best basketball of his career, but after this stretch, he only appeared in five of the team’s last 16 games. What changed?
Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
According to senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes, head coach Mike Budenholzer was “irate” at Bol Bol after an incident on March 12th against the Houston Rockets. Near the end of the 2nd quarter, there was an altercation between Mason Plumlee and Steven Adams. Many players ran to separate the two big men, but not Bol Bol, who decided to shoot layups during the scuffle, which made Budenholzer furious.
Haynes on Suns Budenholzer and Bol Bol beef:
Budenholzer was irritated that Bol Bol didn’t run to help his fellow teammate, and he quickly acted by shutting the big man out of the rotation. During the 16-game stretch with Bol Bol in the rotation, the Suns were 5-11. After the March 12th incident, Phoenix went 6-10, with Bol Bol getting limited play.
Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The firing of Budenholzer could open up a Bol Bol return to the franchise for his third season in the Valley. Haynes didn’t mention Bol Bol’s reaction to the benching, but one can assume the 25-year-old didn’t appreciate being shut out of the rotation.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
