The Phoenix Suns, sitting two games under .500 and one game behind the last play-in spot entering the NBA All-Star break, are looking for answers wherever they can find them. Between bad injury luck and plain underperformance, coach Mike Budenholzer may have just found a spark in longtime reserve and fan-favorite Bol Bol.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Prior to Budenholzer surprising everyone by throwing Bol into the fire for 24 minutes against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 7, the six-year forward played in just 14 games for Phoenix, averaging just 6.0 minutes, 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in those games.
Since the Utah games (four games and two starts), Bol is averaging 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game. In his first start, a 119-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, he shined, scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking four shots.
“We’re going to push this envelope,” Budenholzer said after that game about getting Bol more involved in the rotation.
Feb 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) drives against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Following their most recent game, a 119-111 loss to the Houston Rockets where Bol had 15 points, four rebounds and two blocks, he described his comfortability in this newfound role and how he still feels there’s room for growth.
“I feel like I’ve been showing glimpses of (what I can be for this team),” Bol told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic after the loss. “But I still feel like I’m not all the way in rhythm, this being my fourth game (after not playing in) however many games. As more games go on, I’m sure I’ll start to figure it out.”
As the Suns (26-28) enter the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak, anyone or anything will help them turn the tide. So whether it’s Bol or their two two-way guards Collin Gillespie and TyTy Washington Jr., any source of energy will do.
Kevin Durant praises Suns 2-way players Washington Jr., Gillespie after Rockets loss
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
