Phoenix Suns

2022 - 10 - 22

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Valley of the Suns"

Ranking every Phoenix Suns player in loss to the Portland Trail ... (Valley of the Suns)

Monty Williams shortened his rotation against the Portland Trail Blazers, relying heavily on Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton in the overtime loss.

Johnson wasn’t overly effective in his 22 and a half minutes, recording just five points on 2-for-9 from the floor and 1-for-6 from three-point range. If you can’t put him out there to put out a fire (e.g Lillard in this game), then he becomes fairly unusable and pointless in the rotation. Even in the game’s 113-111 conclusion, Phoenix’s Jock Landale had a chance to send it to a second overtime with a putback from Deandre Ayton’s deliberate missed free-throw.

5 takeaways from Phoenix Suns' overtime road loss to Portland Trail ... (AZCentral.com)

Phoenix Suns dropped to 1-1 after Friday night's overtime loss at Portland in their first road game of the season.

Williams then started the second with Paul and Johnson along with Landale, Okogie and Lee. Williams has said the bench play will be by committee, but he had Johnson start the fourth with four reserves —Okogie, Payne, Landale and Lee. The Suns kept answering Portland’s runs, but could never put it away. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or contact him at 480-787-1240. If he ever does on a consistent basis, Ayton will become that All-Star and so much more. Williams was proud of the effort. He dropped 3 on Okogie to cap his explosive half. Lee once again made key plays. Then later took out Ayton for Landale. The Blazers were having guards defend him on switches. However, right quad cramps sidelined Johnson in the fourth of the opener and he played through a sore tailbone Friday from falling hard to the floor after taking a hit on a charge in the first half. Ayton battled fatigue that showed in him getting back late on defense, but then he came up with a big block on Lillard with the game tied at 97-97, a big steal late in regulation with the game knotted and a huge 3-point play to start OT.

Here's What Damian Lillard Said to Deandre Ayton Before His ... (Sports Illustrated)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is a savvy veteran for many reasons. His consistent ability to hit shots from anywhere on the court on top of ...

[Uncertainty Ultimately Failed Extension Talks for Cam Johnson](https://www.si.com/nba/suns/nba/suns/analysis/phoenix-suns-cameron-johnson-uncertainty-extension-talks) [Suns-Mavericks Sets Viewership Records](https://www.si.com/nba/suns/news/phoenix-suns-dallas-mavericks-espn-viewership-record) [Steph Curry Hypes Damion Lee After Suns Win](https://www.si.com/nba/suns/nba/suns/analysis/golden-state-warriors-steph-curry-reaction-damion-lee-game-winning-shot) [Damion Lee Talks Confidence, Game-Winner vs. "I only asked him, I said 'have you ever been in this situation before?' because it's not an easy situation to be in because the whole game doesn't come down to one possession, there's a lot of things that happen ... He ignored me, and when he ignored me I was like I'm pretty sure he's thinking about it." The Suns dropped to 1-1 on the year, and following the game, Lillard explained what he told Ayton before the crucial set of free throws: Ayton missed the first free throw, putting Phoenix in a position where they needed to intentionally miss the second attempt in hopes of rebounding and putting it in to extend the game to another overtime. With just seconds left in overtime and the Suns needing two points to tie the game, Deandre Ayton stepped to the free throw line after being fouled on a shot attempt.

Game 2 Recap: Portland Trail Blazers Def. Phoenix Suns (Rip City Project)

The Blazers hosted their home opener against the Phoenix Suns, and behind a classic Damian Lillard performance, they were able to get the job done.

The bench struggled to get consistent scoring, but with 41 from Dame and contributions from everyone else, there’s potential here, especially if the rest of this starting lineup can get on the same page and consistently compliment each others games. We’ve seen this for years with Lillard, but after he was doubted and counted out following the injury he suffered in 2021 to end his season early, this was a great statement game to show that his demise was greatly exaggerated. [Portland Trail Blazers](https://ripcityproject.com/) have come out strong in the 2022/23 regular season, with two straight victories, and while they cruised to a win over Sacramento, this one was much harder, requiring Overtime to take down the very talented Phoenix Suns.

Lillard has 41 points Trail Blazers beat Suns 113-111 in OT (710 ESPN Seattle)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Damian Lillard scored 41 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns 113-111 in overtime Friday night for their.

“The last thing I want to do is put more pressure on a guy to get back on the floor. I turned to ask him for a call and he just like barked at me, `You make the call!'” Williams said. I just wait for our team to let me know when a guy is ready.” After Nurkic made free throws for Portland, Mikal Bridges made the second of two free throws to tie it at 102 with 37.1 seconds left. The Suns were coming off a 107-105 victory over Dallas on Wednesday in their season opener. “It’s the NBA,” he said.

On the night Damian Lillard signals his return, he allows protege ... (oregonlive.com)

Published: Oct. 22, 2022, 12:52 a.m.. Anfernee Simons vs. Suns. Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, front, is congratulated by ...

I found my footing and I found a good space to be in.’” And more important, Lillard showed that he is still capable of carrying a team. “So, once he gets to that launching pad, he gets it up higher than I do. Simons showed that he could fill CJ McCollum’s shoes in a big moment. “But he did it in practice the other day before the regular season started. “He’s more athletic than I am,” Lillard said. The basket gave the Blazers a 128-126 lead with 2.6 seconds to go. “You still have to look at yourself and know that, I’ve got to find those moments,” Lillard said, referring to Simons. So, I was just trying to calm myself down and have a better second half.” Simons had to come through because Lillard’s scoring slowed down in the second half. I had a couple of shots where I had to shoot last second. On Wednesday at Sacramento, Lillard went 5 of 18 from the field for 20 points during a 115-108 victory.

Damian Lillard reveals what he told DeAndre Ayton in viral clip (ClutchPoints)

With 1.2 seconds left in overtime, Portland Trailblazers center Jusuf Nurkic fouled Deandre Ayton to send the Phoenix Sun's center to the free throw line.

And then when he ignored me, I felt like he was thinking about it." “I just asked him, ‘have you ever been in this situation before?’ I wanted him to think about it a little bit,” Lillard said postgame. Damian Lillard, who finished the game with 41 points, walked over to Ayton at the charity stripe and asked him a simple question.