{"id":123550,"date":"2025-02-13T09:10:05","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T14:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=123550"},"modified":"2025-02-13T09:10:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T14:10:05","slug":"phoenix-suns-bol-bol-salvage-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/13\/phoenix-suns-bol-bol-salvage-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Suns Finally Turn To Bol Bol In Bid to Salvage Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite a quiet trade deadline with no major additions, Phoenix Suns<\/a> head coach Mike Budenholzer has turned to a new face in Bol Bol<\/a> to provide a spark on both ends. The team\u2019s dismal season has them below .500 with a 26-28 record<\/a> at the All-Star break. It puts them 11th in the Western Conference, with an uphill battle in the second half.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a disappointing and unexpected position for a team that boasts one of the NBA\u2019s most talented duos in Devin Booker<\/a> and Kevin Durant<\/a>. Poor health, inconsistency, and lack of cohesion have led to an alarming slide. <\/span>But after so long watching on from the sidelines, Coach Bud <\/span>has<\/span> finally allowed \u00a0Bol the chance to make an impact, an opportunity he <\/span>has<\/span> seized with both hands heading into the mid-season break.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns Finally Turn to Bol Bol in Bid to Salvage Season<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bol Bol Given Rare Starting Opportunity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Suns lack size, <\/span>which<\/span> is why the re-introduction of Bol has been a long time coming. The 25-year-old stands at seven-foot-three, allowing Durant to shift to SF and giving the lineup more length. Bol has appeared in five straight games, playing significant minutes in the last four. On Tuesday, the Suns gave him his first start with the franchise in their loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. He kept his starting spot the following night at the Houston Rockets. He has started 37 games in his career, mostly for the Orlando Magic. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the last four games<\/a>, Bol has averaged 16,0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks, including an 18-point and 14-rebound double-double in his first start. He produced four blocks, combining with Durant for nine in total. His second start was just as impactful, contributing 15 points and two blocks. In the absence of Booker, he was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Durant. Although the Suns have gone 1-3 in this stretch, Bol\u2019s presence has certainly made an impression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before this run, Bol had appeared <\/span>just<\/span> 12 times this season, playing fewer than 10 minutes in all but two games. It had been an underwhelming campaign for the player, who made strides last season under Frank Vogel. <\/span>This earned him a second contract in the Valley. A new coaching staff meant he had to work <\/span>back into the rotation, which he failed to do with limited minutes. But with the Suns\u2019 season in dangerous territory, Bol has been granted greater responsibility in the future<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Bol Bol over the last 4 games:<\/p>\n

15 PTS – 4 REB – 2 BLK
\n18 PTS – 14 REB – 4 BLK
\n19 PTS – 7 REB – 4 BLK
\n12 PTS – 3 REB – 3 BLK pic.twitter.com\/pQT0FyodCD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n