{"id":125197,"date":"2025-02-23T06:30:15","date_gmt":"2025-02-23T11:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=125197"},"modified":"2025-02-23T05:56:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T10:56:43","slug":"tyus-jones-bench-first-time-speaks-after-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/23\/tyus-jones-bench-first-time-speaks-after-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyus Jones Comes Off Bench For First Time, Speaks After Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season ended in major disappointment for the Phoenix Suns. They were unceremoniously swept from the playoffs in the opening round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a shocking exit for a team that had championship aspirations. Many pointed to the fact that Phoenix didn\u2019t have a true point guard as a reason they didn\u2019t reach their ceiling. That changed once they signed Tyus Jones<\/a> in the offseason, but he came off the bench for the first time on Saturday due to substandard play.<\/p>\n

Tyus Jones Comes Off Bench For First Time, Speaks After Game<\/h2>\n

Tyus Jones Gets Benched<\/h3>\n

Losers of seven of their last eight outings entering Saturday, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer has been tinkering with the starting lineup of late, trying to find a winning formula. He did so again Saturday as Phoenix went on the road to take on the Chicago Bulls. For the first time this season, the 28-year-old Jones started the game on the bench. He had started each of his first 54 appearances in his first season with the Suns.<\/p>\n

Reinserted into the starting lineup was Bradley Beal<\/a>. It was the three-time All-Star\u2019s first start since January 4. The move worked, at least for one game, as the Suns defeated the Bulls by the score of 121-117<\/a>. In his 38 minutes of action, the 31-year-old Beal had a productive outing, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Jones received 20 minutes of playing time as a reserve in the win. He finished the contest with two points (0-5 from field, 2-2 from foul line), three rebounds, six assists, and no turnovers. Suns reporter Duane Rankin posted some of Jones\u2019 thoughts after the game. The 10-year veteran said about his move to the bench,<\/p>\n

“We’re trying to right the ship, trying to figure it out. Coach came to me, let me know that’s what we were going to do. All for it.”<\/p>\n

\n

"We're trying to right the ship, trying to figure it out. Coach came to me, let me know that's what we were going to do. All for it."<\/p>\n

Tyus Jones on Suns coach Mike Budenholzer replacing him in the starting lineup with Bradley Beal. <\/p>\n

Jones 2 points, 6 assists and 0 turnovers in\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/twQ7i8C26J<\/a><\/p>\n

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n