Bol Bol is making his first start with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies at Footprint Center after two strong performances in a back-to-back home games.
The 7-footer scored a season-high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks in Saturday’s loss to Denver after a 12-point effort in Friday’s overtime victory over Utah.
“I mean, it’s interesting,” said Suns coach Mike Budenholzer about Bol after Saturday’s game. “I think obviously he’s been around our group for a while, and I think there’s a lot of confidence from his teammates and I think that really helps him. He has a quiet way about him, but I think there is a lot of inner confidence, so it’s been good for him to get the opportunity, be ready for the opportunity, and take advantage of the opportunity.”
A fan favorite, Bol will start with Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards as the Suns (26-26) face the Grizzlies (35-17). This will be his 60th career game with Phoenix.
The Suns are down Bradley Beal (left great toe sprain), Vasa Micic (left ankle sprain) and Cody Martin (sports hernia).
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Bol is in his second season with the Suns. The 7-footer put up career numbers of 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in his one season with the Orlando Magic in 2022-23 before landing in Phoenix.
He averaged 5.2 points in 43 games last season under Frank Vogel, but Bol was playing even less under Budenholzer. He only played in 14 of Phoenix’s first 50 games a grand total of 83 minutes and 51 seconds, but with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal out, Bol logged 24 minutes versus the Jazz.
He was averaging just 3.1 points before his 12-point effort in the overtime win over Utah. Bol followed that up with a season-high 19 points in 33 minutes Saturday against the Nuggets.
“He played extremely well, was ready when his name is called, created an opportunity,” Suns guard Tyus Jones said. “He affects the game in so many different ways. He’s so unique, uses his length extremely well, can shoot the three, offensive rebounds, blocks, you know, being active on defense. He just affected the game in so many different ways, so just proud of him for staying ready for when his opportunity came”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrakin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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