Suns’ Alec Peters catches fire for career-high 36 in season finale win

Apr 10, 2018, 8:22 PM | Updated: 8:57 pm

Dallas Mavericks' Kyle Collinsworth (8) defends as Phoenix Suns forward Alec Peters (25) drives to the basket for a shot in the second half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

If Phoenix Suns rookie Alec Peters’ name didn’t ring a bell prior to Tuesday night, no one could blame you.

While he was selected in the 2017 NBA Draft, it was at No. 54 overall and he was not a factor in the team’s season.

On a two-way contract and jumping from the G League roster to the Suns’ roster routinely, Peters played in 196 total minutes prior to the season finale against the Dallas Mavericks.

So, naturally, Peters scored a career-high 36 points in 28 minutes off the bench during the team’s 124-97 win.

Known for his shooting and quick-fire release out of Valparaiso, the outburst was even more surprising when you consider Peters shot 10-of-45 from 3-point range entering the game.

He nearly hit his total for the whole season on Tuesday night, making a Suns rookie record eight three-pointers.

“AP got it going a little bit and it was fun to watch and his teammates turned him on because he’s such a hard worker,” Suns interim head coach Jay Triano said after the game.

Peters can catch and shoot the ball from any angle. Coming off a screen and turning toward the basket while shooting in one motion? No problem.

THIRTY-SIX FROM AL3C!!! pic.twitter.com/lCr10OABHP

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 11, 2018

Even when the pass is off and he fumbles the catch, Peters can still get the ball off in a quick enough fashion to get a good look.

Alec’s FIFTH three tonight! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cQvACCeiTE

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 11, 2018

Peters’ 36 tied Josh Jackson and Walter Davis for the fifth-most points scored in a game by a Suns rookie.

It appears Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle was amused by it all.

Rick Carlisle: “We had trouble stopping Larry Bird dressed up as Alec Peters.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 11, 2018

Peters was given the opportunity because both teams were ravaged by injuries in the last game of the season.

The Suns were without Devin Booker, Alan Williams, Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss, Troy Daniels, Elfrid Payton, T.J. Warren and Tyson Chandler while the Mavericks didn’t have Dennis Smith Jr., Harrison Barnes or Doug McDermott. That’s not even including the season-ending injuries to Brandon Knight, Isaiah Canaan, Dirk Nowitzki, J.J. Barea, Wesley Matthews and Seth Curry.

The final score did not tell the story of the full game.

The Suns trailed 54-44 at halftime of what was a game lacking any real energy.

From there, the Suns scored 80 points in the second half, the most they’ve scored in the final two quarters since March of 2009.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, only scored 44 and didn’t stop the Suns from putting up multiple highlight dunks.

🚨 CLEAR OUT! 🚨

INCOMING: DANUEL HOUSE JR. pic.twitter.com/3TpIFUbWrZ

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 11, 2018

The Suns finished the season 21-61, the worst record in the NBA.

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Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) goes up over Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. (1) to dunk as Aaron Harrison, left, Johnathan Motley (6) and Dwight Powell, right, watch in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley (3) defends as Dallas Mavericks forward Johnathan Motley (6) takes a shot in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) defends as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyle Collinsworth, right, attempts a shot in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) defends as Dallas Mavericks' Dwight Powell (7) drives to the basket in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns guard Shaquille Harrison defends as Dallas Mavericks' Aaron Harrison (9) attempts a shot in the first half half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Suns' Jared Dudley (3) defends as Dallas Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell (11) attempts a 3-point basket in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Johnathan Motley (6) dunks as Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) watches in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Johnathan Motley (6) takes a shot as Phoenix Suns' Danuel House Jr. (23), Alex Len (21), Davon Reed, second from right, and Tyler Ulis, right, defend in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) dunks against Phoenix Suns in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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