PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ revamped frontcourt impresses in season-opening win

Oct 31, 2013, 6:09 AM | Updated: 6:09 am

It’s just one game and it came against an underwhelming Portland Trail Blazers team, but the Phoenix Suns’ revamped frontcourt had a solid season debut in Wednesday’s 104-91 win at US Airways Center.

Despite operating somewhat shorthanded with the recent trade of Marcin Gortat and the suspension of forward Markieff Morris, Phoenix’s bigs left their mark on a game that opened something of a new era for the Suns, who were debuting new jerseys, a new coach and an overhauled roster.

Center Miles Plumlee, acquired in an offseason trade with the Indiana Pacers, scored 18 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked three shots — surpassing his 2012 season total for points and matching it in blocks.

“Things went my way to begin with, and the confidence just kept rolling,” Plumlee said. “All you can ask for is the opportunity.”

Forward Channing Frye — who missed all of last season because of an enlarged heart — scored seven points on 3-of-7 shooting, including a late bucket to help put Portland away. And rookie center Alex Len showed flashes of what led the Suns to take him No. 5 overall out of Maryland, though he struggled at times while scoring on his only shot attempt and picking up three fouls in eight minutes of action.

Forwards P.J. Tucker, Gerald Green and Marcus Morris also combined for 29 points — 18 of which came from Tucker — to go along with 13 rebounds.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minneso...

Kellan Olson

What Suns have to replicate, fix to avoid 3-0 hole vs. T-Wolves

The formula for the Phoenix Suns to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves is there. The doubt is in their ability to achieve that.

8 minutes ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the start of game one of the Western Conferenc...

Kellan Olson

Kevin Durant preaches execution over ‘rah-rah speeches’ for Suns

Kevin Durant did not choose to emphasize communication much as a key for the Suns to stay consistent and instead focused on execution.

15 hours ago

Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the second half in game one of the We...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ Grayson Allen questionable after re-injuring ankle vs. T-Wolves

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen is questionable for Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday after re-injuring his ankle.

15 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Is Kyler Murray in the Danger Zone with Marvin Harrison Jr.?

With there being widespread speculation that the Arizona Cardinals will take wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the 4th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Wolf & Luke wonder if he would be the right piece to help propel quarterback Kyler Murray to an explosive season.

17 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Suns’ superteam is failing ‘spectacularly’

With the Phoenix Suns in a 2-0 hole to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first round playoff series, Dan Bickley wonders if the team can even the series up and take it back to Minnesota.

20 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Do the Phoenix Suns have any fight left?

Video: Felisa Cárdenas and Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports Subscribe to the Arizona Sports daily newsletter: https://bit.ly/3QWcj1x Read articles from Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/ Download the Arizona Sports app: https://arizonasports.com/the-arizona-sports-98-7-fm-app/ Sign up for texts from Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/text-alerts/ Listen live to Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/listen-live/ Follow the team: https://bit.ly/3R0PIAJ ARIZONA SPORTS SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaSports/ X: https://x.com/azsports TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arizonasports987 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arizsports/ ARIZONA SPORTS PODCASTS: https://arizonasports.com/category/podcasts/

2 days ago

Suns’ revamped frontcourt impresses in season-opening win