PHOENIX SUNS

Passing display: Suns fire 10 passes before Deandre Ayton and-1

Jul 8, 2021, 10:14 PM | Updated: Jul 9, 2021, 1:19 am

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis...

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

The Suns have built a foundation on sharing the ball, even as their backcourt tandem put together yet another historically strong game.

During Phoenix’s 118-108 win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, one play exemplified that spirit the best.

After getting the ball across the halfcourt line with the Milwaukee Bucks scrambling on defense, the Suns passed the rock 10 times to keep an effort-filled defense moving.

Eventually, it broke down.

Deandre Ayton finished the play wide open and finished the impressive passing display with an and-one.

You could see the glee of the entire Suns team afterward, as three players not named Ayton flexed a fist.

If you need to rewatch that to count how many passes were thrown, let these Suns fans help you:

“We actually talked about that play right after the game, me and Mikal (Bridges), and he was like, ‘I think that was the most pumped I’ve ever been after a play,’ and I was like, ‘Me, too. Same here.’

“When you’re playing like that, it’s fun. It’s fun, everybody’s touching it, you feel the energy of the ball. When you get it, you want to make a play for somebody else and something opens up always when it’s popping and moving like that.”

Though the Suns have been carried by their backcourt of Booker and Chris Paul, the passing attack came out as they buried 20 threes in Game 2. Phoenix finished with 26 assists.

“We have a saying with our team: ‘It’s called good to great,'” Paul said. “We pass up good shots to get great shots and it’s the unselfishness of our team. Any coach in America, I’m sure they would love to show their team that clip, and DA finishes at the end.”

Still, the ball movement and 20-of-40 three-point shooting came as Booker and Paul attacked despite a better defensive effort from Milwaukee compared to Game 1.

Their 113 combined points through the first two Finals games is the most by a starting guard duo in any Games 1 and 2 of the championship series since 1971, when such things have been tracked, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Booker and Paul, however, have empowered their teammates by being involved as willing passers as well.

“That’s just who we are,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “One of our pillars is sharing the ball. My time in San Antonio and being under (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) for all those years, I learned that when the ball moves like that, one, everybody gets to take ownership and, two, it can have an effect on the defense when you move the ball.

“Now it’s not commonplace in the NBA to have that many passes but that was a huge momentum play for us. But that’s who we have been for two years.”

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker warms up before Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo warms up before Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fans watch players warm up before Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) passes the ball while defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, left, shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns start Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, jumps for the ball next to Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton, middle, and forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer gestures during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, second from left, watches Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) defends a shot by Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague (5) and center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, bottom, reacts after being called for a foul on Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after contact during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after contact during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) reacts toward referee Zach Zarba during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, middle, shoots between Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, and center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Jimmy Eat World performs during halftime of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Jimmy Eat World performs during halftime of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, reacts with head coach Monty Williams during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, reacts with guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fans cheer during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, reaches for the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, middle, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, top, and forward Khris Middleton during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, jogs past head coach Monty Williams after shooting a three point basket during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25), forward Jae Crowder (99) and center Deandre Ayton during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) pulls down a rebound as Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul looks on during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, defends during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, left, greets forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo grabs his leg during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Fans cheer during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, center, greets fans during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, dunks over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, passes the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the sidelines during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis, left, scores as Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, bottom, looks on during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) 
              Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, right looks on during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool)
            
              Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig grabs his leg during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
            Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, celebrates with Jae Crowder after the Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Fans help Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton get up during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) jumps for the ball as Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson defends during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, celebrates with forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) walks past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, middle, cheers during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, dunks over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Fans cheer during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates with guard Chris Paul (3) after the Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, right, passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague (5) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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