Suns’ Frank Kaminsky goes for career-high 31 points in win over Blazers

Phoenix Suns center Frank Kaminsky did something he had never done before in his NBA career on Wednesday night.

In a 119-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Footprint Center, Kaminsky posted a career-high 31 points to lead all scorers on the night.

“The guys had told me that was a career-high for Frank, I was just excited for him,” head coach Monty Williams said postgame. “I felt like a kid in there just cheering for him because to do what he does every day — I think I’ve said it — he’s a pro.

“His ability to mentally stay locked in emotionally, stay even-keeled and understand that he may not get the call, he may not get the call. And to do that day after day after day and come back the next day, get his work in and go home and have a great attitude says a lot about him.”

The man of the hour. pic.twitter.com/3bLIFqLJzF

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 11, 2021

He finished the night with 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting (66.7%) from the field while going 2-for-5 from three and ​a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line, which garnered some “MVP” chants from the Suns crowd.

Kaminsky also added seven rebounds, three assists and one block in his 31:31 minutes on the court.

The Suns center only needed three quarters of basketball to match his previous single-game points peak of 27.

Kaminsky led all scorers with 18 at the half, with Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Suns guard Devin Booker finishing the opening two quarters with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The seventh-year pro out of Wisconsin saw significant minutes on Wednesday night due to center Deandre Ayton missing the contest due to a right leg contusion and backup center Javale McGee getting into foul trouble early.

“Frank the tank” chants could also be heard throughout Footprint Center.

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