PHOENIX SUNS

Suns wing Mikal Bridges atop final NBA.com Defensive Player Ladder

Apr 13, 2022, 7:19 AM

Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges, the NBA’s iron man, is beginning to receive more praise for his efforts over 82 games per season.

After sitting behind Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Utah’s Rudy Gobert, Bridges sits atop Steve Aschburner’s final defensive player rankings for NBA.com. Aschburner had Bridges moving up to the top spot in his final order, ahead of Gobert and Boston’s Marcus Smart to finish the regular season.

The Phoenix Suns’ 25-year-old forward established himself in his fourth NBA season as the league’s peskiest bird of prey. On the team with the No. 1 record, Bridges is the guy assigned – not just matched up by position – to guard the other teams’ most prolific scorers.

He does it with agility, he does it with effort, he does it with wingspan and he does it better than any of his defensive-minded peers for the 2021-22 season.

Bridges contributed in a major way during his fourth season for the Suns. The team combined for a 106.8 defensive rating, the third-best in the NBA behind Boston and Golden State.

Aschburner also hits the nail on the head when it comes to matchups. Bridges has done well against the best of the best.

Part of his jump to the top one month after being No. 3 has to be Bridges’ role in shutting down Donovan Mitchell in the fourth quarter of the April 8 game in Utah.

Down 17 entering the quarter, Bridges kept Mitchell from scoring a single point, allowing for the Phoenix offense to outscore Utah 36-13 and complete the comeback in a 111-105 victory.

Statistically, 2021-22 was a career year for Bridges on the offensive side of the floor. His 14.2 points and 2.3 assists per game are the most he has averaged in four seasons, scoring 53.4% of his shots.

Shockingly, his 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks per game are the lowest in the small forward’s career. The defensive impact by Bridges has allowed the Suns to dominate this season and make history with 64 wins, even if the impact does not record as statistics in the final box score.

If Bridges were to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, it would be the first time a small forward won the award since Kawhi Leonard did six years ago. It would also be the first time the award would belong to a Suns player.

Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against De'Anthony Melton #8 of the Philadelph...
Kellan Olson

Suns find winning breakthrough vs. 76ers, Devin Booker stays hot

The Phoenix Suns finally found their breakthrough on Saturday to return to winning ways and avoid a collapse in the second half.
1 day ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a three-point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers ...
Jake Anderson

Devin Booker puts up MVP-esque performance in Suns’ win over 76ers, Joel Embiid

Suns' Devin Booker put up a MVP-esque performance in Phoenix's 125-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night at Footprint Center.
1 day ago
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives on Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the f...
Wills Rice

76ers’ James Harden out, Joel Embiid starts vs. Suns; Deandre Ayton out

The 76ers listed guard James Harden (left Achilles) as out, while MVP contender Joel Embiid (right calf) will start Saturday vs. the Suns.
1 day ago
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbling the ball get fouled by De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacrament...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns lose cool again, drop 3rd straight vs. Kings

No matter how well they play at the moment, the Phoenix Suns seemingly can't avoid losing control of a game at some point in the second half.
2 days ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts on the bench during the first half of the NBA game at F...
Austin Scott

By the numbers: How injuries have hurt the Suns’ consistency

The Suns have been dealing with injuries all season long. Here are a few numbers that show the impact injuries have had on the season.
2 days ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at ...
Arizona Sports

Report: Suns’ Kevin Durant progressing toward return vs. Timberwolves

Suns star Kevin Durant is progressing toward a Wednesday return against the Timberwolves after missing time due to a sprained ankle.
2 days ago
Suns wing Mikal Bridges atop final NBA.com Defensive Player Ladder