Ighodaro provides two highlight-reel dunks, improved pick-and-roll finishing in Magic loss
Oso Ighodaro is learning how to better use his screening to create more opportunities for the Suns in the pick-and-roll.
PHOENIX – The Suns are looking for a center to regularly be a reliable pick-and-roll finisher. On Tuesday, rookie Oso Ighodaro made his first-career start in the Suns’ 109-99 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Ighodaro, who was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 40 overall pick in the second round of this year’s NBA Draft and traded to Phoenix, scored a career-high 12 points and tallied seven rebounds. He also assisted a teammate twice and had two steals.
“I thought he’s been preparing for that moment,” Suns starter Tyus Jones, who finished with 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting and eight assists, said. “So, I was excited for him, happy for him, a lot of hard work going into that, and it’s not going to be his last.”
Ighodaro, who is perceived to be the Suns’ third-string center or power forward, started in place of the injured Kevin Durant.
Nerves appeared to be high for Ighodaro as he committed a first-quarter turnover. However, he has been a poised rookie and managed to impact the quarter with an offensive rebound and two more boards on the defensive end (three total).
Ighodaro started next to center Mason Plumlee as usual starter at center, Jusuf Nurkic, missed the contest with a left ankle sprain.
“They’re obviously loading up on [Devin Booker] and Tyus right now,” Ighodaro said. “So, just find ways to get guys open and then be playmakers when we get the ball.”
Even though Ighodaro is working on finishing, he had two monster dunks in the second quarter that excited fans.
“It’s up to me to read the defense and make the next right play,” Ighodaro said.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Ighodaro’s growth out of the short roll has been positive.
“The good thing that you’ve seen a little bit of his athleticism, a little bit of his dynamic where he’s playing through with finishing,” Budenholzer said. “Getting on top of the rim, being above the rim.
“I think continuing to learn screening angles, continuing to learn variety, continuing to learn how to get physical hits and things like that I think is where he can improve.”
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