PHOENIX – Mason Plumlee played 26 minutes off the bench in Monday's home win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Two days later, after the Phoenix Suns finished practice, the big backup was asked if he knew how many shots he took during that stretch.

Plumlee laughed.

“I don’t think I tried,” he said.

While Jusuf Nurkić struggled, coach Mike Budenholzer leaned on Plumlee against the Lakers, and in the final minutes Plumlee made one of the bigger plays of the night. With the Suns leading 105-104 with 90 seconds left, Devin Booker shot for an open three-pointer from the left corner. He missed it.

Plumlee grabbed the offensive rebound off the Lakers' Anthony Davis, an extra possession when Phoenix needed it most. The Suns moved the ball around the perimeter until it reached forward Royce O'Neale on the right wing. O'Neale faked a pump and dribbled into the lane, throwing a smooth runner that buzzed.

This year's suns are different. Last year's bank* struggled to make an impact. This year's bench is helping the Suns (3-1) win games. In last Saturday's win over Dallas, it was O'Neale who made a layup just before the buzzer in the third quarter and ran downfield to block a layup, a bang-bang play that galvanized his team. On Monday, Plumlee got the game-winning rebound.

(*This time last season, Phoenix's top reserves consisted of Eric Gordon, Chimezie Metu, Jordan Goodwin, Josh Okogie, Drew Eubanks, Keita Bates-Diop, Yuta Watanabe and Nassir Little. Of that group, only Gordon, Okogie and Eubanks on an NBA roster this season.)

Against the Lakers, Plumlee didn't attempt a field goal or free throw, but he did grab ten rebounds. When he was on the court, the Suns outscored Los Angeles by 23 points. Last season, only Golden State's Draymond Green and New Orleans' Naji Marshall played 26 minutes or more without attempting a shot. Both did so by losing their efforts.

“Basketball, I think that’s what makes it a beautiful sport,” Budenholzer said. “There are so many ways to influence the win. (Plumlees) fringe presence. Its verticality. Defensive rebound. Communication. Get to the screens. In and out of screens. Be a threat. And all without a field goal attempt.”

O'Neale made an even bigger impression. Phoenix acquired the 6-foot-2 forward at the trade deadline last season, but O'Neale had an inconsistent second half. (He shot 1 of 18 over a three-game stretch). The start of this season was different. O'Neale was outstanding. According to Statmuse, he is plus-71 through four games, the highest point total of any reliever in the league. Plumlee is ninth at plus-37.

Always brings with it this hustle and bustle 😤

Royce O'Neale is tied for FIRST place @NBA this season with a plus/minus of +71! pic.twitter.com/QwZ3IkFk82

– Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 29, 2024

“We have a lot of great basketball players and a lot of high-character guys who are comfortable being stars in their roles,” point guard Tyus Jones said. “They’re fine doing the dirty work. If you have a group of 1 to 15 that just wants to win, they're going to do whatever you ask on any given night, whether it's scoring, setting up a screen to get someone in the game, getting on the floor, to get a free ball, or cheering from the sideline… That’s how you create a winning culture.”

Phoenix's Big Three played well, but the team's performance went deeper. His most valuable players in two weeks:

5. Ryan Dunn. The first-year forward has had rookie moments, but he doesn't look like a rookie. Dunn shoots confidently. He defends without fear. “He has a mature lifestyle,” Booker said. “His body is developed. He's not skinny. He doesn't need to gain weight or get stronger. His athleticism is already at the NBA's top level and he's using it. He'll learn some things along the way that will make things easier, but having competition for screens and just wanting to compete, that's step 1 and he's got that.”

4. Bookers. He had 33 points in the win over the Lakers, but overall Booker, who turned 28 on Wednesday, hasn't shot as well as he could. Nobody on the Suns is worried.

3. Bradley Beal. Despite missing a game with elbow problems, Beal looks comfortable, a state he rarely achieved last season, his first in Phoenix. He played well and has room to grow. “Brad's had a positive impact for a long time,” Budenholzer said. “He’s just so versatile and so capable. Defensively, he can overcome some difficult matchups and use his athleticism and strength. So, yeah, we just have to keep getting more great possessions for him.”

Royce O'Neale defends Anthony Davis in Monday's win over the Lakers. According to Statmuse, O'Neale is plus-71 in four games, which is the best for a bench player. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2. O'Neale. O'Neale is an eight-year veteran and the value is off the charts. He gave Phoenix whatever it needed. In Monday's win, he, along with Beal and Dunn, ensured that LeBron James scored 11 points on 3 of 14 shots. He finished the game with 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. He made similar contributions every night.

“He plays tenacious, winning basketball,” said star forward Kevin Durant. “Undersized but capable of guarding 1-5. To be able to penetrate the color. He handles it better and shoots the floater. He obviously shoots threes. Rebounding. Block shots. … The guys are starting to understand what they have to do to help us win.”

1. Durant. At some point, the 36-year-old Durant will show his age. This is not the right time.

Phoenix's long-term success will ultimately depend on the production and availability of Booker, Durant and Beal. This is how the team is structured. But a stronger bench — which also includes guards Grayson Allen and Monte Morris — means the Suns are better equipped to handle adversity. A free night. A thigh injury. Budenholzer has options. Against the Lakers, that meant facing Plumlee deep into the fourth quarter, and the reserve big man grabbed the biggest rebound of the game.

“Especially for the duration of this season, you have to contribute from everywhere,” Plumlee said. “Royce was great in four games. We have a strong team, so I think more people will be added as the year progresses.”

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(Top photo of Royce O'Neale and Kevin Durant celebrating Saturday's victory over Dallas: Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)