Suns Praise Damion Lee for Late Game Heroics vs. Mavericks
Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee was exiting the podium with Devin Booker passing him following the 107-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
"I told you don't worry about that" Booker said to Lee before dapping him up.
Lee briefly mentioned to media he wasn't happy with his plus-minus while he was on the floor. He finished -7 on the night.
That can be forgiven, however, as Lee came up clutch for the Suns down the stretch of the second half, hitting 3-of-5 three-pointers to help Phoenix overcome a 22-point deficit in their season opener.
Lee sank the last shot of the game, a fading jumper off to the side of the rim with under ten seconds left.
The Suns have stars such as Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton on the roster. Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges are also strong starters.
Yet it was Lee who buried the Mavericks in a moment that frankly the entire city of Phoenix needed after what transpired last season. Yet this is a new year, and Lee came through when his team needed him the most.
“I just think guys who have been in those situations, who have been in those environments, like he was in at Golden State, like not much phases a guy like that. If it does phase him, he knows how to deal with it and he’s been around guys who have walked through those situations before," Monty Williams said of Lee following the game.
"I think that rubs off on you and his ability to bounce back when he gave up that ‘and one’ to tie the game, to be able to come back and the willingness to take that shot, let alone make it, says a lot about who he is. I just feel guys who have been in those environments, who have been in those practices, who have been in those games, they handle those situations a lot better than guys who haven’t.”
Booker shortly added to the praise.
“It is unbelievable, but I knew it was coming. He knows how to play the game and play the right way. Big ups to Golden State, they have that culture and that environment. You can see it is instilled in him, that is how they have been as successful as they have been," he said of Lee.
It's only one game, but with so many questions about Phoenix's bench heading into the season and their ability to supplement scoring, Lee answered the bell.
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