The Phoenix Suns rolled past the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, handing Indiana its league-worst 11th loss of the season. The Pacers fell to 1-11, while the Suns continued their surge, winning their fifth straight to improve to 8-5 after a slow 3-5 start.
Phoenix controlled the game from the opening tip, outscoring Indiana in every quarter on the way to a dominant 35-point victory. Devin Booker once again led the offense with 33 points, seven assists and five rebounds, committing just one turnover. Dillon Brooks added 32 points on an efficient 12-for-18 shooting night.
Still, it was Oso Ighodaro who delivered the most surprising—and historic—performance of the night.
Ighodaro began the season as Phoenix’s starting center but was replaced by Mark Williams, who quickly seized the role. With Williams sidelined on Thursday, head coach Jordan Ott opted to keep Ighodaro in his sixth-man role and start Nick Richards instead. Even so, Ighodaro played increased minutes and made the most of the opportunity.
Across 26 minutes, Ighodaro produced 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting, along with seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks. His impact showed up dramatically in the box score: he finished with a plus-minus of +52, tied for the third-highest mark in NBA history. The only players ever to exceed that number are Gary Trent Jr. And Luc Mbah a Moute, who holds the record at +57, while Ighodaro’s mark ties Joe Smith and Santi Aldama.
The Suns now turn their attention to the Atlanta Hawks, who visit Phoenix on Sunday as the team looks to extend its winning streak to six games.
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