Rookies Okobo, Bridges and Ayton help Suns avoid another bad milestone

When the deficit hit 26 with 10 minutes left in the game, it looked like the Suns would set another bad milestone by becoming the first team in 48 years to lose five straight games by 18 or more points.

But then, rookie point guard Elie Okobo had a very good fourth quarter, and the Suns avoided another blowout loss by losing to Oklahoma City ONLY by seven points, 117-110.

Elie Okobo had by far his best game in the United States, including Summer League, preseason and regular season with 18 points (3 of 6 on threes), seven assists (versus only 3 turnovers) and five rebounds in 31 minutes of play.

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Isaiah Canaan suffered an ankle injury in the first half, opening the door for Okobo to have his first real action of the season.

Deandre Ayton had a solid double-double (16 and 11, with three assists and steal) while Mikal Bridges helped in a lot of non-stat ways and finished with a plus-16 in 22 minutes on the night.

Among the veterans, Ryan Anderson had one of his best games of the season with 15 points and five rebounds and T.J. Warren added in 18 points and eight rebounds.

No one else really had a good game, so let’s stop there.

And thank the young guys for not losing by 18-plus again.

Phew.