Drew Eubanks brought much needed energy at the rim in Phoenix Suns’ loss to OKC Thunder

The Phoenix Suns shot a lousy 2-for-21, including 1-for-8 in the fourth quarter in their home loss to Oklahoma City.

There was a positive in the first three periods as they hit nearly 47% overall and finished the game outrebounding the Thunder 52-33, which was boosted by the rim pressure from Drew Eubanks.

“He was great. He’s always playing with high energy and he lifts us up," Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said postgame. "Sometimes he’s able to put up some scoring numbers like he did tonight and put the ball in the basket. But his screening, rebounding, and defense is his biggest role on this team. When we get an offensive performance like that from him tonight that’s the bonus.”

Phoenix's backup big was the game's best and most active inside presence on offense. He contributed a nearly perfect 7-of-9 FG for his season-high 15 points, all in the paint including four dunks, five rebounds, and an assist in 21 minutes. Eubanks' only misses were a six-footer late in the first quarter and a two-handed missed jam early in the fourth. In the latter play, he caught the ball after it bounced out while hanging on the rim and almost put it back in but was called for a basket interference turnover.

“Just the guys making the right play," Eubanks said about what led to his performance. "(Oklahoma City is) a paint, low man type of team where the guy that’s in the dunker.

"KD (Kevin Durant) and Brad (Beal) draw a lot of attention so that just left me open. That was something before the game, too. Coach wanted to get more action from me out of the dunker. I know we didn’t get any lobs but that’s something they were talking about.”

At 6-foot-10, 245 pounds, Eubanks understands his role to come in and be a catalyst in the restricted area and in pick-and-rolls to reliably catch pocket passes as he slips to the hole, and help extend possessions.

Eubanks is averaging 7.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and two assists per game this season, and his 1.6 offensive rebounds is third behind starting center Yusuf Nurkic's 2.9 and Josh Okogie's 1.9 this season.

Eubanks tied Keita Bates-Diop on four offensive rebounds of their total 17 to Oklahoma City's six on Sunday, which led to Phoenix's nine second-chance points to OKC's mere three.

“We got a lot of 3-point shooters, so as many tap-outs as I can get, rebounds that we can get, the best time to shoot a 3’s after an offensive rebound. That’s one of the things I’m trying to do, just energy plays," Eubanks said.

On defense, he also uses his agility and size to guard bigs or switch to small players around the perimeter, and is Phoenix's best rim protector at 1.5 blocks per contest. Nurkic has produced a one-block average. But he's much thicker and slower at 7 feet and 290 pounds, lacking what Eubanks provides but enabling spacing for the offense and is a formidable passer as Phoenix's third-best in assists (4.6).

Eubanks entered Sunday's game after Nurkic quickly picked up two fouls within the first three minutes guarding fellow 7-footer and highly versatile Chet Holmgren (18 points, three 3s, 50% FG, six rebounds, four assists). Holmgren scored five of Oklahoma City's first seven points.

Holmgren hit another 3 a few minutes later to push up the score to 19-11, but Eubanks went to work and scored six as Phoenix outscored Oklahoma City 16-10 run for the remainder of the opening period.

“I think Chet’s just a lot more agile than Nurk is,” Eubanks said. “He does better on guys like Vucevic and Jokic, slower, bigger guys. I got a good combination of physicality and athleticism, which I think matches up well with how Chet plays.

"He’s not gonna really want to bang in the post too much. He’s gonna try to take you off the dribble. That’s my job. That’s been my calling card for my six years in the NBA. Just bringing energy off the bench. Stars are gonna do their thing but it's my job to bring substance.”

In Eubanks' six pro years, had his best year in Portland two seasons ago posting 14.5 points, shot 64.6%, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

But in his first season in Phoenix, he knows his role will continue to grow as the team works through its current struggles (4-6, ninth in Western Conference, lost four of the last six) and Big 3 get more continuity as Devin Booker and Beal get healthier playing with Durant.

“This is my first run with a championship-minded team," Eubanks said. "All the teams that I played on, San Antonio, Portland to a degree last year have all been established teams with established play styles, whereas this team, coming from every corner of the league. I don’t really have a timetable but I know getting Book back will help a lot and just more time playing together.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Drew Eubanks brought much needed energy to Suns in loss to Thunder