Year of the Dragon or Year of the Bol? On New Year’s Day 2024, it looked like the latter as Bol Bol played his best game as a Sun in the 109-88 victory.

Bol fell one rebound short of a dou-bol dou-bol with 11 points and 9 rebounds in 20 minutes. He had numerous scintillating plays that had Suns fans salivating, including this transition dunk between two defenders.

Minutes opened up for Bol due to the absence of Kevin Durant, who missed the game with a sore hamstring. It seemed like it might be a sleepy game for the fans with Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, and half the Blazers team also out. But Bol Bol stole the show and kept the fans entertained.

Eddie Johnson thinks Bol will play more minutes and could play alongside Kevin Durant in lineups soon.

In addition to Bol, Beal was the other Sun who shined bright. He led all Suns scorers with 21 points on 50% shooting in 34 minutes, chipping in 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. He had several nice drives and seems to be 100% healthy to start the new year. Jusuf Nurkic didn’t even hesitate in postgame, saying Beal changes everything for the Suns.

The steady play of Beal was needed not only with KD missing but Devin Booker having one of his worst games of the season. Book shot 4-16, ending with 10 points, though he did have 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Will it be the only game in which Bol outscores Booker? Time will tell.

If Book had too many fifths on New Year’s Eve, it didn’t seem to affect the rest of the team, as the Suns shot 47.5% and 37.9% from 3. They did shoot 22-33 from the free throw line, mainly due to Eubanks going 1-4 and Azubuike going 0-2. Azubuike ended up scoreless in 4 minutes of play. His dream run may be over.

The Suns also outrebounded the Blazers 47-36. They had 10 steals, 5 blocks, and held the Blazers to 41% shooting and 26% from 3. They are now on a 4-game winning streak and will face the resurgent Clippers on Wednesday. It will probably be win number 5 if Bol Bol ends up with another postgame interview like this one.