Phoenix Suns coach, Frank Vogel, and guard Devin Booker have hailed Nigerian duo Chimezie Metu, Josh Okogie, and others for their 102-88 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Metu was in the starting lineup replacing the injured Kevin Durant while Okogie was on the bench but was in action for 18 minutes. He contributed three points, three assists, and two rebounds while Metu had 14 points five rebounds, and one assist. 

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Vogel said he was impressed with the output of his role players, especially after the news that Durant would miss the game due to injury.

“I want to credit our bench, I think it was that group in the second quarter with Bol, Chimezie at the four, five, Bradley Beal and Eric Gordon and then Josh Okogie,” Vogel said per AZ Central. “He (Okogie) brought great defensive energy, hustle plays, strips, loose balls, all those types of things and we were getting a lot of stops and getting out on the break.

“Things were getting a lot easier when you’re not taking the ball out of your basket and you’re not fouling, so credit those guys for staying ready and we had some games throughout this year where our bench got outplayed by the other team’s bench. Our bench tonight got the game ball.”