The Brooklyn Nets' dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving unsurprisingly leads the league as statistically the best pairing in the NBA early in the season. What comes as a bit of a shocker, however, is that the Phoenix Suns boast the second-best on-court partnership right now — and no, it doesn't include Devin Booker, Chris Paul, or Deandre Ayton.
As pointed out by Andy Bailer of Bleacher Report, Phoenix's Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson have emerged as the NBA's second-best duo behind Brooklyn's two superstars:
That's quite an anomaly early in the season, but it speaks volumes of just how outstanding Phoenix has been to open the campaign.
Interestingly, both Payne and Johnson have been coming off the bench for the Suns. Payne has averaged 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 18.7 minutes, while Johnson has put up 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in what is looking like a breakout year for the second-year power forward. Combined, the pair has knocked down 3.7 triples per game between them.
Needless to say, Phoenix's second unit has done a commendable job in helping the squad to five wins in the first six games of the season.
Much credit also needs to be given to the team's starting five, led by the trio of Booker, Ayton, and new recruit Chris Paul. As it is, the Suns have already secured impressive wins against the Dallas Mavericks, the Utah Jazz, and most recently, the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.