INDIANAPOLIS — A day after Charles Barkley said the Phoenix Suns “stink,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called them “soft” based on what the “NBA people” are saying as he put it.

Actions speak louder than words, and that’s the case if you’re Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal. While his name has been thrown around in trade rumors involving Jimmy Butler, another curveball was thrown his way.

Bradley Beal made the most of an unfamiliar role Monday, scoring 25 points in his first game off the bench in nine years. Beal scored 20 points in the second half as Phoenix overcame an early 12-point deficit to snap a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.