Stats. I love ‘em. I live mining for ‘em. Thank you, Stat Head. Thank you, NBA.com. Thank you, B-Ball Index.
With six games in the books, the Phoenix Suns have offered glimpses of their remarkable potential while simultaneously highlighting areas where they can improve. Each game has showcased their skill and teamwork, revealing the exciting promise of what they can achieve.
Yet, it’s clear that they are still a work in progress. Ample opportunities for growth and development lie ahead. As the season unfolds, fans can expect to see them refine their strategies, build chemistry, and ultimately elevate their performance. The combination of their current flashes of brilliance and the prospect of further improvement creates a compelling narrative for the Suns this season.
Six games in, I thought I’d throw some surprising stats at you. Or maybe they aren’t surprising, at least to you. You’re a tough cookie to crack, aren’t ya?
Suns Record: 5-1
Let’s start with the stat that matters most. Wins and losses.
Through the first six games, Phoenix has come out victorious in five, a strong start that puts them in rare historical company for the franchise. Although the Suns have never opened a season 6-0, this 5-1 start marks the tenth time they’ve hit that record and the first since 2022.
“I think we’ve been in like three or four close games through our five or six so far,” Devin Booker noted after the Suns win against Portland on Saturday. “So, we have stuff to learn from.”
Every Suns’ team that went 5-1 to start the season has made the playoffs. This includes the 1992-93 and 2020-21 teams, both of who would go on to win the Conference Championship and make appearances in the NBA Finals.
Three-Point Rate: 48%
I’ll dive deeper into this statistic in tomorrow’s Tracking 40 piece, but it’s incredible to see this transformation. The Suns have long boasted quality three-point shooters and, of course, revolutionized the game during the 7SOL era.
But we’ve never been a high-volume three-point team. Until now. The team took 52 three-pointers against the Blazers. That’s the most they’ve ever attempted in a non-overtime game since…checks notes…EVER!
The Phoenix Suns attempted 52 three-pointers last night. That is a season high and tied for second-most in team history. The most they’ve ever attempted is 53 3PA on 01/26/21 against the Denver Nuggets.
It is the most three-point attempts by a Suns team in a non-overtime game. pic.twitter.com/lZYoc5Udf2
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) November 3, 2024
Opponent True Shooting Percentage: 53.3%
All right. Let’s start with what True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is. You know, for the casual reader.
It’s like a report card for basketball players, measuring how well they make different types of shots: regular shots, three-pointers, and free throws. Instead of just focusing on one shot type, TS% provides a big-picture view of a player’s scoring skills.
Here’s how it works: regular shots are like getting a B on a math test, while three-pointers are more like scoring an A+. Free throws? They’re the extra credit you get when you get fouled.
TS% combines all these scores to give a better idea of a player’s overall shooting efficiency. And that sneaky number 0.44 is there to adjust for the fact that not all free throws are the same…sometimes you get one, two, or even three. So, TS% helps us find out who truly shines at scoring, not just who can make a lucky shot now and then!
All that being said, the Suns are allowing a 53.3 TS%. That is the third lowest in the league. Sure, they have their challenges defensively, but making shots is what matters. And the Suns are doing a good job not allowing the competition to make them.
The season rolls on tomorrow as the Suns welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to the Footprint Center. The stats will keep on adding up. Can they keep these god vibes going? Turn on, tune in, and zone out baby!