The Suns’ offense reached 1990 levels but their defense stayed in 2025.
Heartbreak is a privilege reserved for those who still have heart left to break. The Phoenix Suns walked into Memphis and left everything on the court, battling with a fire that should have been enough. There were ten reasons they should have won. Ten reasons they didn’t.
Was this one frustrating? No. Frustration faded long ago, replaced by something colder, something quieter. Losses are no longer surprises—they’re checkpoints. Expected, absorbed, endured. The only thing that remains is how we choose to carry them. Hope? That ship has long since drifted beyond the horizon.
And so, another night. Another fight. Another number in the loss column. 27-31.
It wasn’t a disaster. Far from it. In fact, it was wildly entertaining. Five Suns poured in 20 or more points, a feat this franchise hadn’t seen since November 10, 1990, back when Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Dan Majerle, Cedric Ceballos, and Kenny Battle lit up the scoreboard for 173 points. They had 107 by halftime against a Denver squad featuring Walter Davis.
So yes, we witnessed some damn good offense. But, as always, it was followed by the all-too-familiar soundtrack of defensive breakdowns. The Suns couldn’t hold off the Grizzlies. They let them claw their way into overtime. And in that moment, we knew. Fate was already written.
But frustration? It left long ago. All that remains is an empty vessel, drifting aimlessly across an endless sea, searching for a shore that will only arrive in the form of the offseason.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Bradley Beal, like last season, is having a late-season run and is slowly climbing the Bright Side Baller standings. The Suns might not have beaten the Raptors, but Beal took the opportunity to get his sixth BSB, tying him with Kevin Durant with 6 on the season thus far.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Devin Booker
28 points (12-of-20, 2-of-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 turnovers, +3 +/-
Kevin Durant
26 points (8-of-19, 3-of-7 3PT), 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -9 +/-
Bradley Beal
24 points (9-of-20, 4-of-6 3PT), 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1 +/-
Bol Bol
23 points (8-of-11, 2-of-4 3PT), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, -12 +/-
Grayson Allen
21 points (6-of-10, 6-of-9 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +1 +/-
Mason Plumlee
7 points (3-of-3, 0-of-0 3PT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 0 turnovers, 1 block, -3 +/-
It’s time to vote. Clickity click click.
Listen to our latest podcast episode in the player below, and to stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the Suns JAM Session podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox.
Please subscribe, rate, and review.