Game Preview: Suns return home to a new arena name but the same old problems

The Suns defense has been nonexistent and Zion Williamson is coming.

Who: Phoenix Suns (27-31) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (15-43)

When: 7:00pm Arizona Time

Where: PHX Arenas — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: AZFamily, Suns Live

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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The Phoenix Suns return home to familiar walls but an unfamiliar name. The arena they left behind 16 days ago is no longer the Footprint Center. It’s now PHX Arena, just like it was for a stretch of time in 2021. You know, all the way until the NBA Finals. Hmmm. What happened after they renamed it to the Footprint Center that year?

But a name change is the least of their concerns. Before embarking on their grueling five-city road trip, Phoenix sat at 26–27, clinging to hope. Now, they limp back at 27–31, having gone 1-4, teetering on the edge of collapse.

Their return brings an opportunity, albeit a fragile one. Two straight home games against the New Orleans Pelicans, one of the weakest teams left on their schedule, present a chance to stabilize. On paper, New Orleans, with just 15 wins, should be an easy mark. But one of those wins came at the Suns’ expense back in December. And since trading Brandon Ingram to Toronto, the Pelicans have found life, winning three of their last four.

The road ahead is brutal. Phoenix faces the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA. And while these next two games may be among the most manageable, their opponent arrives on a heater, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to a season already unraveling at the seams.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Cody Martin — OUT (Trade Pending)

Pelicans

• Brandon Boston — OUT (Left Ankle)
• Bruce Brown — OUT (Return to Competition Reconditioning)
• Herb Jones — OUT (Right Shoulder; Torn Rotator Cuff)
• Dejounte Murray — OUT (Right Achilles; Rupture)
• Kelly Olynyk — OUT (Rest)

Uniform Matchup

What to Watch For

We’re inching closer to the inevitable point in the season when the Suns start packing it in. Maybe Bradley Beal’s toe suddenly needs extra rest. Perhaps Devin Booker’s calf tightens up. Kevin Durant’s foot? Yeah, better not push it. The phantom injuries are coming. It’s just a matter of when.

Until then, we watch. We wait. And we wonder how head coach Mike Budenholzer will navigate these rotations. Will he finally lean into defense? Will we see more of Ryan Dunn, who logged just 3.6 minutes per game last week? Sure, he’s not an offensive weapon, but he plays the kind of defense this team desperately lacks.

That will be put to the test tonight against Zion Williamson, who, when facing the Suns, turns into a cheese grater. And Phoenix? A soft block of Vermont cheddar.

Zion has played just 22 games this season, but in his last 10, he’s been a force, averaging 25.1 points on 60.5% shooting, along with 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Expect a wide-open lane, expect Phoenix’s point-of-attack defenders to be left in the dust, and expect Zion to feast. The only question is: Will the Suns do anything to stop it?

Key to a Suns Win

Play defense. Please?

The Suns’ lack of connectivity on defense has been their downfall all season. At this point, you almost forget what good defense looks like. Do yourself a favor. Watch the Thunder, the Celtics, the Cavaliers. These teams aren’t at the top of the standings just because they have elite scorers. They’re connected on defense.

There are layers to it. They guard the point of attack. They close out on shooters. They protect the rim. The Suns? They fail in all three areas—consistently. Sure, we’ve seen flashes, a six-minute stretch here and there. But 48 minutes? They physically cannot do it. And honestly, I don’t know why we expect anything different.

So yeah, you wanna win? Play defense. The offense will handle itself.

Prediction

The fan base is simmering, edging closer to a full boil. The vibes in PHX Arena tonight? Probably not great. After 16 days on the road, Suns fans haven’t had their chance to let this team hear it. And if they start slow? That building is going to turn sour fast.

This team hasn’t exactly shown the guts to push through adversity. When the energy shifts against them, they crumble. And I’m guessing that’s what happens tonight.

Zion Williamson drops 32, the Suns trail most of the way. Maybe they claw back within two a few times, just enough to tease hope. But in the end? Their matador defense — the same issue that’s haunted them all season — will be their downfall once again.

Pelicans 117, Suns 111

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