Durant and Beal should return on Tuesday. But the Suns failed the test with them out.
Hope is on the horizon for the Phoenix Suns. After a dismal seven-game stretch where they posted a 1-6 record and looked like one of the Western Conference’s weakest teams, reinforcements appear to be arriving just in time. Both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are expected to return on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Their return couldn’t come at a better moment.
The Suns have been struggling, and the reasons are plenty. Chief among them is the inconsistency of the team’s depth when thrust into larger roles. Over the past seven games, Durant’s absence combined with Beal missing six games left the Suns needing to account for a staggering 45.4 points per game.
How did they attempt to bridge the gap? Mostly with minimum-contract players and rookies. Predictably, their performances mirrored their experience and pay grades. Minimum-contract players are where they are for a reason, and while it’s been encouraging to see rookies contribute, they are still in the early learning stages of their careers.
The greater disappointment, however, has been the mid-tier players like Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen. Both were called upon to fill the offensive void but failed to do so consistently. That inconsistency is what defines them as mid-level players. While they have the occasional standout performance, they lack the reliability needed to be game-changers. If they had that consistency, they’d be max-contract players, not gap-fillers.
With Durant and Beal set to return, the Suns may finally regain the firepower they desperately need to stabilize their season.
Looking back at the time before Durant and Beal were sidelined, there’s a noticeable difference in performance. When players operated within the confines of their roles, the team functioned smoothly. However, when injuries forced them to step outside those roles, the results were far less effective.
Royce O’Neale
- Pre-Durant/Beal Injuries: 25.6 minutes, 10.4 points (53.2 FG%, 52.6 3PT%), +74 +/-,
- Post-Durant/Beal Injuries: 24.8 minutes, 10.7 points (29.6 FG%, 29.5 3PT%), -84 +/-
Grayson Allen
- Pre-Durant/Beal Injuries: 19.3 minutes, 8.1 points (34.7 FG%, 33.3 3PT%), -1 +/-,
- Post-Durant/Beal Injuries: 25.3 minutes, 13.4 points (40.4 FG%, 36.4 3PT%), -16 +/-
Ryan Dunn
- Pre-Durant/Beal Injuries: 15.8 minutes, 6.8 points (45.5 FG%, 39.1 3PT%), +15 +/-,
- Post-Durant/Beal Injuries: 22.2 minutes, 7.1 points (39.6 FG%, 26.7 3PT%), -70 +/-
Royce O’Neale was an X-factor during the Suns’ impressive 8-1 start, embodying the “3-and-D” archetype. He excelled on defense, shutting down opponents, while consistently knocking down three-pointers on offense. His impact was reflected in every advanced net rating lineup he was part of. However, with increased expectations, his performance has faltered. While the quick-release three-point shot remains part of his game, his accuracy has plummeted.
Grayson Allen, meanwhile, dealt with injuries that kept him in and out of the lineup. Although he delivered a few solid performances, his inconsistency has been glaring. On the rare night when O’Neale found his rhythm, Allen seemed to take a step back, struggling to hit shots. Though his shooting percentages have improved recently, he’s still far from the reliable player the Suns saw last year, the kind of player they’ve desperately needed in Durant and Beal’s absence.
Ryan Dunn has also regressed, partly due to increased minutes and shot volume and partly due to the pressure of contributing as a starter rather than a defensive specialist off the bench. Earlier in the season, Dunn thrived in his role, coming off the bench to focus his defensive energy on opponents like James Harden, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić. But with injuries forcing a bigger role and heavier minutes, his effectiveness on both ends of the floor has diminished.
When Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal return on Tuesday, there’s no doubt the Suns will see an immediate boost in offensive efficiency. However, it’s the defensive side of the ball where Phoenix desperately needs to make strides. And that’s perhaps been the most frustrating aspect of their recent struggles: a glaring lack of defense.
Yes, the Suns were missing 45.4 points per game and $11.4 million in payroll with Durant and Beal sidelined. But the players Mike Budenholzer called upon to replace them were supposed to excel as defensive specialists, particularly on the wings. Yet, they failed to fulfill that role effectively.
Strong defense creates havoc. Havoc generates turnovers, steals, and blocks, which lead to easy offense and much-needed rhythm in the game. Rhythm feeds into efficient scoring. But without Durant and Beal, the Suns’ defense collapsed. Through their first nine games, Phoenix had a +30-point differential. In the seven games since? A disastrous -69. Giggity. Ironically, the defensive players were still on the floor, they simply weren’t delivering. And let’s be honest: when Durant and Beal return, no one’s thinking, “Finally, our lockdown defenders are back!”
What their return will do, however, is reset rotations and allow players to settle back into roles they’re better suited for. Even so, there’s reason for concern. Injuries are an inevitable part of the NBA season; someone is always on the injury report. The hope is that when role players are called upon to step up, they can do so productively and contribute to winning basketball. Unfortunately, the Suns’ early-season tests in this area exposed a glaring weakness. And they failed to rise to the occasion.