The Phoenix Suns have a challenging string of games coming up. We’ll learn a lot about them.
The Phoenix Suns rollercoaster season continues. The forecast yesterday morning was sunny and 75 (Big Three all healthy), but some clouds rolled in when Devin Booker left the game early last night.
Booker had played in every single game leading up to the Pacers game on Thursday night. He left the game in the third quarter with groin tightness and now his status is in question as we await an update.
Still, there is no room for excuses with this team. They have basketball games to win. With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal leading the way, this team needs to figure out how to win, and fast.
This 6-game stretch should teach us a lot about the Suns against playoff contenders (minus Detroit). They are set to play Denver twice, along with a trio of West contenders in Dallas, Memphis, and Golden State.
Here is the upcoming six-game slate:
- vs. Detroit Pistons
- @ Denver Nuggets
- vs. Denver Nuggets
- vs. Dallas Mavericks
- @ Golden State Warriors
- vs. Memphis Grizzlies
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Phoenix is currently 14-12 which still puts them in the thick of the playoff race. They are just a couple of games back from the 4 seed, while simultaneously a couple back from being out of the playoffs as a whole. Every. Game. Matters.
Five of their next six opponents are in the playoff mix out West, so it’s time to turn it up a notch and get some quality wins on their resume.
Detroit will not be a walk in the park. They have shown some serious fight this season and will play the Suns tough. It’s a team they cannot take lightly, or they will be embarrassed on their own court again.
Cade Cunningham is breaking out and their role players and veterans have made them more competent. It’s a team that is capable of upsetting anyone
Denver poses a challenge per usual with superstar Nikola Jokic manning the middle. Phoenix will get them for back-to-back games. First, the teams will square off in Denver and then a couple of days later meet for the Christmas Night clash.
The Suns must at least split this mini-two-game series. Anything less could come back to haunt them.
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Dallas remains a threat and has shown they have the offensive firepower to hang with anyone when they click. The Mavs have gotten hot and are starting to rise up the standings out West.
Golden State added Dennis Schroeder, who always seems to play with an edge against Phoenix. They are reeling a bit of late after a hot start, but still a tall task especially on the road in the second of a back-to-back.
Steph vs. Durant is always must-see TV.
Memphis is playing electric basketball to start the season. They have a deep team with a blend of veterans and youth that makes them a tough matchup for anyone, but especially the Suns.
Fun fact: Ja Morant has not played against the Suns since January 22, 2023. Their lineup that night was Bismack Biyombo, Torrey Craig, Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and Chris Paul. Due to injuries and a suspension, it’s been a while.
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In a perfect world, the Suns take care of business and win at least 4 of these 6 contests.
Even splitting at 3-3 wouldn’t be the end of the world given how tough this stretch is especially if Booker misses time. Anything less and they are digging themselves a small hole that may not be the end of the world, but could come back to bite them later.
“When they are healthy” is and has been dead for some time now. The reality is, this team will never be healthy for long stretches together. That is part of the problem, but for now, as things stand… they just need to find a way to stay afloat.
The rest will work itself out either this deadline or this offseason.