Tracking 40, Week 18: Suns return from break and stumble through weak competition

The Phoenix Suns’ painful week prompts a reckoning with reality.

Week 18: the return to basketball. The All-Star break gave us all a much-needed pause, an opportunity to hit reset. Whether you used it to recharge or just step away from the madness, we all needed it. Especially the Phoenix Suns.

But when they returned from their own hiatus, it felt like they never really left the beach. Sand still between their toes, 10 Cane Mojito in hand, they stumbled through a week they should’ve owned. Three teams with losing records? No problem, right? Wrong. A 1-2 week, with a four-point win as their lone victory, leaves us wondering if the Suns were on vacation a little too long.

This week has been an emotional rollercoaster as I’ve tried to make sense of this Suns team. I’ve found myself in the “blame” stage of acceptance. It’s been easy to point fingers: Mike Budenholzer for his lack of adjustments, the players for failing to execute, especially on defense, and the front office for their clumsy handling of the roster. But the hardest blame has been reserved for myself. Investing so much time, energy, and passion into something that only seems to deliver frustration and heartache.

After navigating the chaos of Week 18, I’ve emerged without blame but with acceptance.

Accepting that Mike Budenholzer is grasping for the right adjustments, even if he’s not sure which ones to make. Accepting that the players, despite their best efforts, are still trying to figure out how to defend effectively. Accepting that this chapter in Suns’ history — just like everyone before it — is only temporary. And accepting, most importantly, that despite the frustration and heartache, I still love covering this team. I love writing these articles, diving into the process, recording the post-game podcast, and fine-tuning the graphics to align with the night’s opponent. I love doing this, even when the Suns don’t seem to love me back.

That’s what makes us fans, right? We’re all living through a world of stresses, expectations, and the daily grind of responsibilities. It’s a lot to carry, and yet we cling to the things that offer us a moment of escape. That’s what PTO is for. Those rare little windows where we get to do something, feel something, experience something different. It’s those fleeting moments that fuel us, week after week, month after month, year after year.

And with the Suns, there’s always another game—until there isn’t. Another shot at joy, no matter how fleeting it may be. And yeah, this season might feel like it’s swirling down the shitter, but hey, at least we have a toilet to flush. We’ve got the water pressure, the food to eat, and the solid, well-constructed plumbing to make sure we can process this mess. So let’s be thankful for that. At least we’ve got something.

Life’s a constant ebb and flow, a series of peaks and valleys that we’re all just trying to navigate. When you’re on a peak, soak it in. Appreciate it for what it is, because you know another valley is inevitably waiting in the wings. But when you find yourself deep in a valley, don’t lose sight of the horizon. Recognize it for what it is. A challenge, yes, but a challenge with an eventual climb.

Right now, organizationally, we’re in that valley. It’s tough. It’s messy. But it’s all part of the journey. The beauty is in the climb. So let’s strap on our backpacks, lace up those boots, and keep moving. And who knows? At the top of that next mountain, maybe we’ll find something truly beautiful: a porcelain John, ready to flush away all this frustration.

Week 18 Record: 1-2

@ San Antonio Spurs, L, 120-109

• Suns 3PAr: 54.3%
• Suns 3PT%: 36.4%

The Suns came out of the All-Star break like they’d just woken up from a nap. Groggy, confused, and completely unaware they had a basketball game to play. A brutal first quarter set the tone for another frustrating loss, this time to a Victor Wembanyama-less Spurs team.

Coaching? Questionable. Effort? Inconsistent. Outlook? Grim. With one of the toughest remaining schedules, this team is flirting with disaster. Seven losses in eight games? Strap in. The pain train isn’t stopping anytime soon.

@ Chicago Bulls, W, 121-117

• Suns 3PAr: 533.7%
• Suns 3PT%: 33.3%

The Suns finally won a game, but don’t break out the parade floats just yet. Against a Bulls squad actively dismantling itself, Phoenix — fully healthy — still had to claw its way to victory.

The big shift? Mike Budenholzer finally benched Tyus Jones, and the Big Three responded with 81 points. Beal was solid, Booker had his moments, and turnovers were traded like 1989 Topps baseball cards. Great year, in my opinion. Best card design ever.

Was this a real turning point or just a temporary reprieve? Who knows. But hey, a win’s a win.

@ Toronto Raptors, L, 127-109

• Suns 3PAr: 533.7%
• Suns 3PT%: 33.3%

The Suns’ latest heartbreak came courtesy of the Toronto Raptors, who turned into a three-point juggernaut in the fourth quarter, lighting up the Suns like they were the Splash Brothers.

It’s become a season-long comedy of errors for the Suns, now 2-10 in back-to-backs.

Week 18: 40% 3PAr, 32.4 3PT%

The Suns broke the 40% mark in three-point rate this week. Nailed it, dead on. But here’s the kicker: they still ranked only 23rd in the league for three-point attempts. And it gets better: they were 20th in three-point percentage at a paltry 32.4%. So, if you’re not even going to bomb away from beyond the arc with any kind of efficiency, what’s the point? You’re left with a team that’s trying to win in a game that demands shooting from deep but can’t seem to figure out how to make it rain.

And surprise, surprise. Win games they did not.

One thing that has stood out in this season’s journey is not so much identifying trends in hopes of a Phoenix turnaround, because let’s be honest, that’s not coming anytime soon. What’s truly intriguing is witnessing how radically the NBA has shifted.

The Suns, historically not a heavy three-point shooting team, are on track to set a franchise record for three-point attempts. Yet, despite this surge, we still rank 11th in the league for three-point rate. Ten other teams are ahead of us, and that just blows my mind.

Here’s the harsh truth I’ve come to accept after tracking all of this: three-point shooting doesn’t matter. The numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the whole story. What truly defines a team is defense. That’s what I’ll focus on next season. Defensive ratings, week in and week out. If you want to be elite, you’ve got to stop the other team.

And that’s where the Suns have fallen short—especially when it comes to defending the three. As we ride the rollercoaster of this season, it’s clear that defense, not shooting, is the foundation of success.

Week 19 Preview

So what’s next for Phoenix?

Week 19 serves up four games, starting in Memphis, where the Suns wrap up their road trip against the second-seeded Grizzlies. Phoenix has yet to solve this matchup, dropping both prior meetings while putting up the exact same 112 points each time. Given Memphis’ youth, pace, and defensive tenacity, expect another tough battle.

Back home, the Suns channel their inner MLB squad with a baseball-style series against the Pelicans on Thursday and Friday. New Orleans was in shambles the last time they met — losers of nine straight, sitting at 4-18 — and naturally, they still managed to beat Phoenix. They’ve barely improved since, but let’s not pretend that guarantees easy wins. We know better.

The week wraps on Sunday against Minnesota, another team that’s taken down the Suns twice already. With the Wolves scrapping to avoid the Play-In, Phoenix will once again have to prove they can handle a high-energy, physical opponent.

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