Can the Suns Make a Play-In Push?
The Phoenix Suns find themselves in an unexpected position, sitting at the 11th seed in the Western Conference and currently on the outside looking in for the NBA Play-In Tournament. Expectations were much higher coming into the season, with a roster featuring stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. However, injuries, inconsistency, and a tough Western Conference have jeopardized their playoff hopes. The question is: Can the Suns turn things around and make a late push for the Play-In? Let’s break down their remaining schedule, key factors that could impact their run, and whether Phoenix has what it takes to fight back into the postseason picture.
One of the most significant issues plaguing the Suns' season has been the lack of continuity and depth around their star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Injuries have kept the three from building consistent chemistry, and when they have been on the court together, the supporting cast has struggled to provide enough help. The team lacks a true playmaker, often forcing Booker to take on heavy ball-handling duties, while the bench has been inconsistent at best. Outside of Grayson Allen, role players have failed to step up consistently, leaving the Suns heavily reliant on their stars to carry the load. To address their frontcourt issues, the Suns recently traded Jusuf Nurkić for Nick Richards, opting for a more athletic, mobile center who better fits their system. While Nurkić provided size and passing, his lack of lateral quickness was a defensive liability, especially in pick-and-roll situations. On the other hand, Richards brings rim protection, rebounding, and the ability to run the floor, which should complement the Suns’ fast-paced offense and give them a more versatile defensive presence. This move signals Phoenix’s urgency to fix one of their key weaknesses, but whether it’s enough to turn their season around remains to be seen.
Another major factor holding the Suns back has been their defense—or lack thereof. At times, Phoenix has been the worst defensive team in the league, and they currently rank in the bottom five in defensive rating. Their struggles stem from both personnel and coaching, as the roster lacks elite perimeter stoppers and has struggled with rim protection, even before trading Nurkić. Mike Budenholzer, known more for his offensive schemes than his defensive adaptability, has yet to establish a consistent defensive identity with this group, as players often look lost in rotations and fail to communicate on switches. The absence of an actual lockdown defender, outside rookie Ryan Dunn, has been a glaring weakness, leaving them vulnerable against elite scorers. If the Suns want any chance of making a Play-In push, they must find a way to improve defensively, whether through better schemes, lineup adjustments, or simply a more significant commitment to effort on that end of the floor.
