The Phoenix Suns aren’t the NBA contenders that everyone thought they’d be, currently sitting as the 10th seed with a 14-12 record. That could have gotten worse with an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Wizards tonight, as the team overcame a big deficit to walk out with a 112-108 win.
After allowing Jalen Brunson to drop 50 in a loss before that, Devin Booker candidly discussed the struggles Phoenix has had this season.
“The communication has to be there… You want to protect homecourt and New York came in here and kicked our ass on our home court and we were on our way to that after the 1st two-quarters tonight. We just got to get it together.”
"You want to protect homecourt and New York came in here and kicked our ass on our homecourt and we were on our way to that after the 1st two quarters tonight. We just got to get it together." Devin Booker.#Suns down 16 late in 1st half of 112-108 win vs. Wizards. 7-8 at home. pic.twitter.com/wsKqIHYcG4
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 18, 2023
Booker overcame a tough start to end the night with 27 points, as the Suns won out over the second half by executing on offense. The Wizard offense predictably shot itself in the foot in the fourth quarter, with poor shot decisions made by Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. Tyus Jones was the star of the Wizards performance, tormenting the Suns ball-handlers with six steals to go with his 22 points and 11 assists.
The Suns lost at home to New York two nights ago, getting blown away by a 50-point performance from Jalen Brunson. Brunson scored 35 points in the second half without missing a field goal attempt, with the Suns’ defense getting torched. Both Booker and Kevin Durant had big nights along with Jusuf Nurkic, but the defensive disaster class meant they lost 139-122 on their home court.
Phoenix Suns In A Tough Position With Their Roster
The Suns spent every bit of draft capital they had between February 2023 and the offseason in constructing a superteam they hoped could compete for a championship. That hasn’t worked out, as the new-look Suns are bereft of the depth that made them contenders in previous seasons. They do have arguably the best scoring one-two in Booker and Durant, but they have a barebones rotation of players behind them.
Bradley Beal was the big summer acquisition, as the Suns sent Chris Paul and every second-round pick they had left to the Wizards to get Beal. This season, Beal has played just six games and averaged 14.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, not performing nearly up to what the Suns have expected. It might just be a result of the injury-plagued start to the season he has had, first with a back injury and then with an unfortunate ankle injury.
They have gotten good minutes from the likes of Jordan Goodwin, Nassir Little, Jusuf Nurkic, and others, but nobody has been consistent enough for the Suns to rely on their production night in and night out. Any injuries to Durant or Booker could be catastrophic for their season.
They have to climb up the West soon, due to their trade inflexibility limiting any winter additions.
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