Suns Must Make Statement Soon to Save Season
PHOENIX — A season that began with so much promise has suddenly begun to crumble for the Phoenix Suns, having turned what was once a 9-2 start into a 12-11 tailspin just a month later.
Phoenix should have gone at least 2-1 over this past road trip, but defensive lapses, a lack of physical edge, and poorly-timed missteps cost them games against the New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, and the short-handed Orlando Magic.
The most concerning development in this stretch without Kevin Durant has been the lack of cohesion between Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The duo has struggled with efficiency, and surprisingly, the Suns have fared better defensively when one or both are off the court. They should be an ideal fit on the floor together, yet that synergy has yet to materialize after 60 games together.
There remains potential for the two to gel, but time is running short. It is absolutely inexcusable for Royce O’Neale and Tyus Jones to frequently carry the load in their absence.
Despite this, the Suns’ offense has shown more positive signs than negatives, especially with role players stepping up significantly. This trend should only continue once Durant and the unselfish Ryan Dunn are reintroduced into the mix.
Unfortunately, a recurring theme with this squad over the past two seasons has been the urgency of time; solutions must be implemented quickly.
Phoenix has matchups against the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons before facing the similarly struggling Denver Nuggets back-to-back. This stretch is critical, as they should be poised to win all these games, setting them up for a more challenging end of the month against the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Following that, the Suns will encounter a demanding three-week stretch from January 4-25, where they can accumulate much-needed wins, ideally accompanied by a healthy roster. This upcoming period, coupled with the two-week slate just ahead, may well define this season for the Suns.
Successful teams are tested against other talented opponents, and while the trajectory for this season seems reliant on stacking up victories, the Suns must win a significant majority of these games to provide stability in what is sure to be another competitive race to avoid the play-in round.
Key to the Suns’ fortunes will be the timely return of Durant, internal growth from Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, and a resurgence from Booker. However, they must focus on the challenges at hand, no matter the circumstances.
In a season riddled with injuries, roster construction concerns, and overall uncertainty, one thing is clear: the next month will be pivotal for the 2024-25 Phoenix Suns. Buckle up for the ride.
