The Phoenix Suns’ willpower has been tested this month. This isn’t their first bit of adversity they’ve faced.
They’ve been down at least one key contributor, most of the time two or more, throughout the season.
They’ve had a crazy schedule that was Western Conference heavy, including three games against the NBA-best Thunder in a matter of days.
So far, they’ve passed every test thrown their way and then some. Sitting at the 7th overall seed with a 24-17 record is more than any Suns fan could’ve asked for in the preseason. Expectations have been crushed. The secret is out…now, how will the Suns respond?
The upcoming schedule, along with the current two-game skid, presents another uphill battle, as they are now short Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
Grayson Allen’s return has helped. Jordan Ott stated, “You’ve seen him back in rhythm and how much he changes us on both ends.”
Allen returning to form couldn’t come at a better time, with the injury to Devin Booker and Jalen Green’s prolonged absence.
Despite the recent losses, they showed great resolve by storming back and making the Miami game a close one after looking dead in the water early on. And then, the opposite happened in Detroit after jumping out to a hot start, only to fade out as the Pistons closed the gap and took over late in the game.
Either way, it’s difficult to get too disappointed by the end results, given the circumstances of being shorthanded and playing against tough teams on the road.
It doesn’t get much easier.
Phoenix gets another top team in the East after playing the first-place Detroit Pistons on their home court Thursday night. They will have their hands full against a Knicks team that is tough to beat at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are a pristine 16-4 at home this season.
After the Knicks, they have Brooklyn. That’s a game they need to win, especially with Philadelphia on deck the next night for a second of a back-to-back. Then they have a couple of days off from the never-ending road trip across the country before they take on a tough Hawks team in Atlanta.
Their welcome home to Phoenix comes next Sunday against the same Miami Heat team they lost to earlier this week. 3-2 is a win in this stretch. Hell, even 2-3 wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world as they regroup… depending on how many more games Booker misses and when Jalen Green returns.
We’ll have to wait another game for Jalen Green’s debut, as he’s listed OUT for tonight’s matchup in the Big Apple. As Duane notes in the tweet, he has missed 31 consecutive games…where has the time gone?
This is the toughest month yet for the Phoenix Suns. Injuries. Travel. Schedule. You name it. But make no mistake about it, Jordan Ott and company are built to withstand these moments.
