Let’s take a quick look ahead to the first 10-game stretch for the Phoenix Suns this season.
Yes, we still need to get through camp, preseason, etc., before any of this really matters. Certain matchups can change on a dime, as we all know with injury reports on either side. But from a zoomed-out historical perspective, it’s always worthwhile to take a look at the landscape ahead.
Last year, they finished 5-5 in their first 10. The path to get there was interesting, and it’s important to recall that
a 1-4 start should not be all doom and gloom. And parades shouldn’t be thrown after a 4-1 start, either. Easier said than done, because taking premature victory laps (in either direction) is way too much fun.
Here’s a look at their opening 10 games.
The First 10
- Home: 7 games
- Away: 3 games
- Versus playoff/play-in teams last year: 10 (!)
- Back-to-backs: 2
- Versus West: 9
- Versus East: 1
That’s a whole lot of Golden State and Portland. 40% of their opening schedule comes against those two teams, one at home, one on the road apiece. Every team in this opening stretch either made the playoffs or the play-in last season. It’s also a whole lotta home games, with 7 of their opening 10 coming at home.
Phoenix has two back-to-backs, but thankfully, both come during a 5-game homestand. It will, however, be a stretch of five games in 7 days. Their depth and conditioning will be tested early and often. Adam Silver, you are not slick.
This is a tough stretch. Don’t let your bias fool you. Each team in here presents a challenge, especially getting the Magic and Clippers on the second of a back-to-back. I’d be okay with a 5-5 start. You may call that settling, and of course they could do better, but it’s that early weird part of the season. Just get out of it with your head above water.
The Past
A year ago, they actually started a bit bumpier than many may remember. They were 1-4 in their first 5, including a brutal one-point loss to Memphis and an overtime loss to the Jazz on the road. They went on to win 10 of their next 12 games, pushing their record to 11-6.
This list is a trip down memory lane, especially looking at some of those box scores. Man, a whole lot changed from day one of those seasons to the end of the year.
Here is where they finished in the first 10 games over the past five years:
- 2025-26: 5-5 (finished 46-36)
- 2024-25: 8-2 (finished 36-46)
- 2023-24: 4-6 (finished 49-33)
- 2022-23: 7-3 (finished 45-37)
- 2021-22: 7-3 (finished 64-18)
As you can see, there is not much of a direct correlation in either direction here. Sweeping judgments cannot be made that early; it is clear. A strong start does not guarantee a strong team. A poor start does not guarantee a poor team. The beginning of the season is weird. This makes evaluating these early games with the big picture in mind much more important than hitting the panic button because of a 2-4 start.
You have to figure out who you are while also trying to figure out who opponents are with very little (recent) information on them. Especially after the personnel shifts that take place around the league during the offseason.
I am hopeful the Suns take advantage of their continuity, youthful legs, and heavy home schedule to get off to a strong start and give themselves a cushion for the rest of the 82-game gauntlet that lies ahead.
What does early season success look like to you, Bright Siders? Let us know in the comments.
