The Phoenix Suns have been in survival mode for much of this season - and somehow, they’re still standing. Sitting at 24-17 and holding the 7th seed in the West, this team has weathered more than its fair share of adversity.
Injuries, a brutal schedule, and constant lineup juggling have tested their depth and resilience. And yet, they’ve come out swinging every time.
This isn’t just about winning games - it’s about how they've done it. The Suns have often been without one key player, sometimes two or more, and still managed to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference.
That includes a recent stretch where they faced the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder three times in a matter of days. That’s not just a gauntlet - that’s a stress test.
Now comes the next challenge. Phoenix is riding a two-game skid and will be without Devin Booker and Jalen Green for the foreseeable future. That’s a tough blow, especially with a road-heavy schedule and some elite opponents on the horizon.
But there’s a silver lining: Grayson Allen is back, and his return couldn’t have come at a better time. Assistant coach Jordan Ott put it plainly: “You’ve seen him back in rhythm and how much he changes us on both ends.” Allen’s shooting, spacing, and defensive effort give the Suns a much-needed boost, especially with Booker sidelined and Green still waiting to make his debut.
Despite the losses piling up, there’s no quit in this group. Take the Miami game - the Suns looked out of it early, but they clawed their way back and made it a fight.
Then there was Detroit: Phoenix came out hot, looked like they might run away with it, and then just ran out of gas as the Pistons stormed back late. Two different games, two different stories, but the same underlying theme - this team competes, no matter the circumstances.
And that’s important, because the schedule isn’t doing them any favors. After Detroit, the Suns head to Madison Square Garden to face a Knicks team that’s been nearly unbeatable at home, boasting a 16-4 record at MSG.
That’s followed by a matchup with Brooklyn - a game Phoenix needs to capitalize on - before a back-to-back against Philadelphia. Then it’s off to Atlanta to face a Hawks team that’s always dangerous on their home floor.
Finally, they’ll return home next Sunday for a rematch with the Miami Heat - the same team that handed them a loss earlier this week. That’ll be a chance to measure growth, especially if they can get healthier by then.
If Phoenix can come out of this five-game stretch with a 3-2 record, that’s a win. Even 2-3 wouldn’t be the end of the world, especially given the absences and travel fatigue. It all depends on how long Booker is out and when Jalen Green - who’s now missed 31 straight games - is finally ready to suit up.
For now, Green remains out for tonight’s matchup in New York. His debut will have to wait.
But if there’s one thing this Suns team has shown us, it’s that they’re not waiting around for help. They’re grinding through every possession, every quarter, every game - and proving that they’re more than just the sum of their stars.
The road’s been bumpy, but Phoenix is still in the mix. And that says a lot.