The Phoenix Suns kicked off the final 27-game stretch of their season with a tough 121-94 loss to the Spurs. While it's just one game in the marathon of an 82-game season, it served as a stark reminder of the challenges the Suns have faced historically.
Suns fans are all too familiar with the team's past misfortunes: losing the coin flip for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Amare Stoudemire's suspension in the 2007 playoffs, and the infamous Kardashian curse. This season, the rollercoaster of health issues for Devin Booker and Jalen Green continues to be a thorn in their side.
In a game where Jalen Green made his first start for the Suns, it took just six minutes for Devin Booker to exit with right hip soreness. The hope of seeing Booker and Green shine together was dashed once more.
Despite the setback, Green finished the game looking sharp and healthy, leading the Suns with 26 points on 11-of-23 shooting in a season-high 26 minutes. He was a bright spot in an otherwise dim performance, handling the Spurs' pressure with poise.
Top Performers
Suns:
- Jalen Green: 26 points, 11-of-23 shooting, 2 assists, 3 steals
- Mark Williams: 11 points, 4-of-12 shooting, 10 rebounds, 1 block
- Oso Ighodaro: 10 points, 5-of-8 shooting, 5 assists
- Collin Gillespie: 8 points, 3-for-13 shooting, 8 assists
Spurs:
- Stephon Castle: 20 points, 8-for-11 shooting, 4 assists
- Victor Wembanyama: 17 points, 8-for-15 shooting, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks
- De’Aaron Fox: 15 points, 4-of-9 shooting, 8 assists
- Dylan Harper: 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting
Game Flow
First Half:
Jalen Green's debut as a starter began promisingly with 7 points in the first six minutes, including a smooth three-pointer. He also connected with Mark Williams on some slick passes, though Williams had mixed results against the towering presence of Victor Wembanyama.
Then came the setback-Devin Booker left the game with hip soreness, leaving the Suns shorthanded without Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen. Despite this, the Suns managed to stay competitive in the first quarter, moving the ball well and creating quality shots. However, defensively, they missed the presence of Brooks and Allen as the Spurs' guards relentlessly attacked, leading to a 30-25 Spurs lead after one.
The second quarter saw the Suns' bench struggle, as the Spurs opened with a 13-0 run. Stephon Castle was instrumental, scoring 14 points with 4 assists, as the Spurs capitalized on the Suns' offensive woes.
A brief reprieve came when Booker returned, but it was short-lived as he quickly exited again. By halftime, the Spurs had built a 61-49 lead, thanks largely to their pressure defense, which forced crucial turnovers.
Second Half:
The Spurs dominated the second half, turning defensive stops into fastbreak opportunities. They outscored the Suns in transition and took full advantage of turnovers.
Wembanyama, after a modest first half, showcased his skills with impressive blocks and a highlight-reel dunk. Mark Williams battled hard but found it tough against the Spurs' athleticism, while Collin Gillespie struggled to find his rhythm.
With the game slipping away, the Suns turned to their younger players in the fourth quarter. Green, Gillespie, Ighodaro, Ryan Dunn, and Rasheer Fleming saw extended minutes. Khaman Maluach, the Suns' lottery pick, added 4 points and 5 rebounds in his stint, while Fleming contributed 3 points and 3 boards.
The loss was a tough pill to swallow, but Jalen Green's performance offered a glimmer of hope. As the Suns look to regroup, the focus will be on finding some consistency and health as they navigate the remainder of the season.