Suns Fall to Sixers as Shooting Woes Overshadow Return of Booker and Green
Saturday night in Phoenix had all the makings of a turning point. The Suns were finally getting some key pieces back, with Devin Booker and Jalen Green returning to the lineup at the Mortgage Matchup Center. The energy in the building reflected that hope - a team that had been stretched thin for weeks was finally starting to look whole again.
But basketball doesn’t always follow the script.
Despite the reinforcements, the Suns couldn’t shake off one glaring issue: the three-point line. Phoenix opened the game ice-cold from deep, hitting just one of their first 13 attempts from beyond the arc in the first quarter.
And unfortunately, it didn’t get much better from there. They finished the night 11-of-46 from three - a brutal 23.9% clip that ultimately told the story of the game.
What made it more frustrating was that the offense was, in many ways, functioning properly. The ball was moving.
The actions were generating open looks. But as the misses piled up, confidence started to waver.
You could see it in real time - players hesitating on clean looks, pump-faking themselves out of rhythm, dribbling into tougher shots. It wasn’t a lack of opportunity.
It was a lack of execution.
And that’s where the math became unforgiving. Both the Suns and Sixers made 11 threes on the night.
The difference? Philadelphia needed 17 fewer attempts to get there.
That kind of discrepancy is hard to overcome, no matter how well you execute in other areas.
Still, there was a silver lining - even if it came wrapped in a loss.
Getting Booker and Green back on the floor before the All-Star break is significant. This team has been patching things together for weeks, relying on players to step outside their natural roles just to stay afloat.
That kind of wear and tear doesn’t just disappear overnight. Reintegrating stars takes time.
Rebuilding chemistry takes reps.
Jalen Green came off the bench in this one - a temporary move, but a sign that the coaching staff is easing him back in. Booker, meanwhile, showed flashes of his usual playmaking brilliance but is still clearly working his way back into full rhythm.
The rotation isn’t settled yet, and that matters. Continuity is everything in the NBA, and the Suns are still searching for theirs.
So yes, losing at home stings. Especially when the looks are there and the shots just don’t fall.
But this game felt more like a necessary step in a longer process than a setback. Sometimes progress doesn’t look pretty.
Sometimes it’s clunky, uncomfortable, and full of missed threes. But it’s still progress.
Bright Side Baller Season Update
Grayson Allen earned the nod in the previous game against the Warriors - and unfortunately, paid the price. He gave it everything, tweaked his knee, and now finds himself sidelined again.
The only consolation? He picked up his seventh Bright Side Baller award of the season.
Small victories.
Bright Side Baller Nominees - Game 53 vs. Sixers
Despite the loss, a few Suns players stood out and earned nominations for their performances:
- Dillon Brooks 28 points (11-of-23 FG, 2-of-10 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4 fouls, +10 Brooks was aggressive and efficient inside the arc, carrying much of the offensive load. The three-point stroke wasn’t there, but his energy and scoring punch kept Phoenix in it.
- Devin Booker 21 points (5-of-12 FG, 1-of-7 3PT), 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 turnovers, +10 Booker looked like a player shaking off rust, but still managed to dish out nine assists and control tempo in stretches. The shot will come.
- Royce O’Neale 14 points (5-of-10 FG, 4-of-9 3PT), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, +6 O’Neale was one of the few bright spots from deep and brought a much-needed boost on the glass. His two-way impact stood out.
- Mark Williams 11 points (4-of-7 FG), 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 fouls, +0 Another double-double for Williams, who continues to be a steady presence in the paint. He’s becoming a quiet anchor for this team.
- Jalen Green 8 points (2-of-6 FG, 0-of-3 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, +7 Green’s return was more about getting his feet wet than lighting up the scoreboard. He showed flashes and should ramp up quickly.
- Jordan Goodwin 7 points (2-of-7 FG, 1-of-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 fouls, -6 A scrappy effort from Goodwin, though the shot didn’t fall. He continues to bring hustle and toughness off the bench.
The Suns are still in the thick of figuring it out. Reinforcements are back, but rhythm takes time. If they can find their shooting stroke to match the healthy bodies, this team could be on the verge of turning the corner.