Remember when the Suns were 1-3? Whether or not that’s enough games to qualify as a “slow start,” they now have league’s longest winning streak of the young season. They’ve won the eight games with Deandre Ayton having missed six and without a ton of offense from Devin Booker. Because who needs Ayton and Booker when you have Frank Kaminsky? The Suns’ third-string center (fourth string if you want to consider the injured Dario Saric) scored a career-high 31 points in the Suns’ win over Portland on Wednesday and might be ready to challenge Chris Paul for the title of best short-mid-range shooter on the team.
The Suns have allowed less than a point per possession over the winning streak, climbing into the top 10 defensively with their last three opponents having shot 21-for-95 (22%) from 3-point range. They ranked 21st defensively and 28th in opponent 3-point percentage just a week ago, so that is some rapid regression to the mean.
It’s also a soft schedule. The last seven wins have come against teams that currently have losing records, though Memphis was 6-5 before they got thumped by the visiting Suns on Friday. After they end a three-game trip in Minnesota on Monday (the second game of a back-to-back), the Suns will play seven of their next eight games against teams currently above .500.
JaVale McGee has had to step up with Deandre Ayton missing time this season, and he had his biggest game of the year on Sunday in a big win against the Rockets. In just 25 minutes, McGee had 19 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. He became just the 10th NBA player to hit those marks in a game in as little as 25 minutes. In six starts this season, McGee is averaging 12 points and 7.5 rebounds. Phoenix is 6-0 in those games. -- Lopez
Even without Deandre Ayton the Suns have straightened out a bumpy start and look again like a formidable championship contender. Frank Kaminsky has provided some quality minutes in a backup capacity and Chris Paul continues to dominate the assists leader board. There are no revelations beyond that: Phoenix is very good.
Weekly slate: Win at Kings, Win over Blazers, Win at Grizzlies, Win at Rockets
How did the chaos hit the Phoenix Suns? Sure, the Suns got off to a slow start considering how good they were last season, but the real chaos has come away from the court for them. First, it seemed like Robert Sarver being so adamantly against a Deandre Ayton max extension was going to be the craziest team governor happening possible. Then we saw the report from ESPN about the toxic work environment from Sarver and other departments over the last 17 years. The Suns and their CVS receipt-long run of statements denying these allegations were just punctuated even more by Penny Sarver confirming she’s been sending text messages to former staffers. It hasn’t affected the Suns on the court lately, but it’s safe to wonder if there are more distractions on the way.
Why is the team here this week? The Suns have been on a run lately, and I don’t care that it’s against an easier stretch of the schedule. You just want to see the same process we saw from them last season, and that appears to have returned.
Author’s note: The Suns have been moved back into the Contenders tier on a probationary basis with them winning eight straight games as the schedule softened up a little bit.
I just have to wonder at this point what the extent of Ayton’s injury is. Is he actually injured or playing the “I’m hurt” card? Is the injury worse than the Suns are letting on?
They moved him to questionable for tonight’s game. Sounds like he’ll be playing soon. It does seem strange though when he initially seemed to play just fine with the injury.
Speaking of tonight's game, who's starting the game day thread? It's like a game of pass the bomb. Who's willing to risk blowing the winning streak or get past one more hurdle?
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
Wow, nice weekly thread! Love all the tables and info. Not to jinx anything, but I think we can win all 3 of our games this week. I don't believe in Dallas; I think we can take them both times.
Never was worried about Ayton and I think the staff handled it well. We didn't exactly play many quality opponents in this stretch so just taking time was fine with me.
I really liked that Amare guy. Had a lot of exciting plays for us. Definitely a fearless dunker.
What is smallball? I play basketball. I'm not a regular big man. I can switch from the center to the guards. The game is evolving. I'd be dominAyton if the WNBA would let me in. - Ayton
I really liked that Amare guy. Had a lot of exciting plays for us. Definitely a fearless dunker.
Huh. I couldn't tell, @AmareIsGod.
Yep, one of my all-time favorite Suns players. I still remember seeing him in Huntington Beach after drafted by the Suns at a pro summer league before his rookie season. Most ferocious Sun ever!
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
Wow. I about shit myself when I saw that at first!
What is smallball? I play basketball. I'm not a regular big man. I can switch from the center to the guards. The game is evolving. I'd be dominAyton if the WNBA would let me in. - Ayton
