Phx-Suns.Net

Suns #4 (-3) -The Suns won on opening night with two of their three stars on the floor, then split games with the Lakers and Jazz with only Kevin Durant available of their trio. Durant was phenomenal in the two games without Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, averaging 32.5 points on 56% shooting, but Saturday's win against Utah was a full-team effort. Eric Gordon, Jusuf Nurkić, Jordan Goodwin, Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie all had major contributions, an encouraging sign for the much-discussed Suns supporting cast.

#3 PHOENIX SUNS
Last Week:4↑
Record: 2-1
OffRtg: 107.2 (18) DefRtg: 100.7 (4) NetRtg: +6.5 (8) Pace: 102.2 (10)

The great thing about having three stars is that when one is out, you still have two. But when two are out…

Three takeaways

• With both Bradley Beal (back) and Devin Booker (foot) out for their games against the Lakers and Jazz, the Suns outscored their opponents by 48 points (30.1 per 100 possessions) in Kevin Durant’s 69 minutes on the floor and were outscored by 31 points (55.5 per 100 possessions) in his 27 minutes on the bench.

• Though Durant scored an efficient 39 points in 39 minutes, the Suns’ loss in L.A. on Thursday was the third worst offensive performance (95 points on 105 possessions) for any team in Week 1. Their assist/turnover ratio of 0.67 was the worst Week-1 mark by a healthy margin.
  Josh Okogie is the fifth starter for the Suns and began the season by guarding Stephen Curry on Tuesday and LeBron James on Thursday. The two stars combined to shoot 4-for-9 (with no free throws) with Okogie as the closest defender.

• Back and foot injuries can linger, so it’s already time to wonder how many games the Suns’ big three will play together. But there was some good stuff from Durant’s supporting cast against the Jazz on Saturday.

Even with all their star power, the Suns might be the less interesting team for their next three games, two against the Spurs and a visit to Philadelphia. Phoenix has won nine straight games against San Antonio.

Week 2: vs. SAS, vs. SAS, @ PHI, @ DET

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:21 pm

The week of Wembanyama. Back to back. The scouting report is to defend Victor physically which I have no doubt the Suns will do.

Cap wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:23 pm

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:21 pm

The week of Wembanyama. Back to back. The scouting report is to defend Victor physically which I have no doubt the Suns will do.

Eric Gordon is listed at 215 lbs. Victor Webanyamba is listed at 209 pounds.

You got this, Eric! Go get him!

Split T wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:33 pm

I wonder who we put on Wemby…assuming everyone is healthy…Probably Durant I guess

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 30, 2023 2:17 pm

It's pretty ironic that the oldest, by a wide margin, of our Big <= 3 is the one that's been able to play every game.

Wally_West wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 30, 2023 2:08 pm

Sit him as long as is it takes. Even if that means multiple weeks.

I my gut tells me Booker will be back by the end of this week.