Author: Hayden Barto
The Phoenix Suns have officially hit their first bump in the road this season. Heading into a six-day break, the Suns do so after a loss to the New York Knicks, marking their fifth straight defeat. Their current record stands at 9-7, a sharp contrast to their strong 8-1 start. With Kevin Durant sidelined due to a calf injury, Phoenix faces a tough challenge to regain momentum early in the season.
One major issue for the Suns is their lack of scoring options beyond Devin Booker. While role players like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale have shown flashes of potential, they’ve struggled with consistency, leaving Phoenix searching for more reliable contributors.
On a brighter note, Josh Okogie has stepped up during the team’s tough stretch. After missing the first eight games of the season, Okogie is now posting career highs: 10.6 points per game, 55.1% shooting from the field, and 50% from beyond the arc. His defensive intensity and hustle make him a key piece off the bench. If the Suns can turn things around, Okogie could play a crucial role in their success.
Backup point guard Monte Morris has also been a stabilizing force. Limited to just six games earlier in the season, Morris has since proven he can provide much-needed consistency at the backup point guard spot.
Kevin Durant’s absence is perhaps the Suns’ biggest challenge. Before his calf injury, Durant was playing at an MVP-caliber level, showing why he remains one of the league’s elite players at age 36. His return will be a game-changer for Phoenix, providing leadership and top-tier scoring that the team sorely misses.
Bradley Beal is another star the Suns are missing. Beal had started the season strong, adapting to his new 3&D role and delivering clutch scoring when needed. Without him, Phoenix has struggled to fill the gap. Beal’s return will be vital in easing the burden on Devin Booker and the rest of the team.
When Durant and Beal return, the Suns should find themselves in a much better position. Role players will face less pressure, and Booker won’t have to carry as much of the load. Coming off his Olympic run, Booker has adjusted his game, focusing on efficiency over volume. With the team at full strength, Booker will be able to thrive even more.
The Suns are battling an early-season injury bug, but with plenty of games left, there’s time to make adjustments. Once their stars return, Phoenix has the potential to regain momentum and prove why they were considered contenders at the start of the season.
