Story by
Suns' Season Could Look Completely Different After This Week
- Story by
- Suns' Season Could Look Completely Different After This Week
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Phoenix Suns are entering a week that actually has a chance to define the season.
This seems to be a recurring theme on a weekly basis, but the four games ahead have a strong case to actually reign true.
Advertisement
Phoenix begins the week by facing a Golden State Warriors squad that will presumably have Stephen Curry in the lineup, but the importance of the week extends far beyond this.
Wednesday: Portland Trail Blazers
This is a rematch of the season-opening 124-83 loss to Portland.
This time around, the game comes to Phoenix. The Blazers will also be without point guard Ja Morant due to a hamstring injury.
How does this absence impact the Blazers? Will it be more challenging for role players such as Toumani Camara to receive clean looks? Does this affect the Blazers' efforts to pressure the rim?
Beyond the opponent, this is a major opportunity for the Suns to prove the offensive performance in the last matchup was a fluke. Watch Devin Booker to be an early and often feature of the offense, as well as Collin Gillespie as a driver of the bench unit.
Advertisement
Thursday: Orlando Magic
It feels as if the Suns always take the Magic on later in the year.
This isn't the case this season, as Phoenix welcomes the Magic to Mortgage Matchup Center as the second half of a back-to-back.
Cracking the Magic's defensive code won't be a simple task, especially on a back-to-back. Expect Booker to see frequent pressure from both Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.
This is a game that presents a real opportunity for Jalen Green to make a difference, as well as the center rotation of Oso Ighodaro/Khaman Maluach. Green has a chance to take advantage of on-ball advantages Booker's coverage creates, while the centers are pitting against an Orlando rotation that isn't exceptional at rebounding.
Advertisement
Saturday: Houston Rockets
This is the main event of the week.
The Rockets are coming into the week with a 6-1 record and seem to be bucking expectations they had entering the 2026-27 season.
Storylines are running amok this game as well. The most obvious of which is Kevin Durant making another trip back to Phoenix, while Dillon Brooks and Green are taking on their former franchise as well.
This matchup is going to be another that is won on the glass, with three-point volume shaping up to be a decider in its own right.
