Sports
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Suns' Playoff Hopes Dim: 7 Games Left, 11th Seed
Suns' Playoff Hopes Hinge on Final Seven Games
The Phoenix Suns, despite a 7-8 finish in March, remain in 11th place in the Western Conference, one game outside the play-in tournament with seven games left in the regular season. Their playoff hopes hinge on overcoming the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns’ challenging final stretch begins with a three-game road trip against Eastern Conference opponents. Star player Kevin Durant is expected to miss this trip due to an ankle injury suffered against the Houston Rockets. This absence significantly impacts their chances against the Milwaukee Bucks (missing Damian Lillard), the New York Knicks (missing Jalen Brunson), and a yet-to-be-determined opponent. The team faces an uphill battle due to its depth and interior issues.
Upon returning to Arizona, the Suns face a difficult schedule. They play the Golden State Warriors, a team on a hot streak since acquiring Jimmy Butler. They then play the Oklahoma City Thunder, who may rest key players given their strong record and a preceding game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The regular season concludes at home against the San Antonio Spurs, a team currently focused on a high lottery pick.
A win against the Spurs could prove pivotal. If the Suns and Kings finish with identical records, the Suns would hold the tiebreaker due to their superior divisional record. The Suns need to stay within one game of Sacramento heading into this final matchup to maintain their playoff aspirations.
This season has been disappointing for the Suns, who entered with the league's highest payroll and championship expectations. After an initial 8-1 start, they lost 13 of their next 19 games, hovering around .500 before a dismal 3-10 February dropped them to 28-32 overall. While season-ending injuries to Victor Wembanyama and Kyrie Irving have offered a glimmer of hope, the Suns face the toughest remaining strength of schedule. Their final performance will ultimately determine whether their season extends beyond the regular season.
The Phoenix Suns, despite a 7-8 finish in March, remain in 11th place in the Western Conference, one game outside the play-in tournament with seven games left in the regular season. Their playoff hopes hinge on overcoming the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns’ challenging final stretch begins with a three-game road trip against Eastern Conference opponents. Star player Kevin Durant is expected to miss this trip due to an ankle injury suffered against the Houston Rockets. This absence significantly impacts their chances against the Milwaukee Bucks (missing Damian Lillard), the New York Knicks (missing Jalen Brunson), and a yet-to-be-determined opponent. The team faces an uphill battle due to its depth and interior issues.
Upon returning to Arizona, the Suns face a difficult schedule. They play the Golden State Warriors, a team on a hot streak since acquiring Jimmy Butler. They then play the Oklahoma City Thunder, who may rest key players given their strong record and a preceding game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The regular season concludes at home against the San Antonio Spurs, a team currently focused on a high lottery pick.
A win against the Spurs could prove pivotal. If the Suns and Kings finish with identical records, the Suns would hold the tiebreaker due to their superior divisional record. The Suns need to stay within one game of Sacramento heading into this final matchup to maintain their playoff aspirations.
This season has been disappointing for the Suns, who entered with the league's highest payroll and championship expectations. After an initial 8-1 start, they lost 13 of their next 19 games, hovering around .500 before a dismal 3-10 February dropped them to 28-32 overall. While season-ending injuries to Victor Wembanyama and Kyrie Irving have offered a glimmer of hope, the Suns face the toughest remaining strength of schedule. Their final performance will ultimately determine whether their season extends beyond the regular season.
