The Phoenix Suns have had one of the most up-and-down seasons in the league. While they currently sit 11th in the Western Conference, they had built up some momentum before running into a rough patch. Now, the team is scrambling with just a few games left to make a final push toward the playoffs.
There’s plenty of drama swirling around Phoenix, too. Kevin Durant’s name has been tossed around in trade talks, and there are reports that the front office might shift gears and build around Devin Booker moving forward. That kind of uncertainty makes the upcoming offseason feel even more important.
The biggest question, though, is Bradley Beal. Will he still be a Sun next season? That’s unclear. Beal holds a no-trade clause, but that doesn’t mean a deal is impossible. If the right opportunity comes, he could waive it and head elsewhere.
He reportedly refused to waive it when the Suns tried to bring in Jimmy Butler, but the possibility of a trade this summer is still on the table. His future is one of the biggest storylines to watch.
Suns’ Star Bradley Beal Misses 7th Straight Game
Phoenix won’t have its full squad again, as Beal is set to miss his seventh straight game. This one carries a lot of weight, too, with the Suns needing a win to keep pace in the Western Conference play-in race.
Beal, who’s played in just 48 games this season, is dealing with a hamstring strain. He’s averaging 17.3 points per game on 50.5% shooting from the field and 39.5% from three — efficient numbers, but his availability has been a concern all season.
Without him in the lineup, the Suns will lean on Booker and Durant to finish the job. They’ll need both stars firing on all cylinders against the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets.
Can Phoenix Suns Make NBA Playoffs?
The path to the playoffs won’t be easy. The Suns are in a tight battle for the final play-in spots, and the schedule isn’t doing them any favors. The Mavericks, Kings, and Suns are all within one game of each other, which means every matchup could decide who’s in and who’s out.
The Mavericks are on the rise again, reportedly boosted by the return of Anthony Davis, while the Kings remain inconsistent. Phoenix can’t afford to drop many more games if it wants a chance to sneak in.
Beal is working to return, but until he’s cleared, the Suns will need to fight without him. There’s still time — but not much. Can Phoenix get hot at just the right time and keep their season alive?