The Phoenix Suns were in dire need of an upgrade at the trade deadline, but their primary target, Jimmy Butler, ultimately landed with the Golden State Warriors. The biggest move Phoenix nearly made was sending Kevin Durant to Golden State, but Durant was unwilling to be traded midseason, keeping the roster intact for the time being.
Since the All-Star break, the Suns have struggled significantly, posting a 1-5 record. Their last victory came on February 22 against the Chicago Bulls, and they have since suffered defeats against the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves. With their current trajectory, Phoenix is at serious risk of missing the Play-In Tournament altogether, which could mark the beginning of the end for Durant’s tenure with the franchise.
Suns fans initially hoped that a Luka Dončić trade before the deadline would cause the Dallas Mavericks to slide down the standings, particularly after Anthony Davis sustained an unfortunate injury. While the Mavericks have gone 6-7 since their major trade, they remain three and a half games ahead of the Suns in the standings, keeping Phoenix’s postseason aspirations on thin ice.
For the Suns to secure a Play-In spot, they have relied not only on their own performances but also on Dallas’ potential collapse. The Mavericks’ season has been plagued by injuries, a factor that could provide Phoenix with a much-needed opening. The situation worsened for Dallas on Tuesday when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending torn ACL in their recent game against the Sacramento Kings.
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Adding to their woes, the Mavericks have an extensive list of injured players, including Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Caleb Martin, Jaden Hardy, and P.J. Washington. Shortly after the Irving news, Chris Haynes reported that Jaden Hardy also sustained a sprained ankle, sidelining him for an indefinite period. The Mavericks are rapidly losing key players, and although Davis is expected to return this season, his presence alone might not be enough to keep Dallas in the Play-In picture if he cannot stay healthy.
This turn of events presents the Suns with a prime opportunity to leapfrog Dallas in the standings. However, Phoenix must still take care of business by securing victories, a task made even more difficult given that they face the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
That the Suns’ best hope of extending their season may rely on another team’s injuries speaks volumes about their current predicament. Simply making the Play-In Tournament would hardly be a cause for celebration, especially given the expectations that came with a healthy Durant and Devin Booker leading the team. The Suns now find themselves in a desperate fight for survival, one that will require both luck and resilience to overcome.
