The month of November was a strong one for the Phoenix Suns, but the last week of it, the team took a step back. Going 1-3 this past week, Phoenix struggled against some of the Western Conference’s top teams. They fought hard against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but against the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets, games that were the second ends of back-to-backs, the team struggled.
Here are the main questions for Week 6 we want your thoughts on:
What do you make of the Suns’ performance against top teams?
In their games against the Rockets, Thunder, and Nuggets, the Suns were missing key players, but so were their opponents, including Houston playing without Kevin Durant. The Nuggets were also on the second end of a back-to-back as well. Mark Williams didn’t play against Houston or Denver, and Ryan Dunn didn’t play in any of them. While he didn’t play in the first three games of the week, Grayson Allen returned to action against Denver, but looked rusty and struggled from three.
Against the Rockets and Nuggets, the game was a single-digit contest early in the fourth, but as the quarter went on, they took commanding leads, and Phoenix could not respond. Against the Thunder, however, after getting down as much as 15 in the fourth, the Suns made Oklahoma City fight through the final buzzer, which included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking over late, something he’s not had to do much this year because they’ve been dominating their opponents.
Despite the loss, people were pleased with the team’s performance. What did you think of the Suns’ performances against the West’s best this week?
How does the offense adjust to Grayson Allen back?
The Duke product returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a quad contusion. Compared to how he’s played this season, Allen’s performance was meager, at best. With him back, the Suns’ starting lineup projects to be: Allen, Williams, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Royce O’Neale, at least while Jalen Green is out. The team was in a rhythm before Allen’s injury, but since, both Booker and O’Neale have struggled with their efficiency. Booker hasn’t shot over 50% from the field since Allen got hurt.
With one of the best three-point shooters in the game back, how does the offense adjust to his presence?
What do the Suns have to prove in the NBA Cup?
The team clinched a spot in the NBA Cup this past week. They’ll go to Oklahoma to face the Thunder on December 10th in the Quarterfinals. Phoenix went 3-1 in cup play and is the lone Western Conference team to make the Quarterfinals that didn’t win their group.
If the Suns beat the Thunder, they’ll face the winner of the Lakers/Spurs, two of the best teams. What does Phoenix have to prove with the national spotlight on them, playing against some of the best teams in the NBA?
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