What was the name of that band led by former Format frontman Nate Ruess? You know the one. They stormed the early 2010s indie rock scene with anthems that felt like battle cries for the restless. Songs like ‘We Are Young’, ‘Some Nights’, and ‘Carry On’. Their sound was cinematic, their choruses explosive, their presence undeniable. It was more than just a band. It was a moment.
Fun.
That’s right. Solid band. And the perfect word to describe how the Phoenix Suns are playing basketball right now.
Week 22 caught everyone off guard. The Suns entered it fresh off a nationally televised embarrassment against the Lakers, a game so bad it felt like satire. The fallout was immediate. National pundits lined up like they were at an Ostrich Festival carnival booth, hurling insults like darts, each one landing with a satisfying thud. The narrative was set: the Suns were spiraling. But then, something unexpected happened.
They heard the noise. How could they not? Local media lobbing grenades, national voices unloading artillery. The criticism was deafening. But instead of folding, the Suns fired back the only way that matters: with a 3-0 run.
This wasn’t just winning. It was the best basketball they’ve played since the season’s honeymoon phase. Crisp. Connected. Confident. And the best part? They actually looked like they were enjoying themselves. For a team that’s often felt robotic, that shift might be the biggest win of all.
That’s been the issue, hasn’t it? For two seasons, this squad has had the personality of a vending machine. Mechanical. Just go out there, do your job, and go home. But this week? This week, we saw something different. High-fives that weren’t obligatory. Smiles that didn’t seem forced. A team that fed off each other’s success instead of just coexisting.
Maybe it’s fleeting. Maybe the shadows of past seasons will creep back in soon enough. But for one week in March, the Phoenix Suns didn’t just win. They played with joy, with energy, with something that felt real. And for the first time in a long time, we felt it too.
From the players to the crowd to the dub — the energy was on ANOTHER LEVEL last night! ⚡️
Rewinding to our third-straight victory! pic.twitter.com/34LTIahALX
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 22, 2025
Week 22 Record: 3-0
vs. Toronto Raptors, W, 129-89
Suns 3PAr: 42.4%
Suns 3PT%: 51.3%
The Suns’ beatdown of the Raptors wasn’t just a win. It was a spiritual cleanse. Toronto might be playing for lottery picks, but Phoenix dominated in every way, reasserting their will and reminding us why we still care.
This game didn’t fix the season, but it did re-center my soul. Watching this team impose its will — defensively, offensively, emotionally — was cathartic, a reminder that when they click, joy isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable. For one night, we got a glimpse of what could be. And man, it felt good.
vs. Chicago Bulls, W, 127-121
Suns 3PAr: 41.7%
Suns 3PT%: 37.5%
Two straight wins. In a row. Back-to-back. A streak! The Suns hadn’t done that since January, but hey, better late than never, right?
Just when we were ready to check out, emotionally packed and passport in hand, they slid us a free drink coupon and pulled us back in. Against the Bulls, they didn’t just win. They clicked. Energy. Disruption. Chemistry. Actual fun. And when they’re having fun, so are we.
vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, W, 122-106
Suns 3PAr: 45.7%
Suns 3PT%: 45.2%
Missing three key players and staring down the NBA’s best team, the Suns didn’t just win. They sent a message. A wire-to-wire beatdown, fueled by defensive tenacity, relentless rebounding, and a team-wide swagger that felt…different.
This wasn’t survival. This was domination. No Richards? No problem. No Plumlee? Who cares? Phoenix scrapped, hustled, and outworked a fully healthy juggernaut. Maybe it was the win of the year. Either way, it was damn enjoyable.
Week 22: 43.2% 3PAr, 44.6 3PT%
Another week, another 40/40 for the Suns. It’s the seventh time they’ve hit that mark this season. The results? A mixed bag. In those weeks, they’ve gone 13-10, a record that mirrors the team’s identity: flashes of brilliance, moments of frustration, and just enough inconsistency to keep everyone guessing.
But we’ve learned it’s not all about what happens on the offensive end, right? I mean, 13-10? On weeks in which your shooting better than 40% from deep on more than 40% of your total shots? It’s not everything.
The Suns posted a defensive rating of 110.7 this past week, allowing just 14.3 points off turnovers, sixth best in the NBA for Week 22. They also gave up only 12.0 second-chance points, ranking ninth. Yes, their offense is firing, but it’s the small, overlooked areas that are helping them win as well.
Week 23 Preview
Week 22 was a breath of fresh air, wasn’t it? A reminder that basketball, at its best, is supposed to be fun. But if you soaked it in, good. Because Week 23 isn’t here to entertain. It’s here to test.
Four games, three contenders, and not a soft spot in sight. The Suns face the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics at home, travel to Minnesota to battle the Timberwolves, then return to PHX Arena for the Houston Rockets. That’s the fifth seed in the East, the second seed, the seventh in the West, and oh yeah, the second seed again.
Unlike the Cavaliers, who played last week like seniors coasting toward graduation, these teams have something to fight for. Every game matters. Well, maybe not for Boston. But they’ve been resting guys all season and still smacking teams like it’s routine.
Last week was fun. Let’s see how we’re feeling in seven days.
The community had their doubts. A 1-2 week was the overwhelming expectation, pulling in 51% of the vote. Just 2% dared to predict a perfect 3-0 run. And yet, here we are. Looking back at a week that defied expectations, stunned skeptics, and, for the first time in a while, reminded us what this team is capable of. Surprising? To say the least.
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