The Phoenix Suns played two games in a 10-day span due to Emirates NBA Cup scheduling and return to a regular schedule moving forward ahead of their matchup against the Indiana Pacers tonight.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Would Phoenix have liked to qualify for the Las Vegas semifinals? Sure. But being eliminated became just as fruitful. Plagued with injuries to various players — most notably star Kevin Durant — and on the heels of a three-game losing streak, the break allowed Phoenix and Durant to become whole again.
As they prepare for a home matchup against Indiana with a clean injury report (Bradley Beal (knee) is AVAILABLE), here are three things to watch vs. the Pacers tonight:
1. Bradley Beal is back… what does this mean?
Not only was Suns guard/forward Bradley Beal sidelined in the last two wins with right knee swelling, he was also a topic of trade conversations after Phoenix was reported as a prime candidate for Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
Rough week to say the least. Nonetheless, the three-time NBA All-Star is returning to the lineup to play in his 16th game this season.
What does this mean for the Suns?
It’s simple, really. Phoenix is adding another All-Star caliber player to the lineup. Beal has been impacting winning in various ways all season. Whether it be timely scoring or turning into a glue guy defensively. He hasn’t been the All-Star he was in Washington, but he’s been a star in his role this season and will continue impacting games alongside Durant and Devin Booker.
2. Will the Suns find their defensive identity again?
When asked about Phoenix’s (14-11) early struggles defensively, Durant gave a quick retort.
“Which early struggles?,” the 17-year veteran asked. “I feel like we’ve been playing pretty solid defense when we were whole as a group. We’ve got an identity on that end that we want to stand on each game.”
What exactly is that identity, though?
Durant added, “a team that could fly around, closeout, make multiple efforts, guard your man individually and be great help team defenders.”
Statistically, the Suns have struggled defensively. They have a 114.9 defensive rating, which ranks them 21st in the league. Durant is a huge part in that and is why, from his perspective, they are solid defensively when he plays. In the 10 games he’s missed this season, Phoenix has a team defensive rating of 123.3, which would put them dead last in the league.
The Pacers, a fast-paced, respected offense, will be a great test for a healthy Suns’ defense.
3. Can Tyus Jones continue his impressive stretch?
One of the revelations of Beal being out, and of the entire season, really, is that Tyus Jones has been playing like Phoenix’s real third-star. It’s not a knock on Beal at all, it’s an indictment on just how well Jones has been playing for the Suns.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said that Jones was “tailor made” for Phoenix ahead of their matchup on Sunday. And he has been great.
The 10-year point guard is averaging a career-high 12.8 points per game and dishing out 6.9 assists, second-highest of his career.
In his last three games (two without Beal), Jones is averaging 19.7 points and 7.0 assists on ridiculous 61.8-72.2-100.0 shooting splits. I don’t think the Suns brass thought he’d even be this good.
Jones is matched up against a top-tier, but struggling, point guard in Tyrese Haliburton tonight. The game could pose as a statement that Jones should be considered a high-caliber guard in the association.
With tip-off in a couple hours, you can watch the Suns try to extend their two-game winning streak against the Pacers on Arizona’s Family Sports at 7 p.m. MST.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
