PHOENIX –Tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets will be the Phoenix Suns last game before the All-Star break, and it couldn’t come soon enough. Losers of five of their previous six games, the Suns sit 11th in the Western Conference at 26-27, a game outside of the Play-In. Phoenix hasn’t been able to be consistent with players in and out of the lineup because of injuries.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns got some back last night against the Memphis Grizzlies with Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen. However, Bradley Beal missed his third straight game, and the two newly acquired Suns, Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic, still not suiting up. And it only gets worse tonight, with Devin Booker listed as out with a back injury. Beal and Martin stay on the injury report, both expected to return after the All-Star break, while Allen returns with a knee injury to keep him out tonight against this talented Rockets team.
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and Devin Booker (1) against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The No. 4th seeded Houston Rockets have experienced similar struggles, losing sixth straight before Sunday’s win against the Toronto Raptors. Defensive-minded head coach Ime Udoka has turned the franchise around to be one of the premier teams in the Western Conference. Houston is fourth in defensive rating (109.3), led by the scrappy and controversial Dillion Brooks.
Offensively, first-time All-Star Alperen Sengun is the team’s primary playmaker with 19.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. The fourth-year Rocket Jalen Green’s 21.4 points a game leads his squad, and despite his streaky shooting, he’s a dangerous threat whenever the ball is in his hands.
Houston’s injury report does have Sengun questionable, with Jabari Smith Jr. (left metacarpal fracture) and Fred VanVleet (right ankle sprain) still out for the team.
Each franchise needs a win heading into the All-Star break, but only one can when it tips off in the Toyota Center at 6:30 pm.
Recap: Suns drop 119-112 to Grizzlies, Durant’s historic night spoiled
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
