PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are finding new life at the tail end of the season, winning their last three games and inching closer to the NBA’s final play-in spot. The Suns (34-37) are currently tied with the Dallas Mavericks for 10th in the Western Conference, but hold the tiebreaker over Dallas. With just a game-and-a-half separating them from the No. 9 seed Sacramento Kings (35-35), fans are wondering: can Phoenix catch up and make a legitimate push for the postseason?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns’ recent surge includes a thrilling 123-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday during their five-game homestand. The win, which was a stunning upset, was a statement for a Suns team that’s been fighting to stay relevant in the crowded Western Conference. With superstar Kevin Durant leading the charge, Phoenix has been able to string together wins and keep pace with the pack.
“We got to match his [Coach Bud] energy,” Durant said after the Cleveland win. The upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks will mark the first time Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer faces his former team since being fired by the Bucks after the 2022-23 season. Under Budenholzer, the Bucks won the 2020-21 NBA Championship, defeating the Suns in the Finals.
Despite a tough remaining schedule, including Monday’s matchup against the Bucks, the Suns are poised to make a push for the 9th seed. With the Kings struggling in recent games and Domantas Sabonis still listed as questionable, Phoenix has a chance to catch Sacramento, further solidifying their spot in the Play-In Tournament.
The race for the final Western Conference spots is tightening, and for Suns fans, the belief in a late-season turnaround is starting to grow.
Suns have Budenholzer’s back in first game against former team
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Reporter Reyna Stanley covers the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X @rey_stanley776.
