PHOENIX — ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith did not hold back in his criticism of the Phoenix Suns following their third straight blowout loss, this time to the Houston Rockets. Taking to Twitter, Smith expressed his disbelief at the Suns’ struggles this season, citing a lack of pride and intensity on the court.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“And btw……I’m still speechless as to how awful Suns this year. I mean, Damn! No sense of pride whatsoever,” Smith wrote in his tweet. “The Houston Rockets are real. Especially defensively. But they’ve got the Suns looking like they want no part of being on the court.”
The Suns, now sitting at No. 11 in the Western Conference standings, are all but eliminated from playoff contention. Their latest loss to Houston, which saw superstar Kevin Durant leave the game due to injury, only added to the mounting frustration. Durant’s injury, though not yet fully detailed, further complicates an already dire situation for Phoenix.
Mar 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Smith went on to suggest that the Suns’ lack of effort may point to larger organizational issues, including coaching. “I’ve got to look at Coach Budenholzer,” Smith added, referencing former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. “The players are not buying in. Change has to come in Phoenix. I’ve seen enough.”
With the Suns in freefall and now dealing with the potential loss of Durant, sitting out of the play-in tournament and without any clear answers, the pressure is mounting on both the coaching staff and players. The lack of chemistry and focus on the court has led many, including Smith, to question what needs to change to turn the team around before it’s too late. With less than three weeks left in the season, time is running out for Phoenix to salvage what’s left of their postseason hopes.
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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.
