PHOENIX – The release of the 2025-2026 NBA season is one of the most exciting moments of the offseason, but after the reveal, should the Phoenix Suns be dreading next year? Phoenix schedule will have nine nationally televised games and has a home-friendly February, only having two roads game for the entire month.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, the Suns are tied for the most back-to-backs in the NBA with 16. The franchise will have endure a grueling, non-stop schedule that could hurt its overall record.
Jan 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and guard Bradley Beal (3) and forward Kevin Durant (35) stands on the floor during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Can Suns survive the back-to-backs:
During the 2024-2025 season, Phoenix was 4-12 when they had no rest. Last year’s roster was the oldest in the NBA, making the lack of rest hard to endure. The projected lineup for this upcoming season is already must younger, with the average age being around 25 years old. Trading away Durant and waiving Bradley Beal opened the door for general manager Brian Gregory to retool the team with much-needed youth.
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Khaman Maluach talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Gregory was able to grab three talented prospects in the draft in Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea. The trio had an encouraging Summer League performance and will likely be relied on back-to-backs in case a veteran is nursing an injury.
Jalen Green will be crucial in this regard. The 23-year-old plays nearly identical on a back-to-back compared to normal gaps between games. His efficiency from beyond the arc increases to above league average in games with zero days rest. The Rockets went 7-10 on back-to-backs last years, which was 14th in the league, and Green was a massive part of why it wasn’t worse.
Mar 2, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The usual suspect of Devin Booker will need to continue playing at an All-NBA level for the team to have a chance. While the talent is worse compared to last year, the youth of next year’s roster is suited to handle the grind of back-to-backs and could help Phoenix pick up some extra wins.
Key games that will define the Phoenix Suns’ 2025-2026 NBA season
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
