PHOENIX – Monday’s night loss to the Boston Celtics could be the night that the Phoenix Suns and fans look back for why the team fell into the Play-In at the end of the season. After trailing all game, the Suns had a flurry in the fourth quarter to take a four-point lead, with less than four minutes to go. Boston swiftly responded with a 14-2 run, which Phoenix had no answer for in 120-112 loss.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The franchise falls to 39-29, with back-to-back losses, remaining in the seventh seed and in the Play-In. Tonight’s loss stings because of the opportunity in front of them with the three teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings.
Mar 16, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) controls the ball against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Can Suns make up ground to avoid Play-In?
The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves had off days, but both teams were coming off a loss and only 1.5 game lead over the Suns entering Monday. The third team, the Houston Rockets, faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center and loss, falling to 41-26.
All three teams ahead of Phoenix loss in the past two days. A win over Boston would’ve put it only a game behind Minnesota and Denver for the sixth and fifth seed, while only a 1.5 games separating Houston for the fourth seed.
Mar 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Then, the franchise would’ve traveled to face the Timberwolves on Tuesday night without Anthony Edwards, with an opportunity to jump out of the Play-In. However, the Suns won’t have that luxury because of the late run surrendered, remaining two games behind their rival.
Besides the obvious of not having its playoff spot locked, avoiding the Play-In should be the franchise’s top priority to avoid playing a top two seed in the West. Phoenix would either play a Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio Spurs team or the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder led by MVP front runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jan 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Suns are 2-1 vs. the Spurs and 1-3 vs. the Thunder, either would be a scary matchup for the organization. If the team could jump to the sixth seed, they could avoid both teams in the first round and play a Los Angeles Lakers squad that they are 3-1 against this season.
To reach that point it needs to make up some ground. Of the three teams ahead of it, Phoenix plays each of them once in the final 14 games of the season. The dream is not dead for the organization to make up two games and avoid the Play-In. But, the Suns aren’t doing themselves any favors.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
