標籤: Phoenixs

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have been in prime position for a playoff spot for most of the season. However, according to Devin Booker, during the five-game losing streak, it made that quest more difficult.

Before the Suns’ 5-game skid, the team was close to potentially missing the play-in game and clinching the No. 6 seed. Since that stretch, they have fallen back to seventh place, which would have put them in that game if the playoffs were to begin as of this writing.

“To be completely honest, we’ve put ourselves in a tough position now to make that six… focusing on playing the right brand of basketball… learning from the last five games,” Booker said via PHNX Suns postgame in the locker room on Twitter (formerly Twitter).

Although Booker’s comments may sound discouraging, it may be quite the opposite. Recognizing where they are and being honest is a key component to what Phoenix is ​​building.

Needless to mention, the influx of injuries came at a terrible time. This is not an excuse, but it plays a significant role in the recent shortcomings.

Jordan Ott agrees with Devin Booker’s sentiment

Although head coach Jordan Ott had spoken to Booker before, the two appeared to be in sync. Their chemistry and connection has been a constant progression ever since they were hired.

As mentioned earlier, accountability has been the Suns’ bread and butter, and he didn’t shy away from it when asked where the Suns’ mindset is regarding the play-in race.

Ott said after the game, “I think everybody understands. We try to keep it as basic as possible today to take care of your business.” “We want to be healthy, we want to play the right way. Again, feel like, we’ve been playing better lately. As we add body, we’ve got to continue that.

“We have to incorporate and improve, so everyone is fully aware. You get to this point of the year, you are not hiding. Everyone checks the standings equally. We don’t talk about it much.”

Jordan Ott didn’t shy away from where the Suns stand in the potential play-in race.

If it started today, they would be the No. 7 seed.

“I think everyone understands. We try to keep it as basic as possible to take care of your business today… You’ve gotten to this point… pic.twitter.com/N043G46rQT

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 23 March 2026

Phoenix will take on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, before finishing a home stand at the Utah Jazz. Getting two wins can take them closer to the sixth seed than before.

PHOENIX – Jordan Ott isn’t one to make excuses, but the Phoenix Suns’ plethora of injuries makes it easy to blame him. Although this is a valid and legitimate reason for the team’s struggles, the first-year head coach doesn’t want any sympathy.

However, he knows what his team needs.

“We just want everyone back,” Ott explained after the game following a 108–105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. “In one rhythm, there will be a blessing. We just want everyone back.”

Jordan Ott pushes @YoungNBA How he hopes the Suns can find a rhythm to finish the season.

“We just want everyone back. It would be a blessing to be in a rhythm. We just want everyone back.” pic.twitter.com/GV8zaTJ73f

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 March 2026

Phoenix had six players on the injury report ahead of Saturday’s contest. Haywood Highsmith, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neill were suddenly included in the last two games.

Some of it has to do with injury management, but most of it has to do with where the team is in the season. They are just a few weeks away from clinching a legitimate playoff berth.

Needless to mention, Devin Booker is playing through an ankle injury after what happened at the end of Thursday’s game. Ott’s summary was essentially a microcosm of where the group is in the season.

(He) knows what time of year it is, how important these games are, so he goes there. How can we help her more in the fourth trimester? So we’ll take a look. But it’s that time of year again. Sure, everyone is definitely feeling pain, tired and a little sore, but no one is going to save us,” Ott said.

Injuries have affected Suns’ success, according to Jordan Ott

Again, Ott doesn’t want people to feel sorry for him or the group. Injuries happen in the NBA, but they hurt whenever there’s a slight uptick in momentum.

The chemistry is slightly changed; People’s roles have expanded and they have adapted well. However, at some point, frustration continues to build as one thing takes over another.

Needless to mention, Phoenix had a chance to pull away after the first quarter, but Milwaukee scored 42 points over the next 12 minutes of action.

This set the stage for the final section to be an unpredictable contest. At that point, the Suns’ fatigue appeared, which is a bit concerning considering they are in the first leg of back-to-back sets.

There’s plenty of time to avenge the loss with a win on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. But the five-game skid is their longest of the season, and they will need to right the ship if they want to stay on pace for a playoff or play-in spot.