2020 has been a year of surprising things, but the Phoenix Suns late playoff push has really been eye-opening. Even at the beginning of the NBA restart, it was hard to picture the Suns rising to where they are today in the standings. Since arriving in Orlando, Phoenix has won all six of their games. During that span, Devin Booker has been on an absolute tear averaging over 30 points per game (30.3) while tallying 6 assists per game.
The team has been quite literally too hot to handle and are hoping their heatwave can last the remaining two games and get them into the play-in game for eighth place. While the run has been nice Suns coach is not taking it as a victory just yet.
“We haven’t accomplished anything,” Williams said after the Suns ran their record to 6-0 since the restart. “It may sound like coach speak, but we dug ourselves a hole with our record. … We’re here, and we’re thankful for that. But we haven’t accomplished anything as far as the main goal. Everybody is trying to get to the playoffs, and we’ve just said we’re going to take it one step at a time.”
Taking things one game at a time was a statement reiterated by Devin Booker.
“We’ve been playing really good basketball. We’ve been having fun on and off the court with each other. We’re becoming closer. We’re learning each other. And we’re communicating with each other.” Booker said. “So, we’re taking it one game at a time. That’s been our mindset since we got here, and we’re sticking with that. So, it’s been a competitive environment, a focused environment since we got down here. So we’re trying to maintain that, keep that going, and finish this thing out strong.”
Phoenix Suns
Currently, in 10th place, the Suns are a half-game back from the Portland Trailblazers for the eighth seed. Their road to the playoff was made more accessible Sunday, after a Memphis Grizzlies loss. The loss guaranteed a play-in game between the eighth and ninth seed to make it into the playoffs.
Despite their run, the Suns are likely to miss the playoffs again this year. The remaining two opponents on their schedule are the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers. Memphis still has a 62% chance to get the No. 8 seed in Western Conference, according to ESPN’s BPI Playoff Odds.
The Suns making the playoffs and the high caliber play from Devin Booker is a story on its own. But, the contributions that Phoenix is getting from multiple players is very encouraging for the years to come. We know what Booker can do on any given night, but what about how good Cameron Johnson is playing? Dario Saric and Mikal Bridges are also playing prominent roles.
No matter if the Suns make the playoffs or not, it is the improvement and signs the franchise has been hoping for for nearly five years. For the first time in a long time, there may be hope in Phoenix.
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