Last Word On Sports • 26/01/2025

Center’s Time on the Suns Could Be Coming to an Ugly End

Last appearing on January 7th, it appears that may have been the final time Phoenix Suns fans will see Jusuf Nurkic in purple and orange. Rumors suggest the team is desperate to trade Nurkic, and their desire was signaled by his complete removal from the rotation. They also acquired Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets, which has demoted him to fourth string.
Nurkic’s rocky relationship with the franchise took a dramatic turn when the player revealed he has not spoken to head coach Mike Bude...

Last Word On Sports • 26/01/2025

Phoenix Suns Could Pivot to Another All-Star if Butler Pursuit Fails

The Phoenix Suns appear all-in on acquiring disgruntled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, but if they are unable to agree terms, they could turn to another talent in Zach LaVine. The Chicago Bulls have long entertained the idea of trading the two-time All-Star in their continued attempts to enter a rebuild, but have not been able to move on. Phoenix emerged as an interesting destination, as Jake Fischer describes them as a team to watch.
Suns insider John Gambadoro reported that a move for LaVine se...

Last Word On Sports • 19/01/2025

Suns Star’s Return to All-Star Form Fuels Recent Stretch

There is no denying that this is far from Devin Booker’s best season in a Phoenix Suns jersey, but recent outings have suggested a return to form for the four-time All-Star. The Suns have had a tumultuous season, filled with injuries and trade rumors. It has gravely affected their play on the court, with the team in a battle for a play-in spot. They are tied for 10th in the West with a 21-20 record but are only two games back of the Los Angeles Lakers in sixth.
An improved week and a half has se...

Last Word On Sports • 16/01/2025

Suns Make Center Move Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Phoenix Suns have made a key move ahead of the February 6th trade deadline, acquiring center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns also received a second-round pick via the Denver Nuggets and, in return, sent Josh Okogie and an additional three second-round picks.
Richards has had a solid season in Charlotte, serving as a backup to Mark Williams. He is averaging 8.9 points on 56.1% shooting with 7.5 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. In a victory over the Suns last week, he produc...

Last Word On Sports • 08/01/2025

Another Loss Leaves Suns Playoff Hopes Hanging By a Thread

The Phoenix Suns missing the playoffs is a scenario that nobody could imagine, especially with a roster that includes Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. However, it is a reality that may occur should things not change – and quickly.
Already 35 games into the season, the Suns are on the outside looking in, occupying the 12th seed in the Western Conference. Following a 115-104 loss at the Charlotte Hornets, they now have a record of 16-19. This means they trail the Sacramento Kings, who...

Last Word On Sports • 03/01/2025

NBA All-Star Voting Sees Suns Stars Involved

It is that time of the year when the NBA All-Star Game becomes a hot topic of discussion with the event taking place in mid-February. The first fan voting return for this year’s spectacle has been revealed, and there are some interesting results.
The Phoenix Suns have not had a good season, as they are currently 15-17 and 11th in the Western Conference. However, that is not to discredit the individual performances of Kevin Durant, whose displays have earned him the second most votes in the West....

Last Word On Sports • 24/12/2024

Suns Last 5 Christmas Day Games

Christmas Day is always a special time for the NBA, with star-studded matchups yearly. The Phoenix Suns will be involved once more, as they take on the Denver Nuggets. It will be the fourth year in a row in which the Suns will be playing on the 25th, and they will be taking on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Historically, they have a 12-9 record all-time on Christmas Day, but they will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
Last season, the Suns took on the Dallas Mavericks looking to avoid f...

Last Word On Sports • 21/12/2024

Suns Star Out At Least 2 Games as Injury Woes Continue

The Phoenix Suns have yet another injury to deal with as star guard Devin Booker will be out for at least two games with left groin soreness. This is a huge blow for the side, as they had just welcomed back Bradley Beal from a two-game absence of his own. Booker’s injury occurred early in the second half of Thursday night’s loss to the Indiana Pacers and he did not return after the five-minute mark of the third quarter.
While Booker will miss his first games of the season, he and the team hope t...

Last Word On Sports • 14/12/2024

Latest Beal Injury Sums Up Suns Big 3 Era

The Phoenix Suns got back to winning ways against the Utah Jazz after a three-game skid, in most part due to the return of Kevin Durant from injury. Without the 36-year-old, the Suns have a 1-9 record, which soars to 12-2 when he is in the lineup. It is clear that the two-time Finals MVP is the Suns’ most important player. If the Suns are to contend for an NBA Championship, a clean bill of health is a must. So when Bradley Beal was ruled out shortly before tip-off with right knee swelling, it wa...

Last Word On Sports • 13/12/2024

Suns to Give Big 3 One More Chance Before Deciding on Butler Trade

This week the Phoenix Suns were surprisingly linked with a trade for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, with the team named a desirable destination for the six-time all-star. Butler’s agent quickly shut down the link first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. However, Charania doubled down, emphasizing that the Suns were a team to ‘keep a very close eye on’.
John Gambadoro, a local Suns reporter, reported that Butler’s number one preferred choice is Phoenix. There is no deal imminent, but if the Suns w...

Last Word On Sports • 04/12/2024

Suns Star Joins Elite Company as He Eclipses 15k Points

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has become the 22nd active NBA player to score 15,000 points in their career. He did so in Tuesday night’s NBA Cup victory over the San Antonio Spurs, in which he produced 29 points. Entering the game, Booker was on 14,999 points, but he quickly breached the 15k barrier with a jump shot 23 seconds in.
He is the ninth-youngest player to achieve this feat, joining an illustrious list of players that includes Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and his teammate Kevin Durant.Wh...

Last Word On Sports • 04/12/2024

Suns Star Suffers Another Injury Blow as he Exits Game Early

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant exited Tuesday night’s NBA Cup win over the San Antonio Spurs with an ankle injury. The injury occurred with four-and-a-half minutes to go in the second quarter as he rolled his ankle. Royce O’Neale replaced Durant shortly after his final sighting of the evening. He did convert a jump shot before his exit to take his tally to 13 points, which could suggest his withdrawal was nothing more than a precaution. Grayson Allen started the second half in his place before h...

Last Word On Sports • 29/11/2024

Jusuf Nurkic Responds to Fan Criticism

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic has hit back at fan criticism regarding his performances for the team. It has been 14 months since the Bosnian was traded to the Suns. He was a smaller part of the deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, it seems he has not been as embraced as he would’ve liked, amongst just over a year of instability and inconsistency for the franchise.
After the Suns’ 127-100 victory over the LA Lakers on Tuesday night, Nurkic made the odd claim that peop...

Last Word On Sports • 26/11/2024

The Suns Face Must-Win to Stay Alive in NBA Cup

Whilst the Phoenix Suns’ main aim is to win the NBA Championship this season, there will still be an eye on success in the NBA Cup. However, if they are to have any chance of lifting this year’s trophy, they must win against the LA Lakers on Tuesday to keep those hopes alive. This will be the Suns’ third cup game so far, in which they have won one and lost one. Another defeat would end their chances of moving on.
The Suns’ quest for NBA Cup glory last season ended at the first knockout stage aga...

Last Word On Sports • 24/11/2024

The Suns Should Not Be Worried by Grayson Allen's Slow Start

Grayson Allen has struggled to reach the heights he did last season, but his slow start should not concern the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have endured a rapid downturn in results since injuries to Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, including a current five-game losing streak. There have been inconsistent offensive performances across the roster, but for Allen, there are multiple factors which have played into his dip in production. However, there is currently no suggestion that these struggles should pe...

Last Word On Sports • 21/11/2024

The Suns Get a Much-Needed Break After 5-Game Slump

The Phoenix Suns face a rare five-day break as their next game is not until next Tuesday when they face the LA Lakers in the NBA Cup. It has been a familiar story for the Suns, as injuries have derailed their early season form. After beginning the season 8-1, they have since fallen to 9-7, much in part due to the absences of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Following their 138-122 defeat to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, they have lost five games in a row and dropped to seventh in the Wes...

Last Word On Sports • 17/11/2024

The Suns Need Devin Booker to Return to MVP Level

The Phoenix Suns have enjoyed a strong start to the NBA season, though they are still waiting for MVP-caliber star Devin Booker to get going. Their 9-4 record has them fifth in the Western Conference, but they have lost three of the last four as they navigate a stint without Kevin Durant. It was a costly victory against the Dallas Mavericks that altered the course of their young season, as they improved to 8-1 but lost Durant to a calf strain.
Durant’s performances have earned him a top-three ap...

Last Word On Sports • 16/11/2024

Josh Okogie Emerges as Scoring Threat amid Suns Injury Woes

It is just 13 games into the new NBA season, but the injury bug has already hit the Phoenix Suns. One player who has benefitted from the absences of his teammates is Josh Okogie. The 26-year-old dealt with an injury of his own to start the campaign but is now playing an extended role. Kevin Durant is the biggest missing piece as he deals with a left calf strain, but he has since been joined on the sidelines by Bradley Beal, who is suffering from a similar injury. Jusuf Nurkic has missed a couple...

Last Word On Sports • 10/11/2024

Suns Star to be Re-evaluated in 2 Weeks with Calf Strain

Kevin Durant suffered a left calf strain during the Phoenix Suns’ 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. Durant recorded 26 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the victory and showed no clear signs of injury. It will be a huge loss for a Suns team that is having an excellent start to the season with an 8-1 record. They currently sit atop the Western Conference, tied with the OKC Thunder. The Suns announced that he will be re-evaluated in two weeks, which will see him m...

Last Word On Sports • 09/11/2024

Suns Clutch Time Play Continues to be a Strength

The Phoenix Suns have started the season with an 8-1 record, mostly due to their dominance in the clutch.  This record also matches the best start to a season in franchise history, which occurred in both 1980-81 and 2009-10.  In nine games so far, the Suns have been involved in seven clutch games, winning all of them.  A ‘clutch’ game is defined as a game in which the score is within five points with less than five minutes remaining.
On Friday night, the Suns won their latest clutch game, a 114-...

Last Word On Sports • 06/11/2024

The Suns Need to Reduce Kevin Durant’s Workload

It is just seven games into the NBA season, but Kevin Durant has already seen a huge workload for the Phoenix Suns. He has performed excellently so far, leading his side to an early 6-1 record and averaging 27.1 points per game. However, at 36 years old, Durant is playing a total of 39.3 minutes per game, which the Suns will need to reduce in order to maximize his effectiveness later in the season.
Last season, the Suns were fortunate to lean on Durant’s healthiest season since 2018-19, in which...

Last Word On Sports • 24/10/2024

Suns Victory over Clippers Shows Clear Difference From Last Season

It was not pretty, but the Phoenix Suns recorded their first victory of the season with a 116-113 win over the LA Clippers. The Clippers debuted their new arena, the Intuit Dome, but their opener was spoiled by an overtime victory led by Kevin Durant late on. There was certainly some sloppiness that the Suns will need to clean up going forward, but new head coach Mike Budenholzer will be pleased to see the team overcome a weakness that plagued them so much last year.
Plenty of the discussion aro...

Last Word On Sports • 23/10/2024

A Look at the Last Five Suns Season Openers

It is always important for the Phoenix Suns to get off to a winning start in season openers, particularly in a conference as competitive as the West.  The Suns have title-winning aspirations this campaign, and victory over the LA Clippers in their first game will give them momentum heading into a busy first two weeks.
But how have they fared in the last five seasons and what has it led to?Last year, the Suns began with a victory over the Golden State Warriors in their season opener.  It was the...

Last Word On Sports • 18/10/2024

Suns Have an Opportunity to Start the Season Strong

The Phoenix Suns have big aspirations this season and will want to start it strong as their window for an NBA Championship shortens with each passing year. With Kevin Durant not getting any younger and a roster hamstrung by three huge contracts, it feels like this has to be the year the Suns make a run at the finals. They have not made the biggest stage since 2021 and have endured some embarrassing playoff exits in the years following.
With the trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal unde...