Last Word On Sports • 25/03/2025

The Suns Are in a 3-Way Battle for the Final Two Play-In Spots

Only 10 games remain in the NBA regular season, but the Phoenix Suns are making one final push for the play-in seeds. For some time, it was tough to envision the Suns even making the top 10 despite their star talent. But a recent upturn in form has seen them close the gap on the teams above them. After a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, their fourth in a row, they now occupy the final play-in position, tied with the 11th-place Dallas Mavericks. They are also half a game back from th...

Last Word On Sports • 18/03/2025

Suns Guard Set to Miss More Time With Another Injury

Injuries have defined Bradley Beal’s Phoenix Suns tenure, and a left hamstring strain will sideline him once more. Now approaching almost two seasons with the franchise, Beal has already missed 50 games, including 21 this season. His latest setback occurred in the Suns’ 107-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon, as he did not return for the second half after recording four points.
Ahead of the Suns’ back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors, head coach Mike Budenholzer said they w...

Last Word On Sports • 05/03/2025

Suns Hope Dramatic Comeback Can Fuel Late-Season Surge

The Phoenix Suns needed a win badly, and they got it in unlikely circumstances with a 23-point comeback at home to the LA Clippers on Tuesday night. Winning by two, it was a remarkable turn of events for a Suns team that was being booed by their own fans just minutes before their resurgence began. After producing a strong finish to the first quarter, they fell apart in the second, leading to a 16-point deficit at halftime.
Unsurprisingly, a poor third-quarter team did not stray from the course....

Last Word On Sports • 05/03/2025

Suns Turn to Unlikely Hero in Fourth Quarter Comeback

The Phoenix Suns do not have many NBA champions on their roster, but two-way player Collin Gillespie is one of them. The former Denver Nuggets man has spent most of the season either on the sidelines injured, or with the team’s G-League affiliate, Valley Suns. But on Tuesday night he was at the heart of a 23-point comeback for the Suns against the LA Clippers, keeping their season alive, which was hanging by a thread.
Gillespie, alongside Kevin Durant, fueled an incredible fourth quarter resurge...

Last Word On Sports • 02/03/2025

3 Biggest Moves That Doomed the Phoenix Suns

When the Phoenix Suns made the move to trade for Kevin Durant in February 2023 and pair him with Devin Booker, many placed a championship ceiling on the side, and rightly so. The then-26-year-old superstar had teamed up with a two-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer. They immediately became one of, if not the best, duos in the NBA. Injuries meant they had only played eight games together before the 2023 playoffs. They reached the second round, where the eventual champions, the Denver Nugg...

Last Word On Sports • 27/02/2025

A Suns Rebuild Should Not Include a Devin Booker Trade

The last two seasons have been a disaster for the Phoenix Suns, and have led to reports of a rebuild in the summer, which could include a Kevin Durant trade, and perhaps more shockingly, Devin Booker’s departure.
No reports suggest an impending break-up between the franchise and its much-loved star; however, the Dallas Mavericks’ recent trade of Luka Doncic shows any player is expendable. Dealing Booker would be a last resort, a scenario where the Suns have got to a point of no return. The Suns...

Last Word On Sports • 21/02/2025

Suns Rookie’s Reduced Minutes is Non-Sensical

The Phoenix Suns selected Ryan Dunn with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 draft, appealed by his high defensive upside. His offensive skill set was questionable, but he looked to fill a role in a poor defensive side. He has done exactly that, providing promise to a team whose current and future trajectory looks bleak.
Alongside Kevin Durant, it is safe to say that Dunn is the Suns’ best and most trusted defender. While this says a lot about the poor state of the team’s roster construction, the...

Last Word On Sports • 13/02/2025

Phoenix Suns Finally Turn To Bol Bol In Bid to Salvage Season

Despite a quiet trade deadline with no major additions, Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer has turned to a new face in Bol Bol to provide a spark on both ends. The team’s dismal season has them below .500 with a 26-28 record at the All-Star break. It puts them 11th in the Western Conference, with an uphill battle in the second half. 
It is a disappointing and unexpected position for a team that boasts one of the NBA’s most talented duos in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Poor health, incons...

Last Word On Sports • 07/02/2025

Phoenix Suns Trade Deadline Hints Towards Off-Season Breakup

It is safe to say that the Phoenix Suns’ trade deadline did not go exactly as planned. For so long they had pursued Jimmy Butler, only for him to end up with the Golden State Warriors. The Suns’ core of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal remained in place. There was also very little movement with the rest of the roster.
Their only business in this season’s trade market was with the Charlotte Hornets. First acquiring Nick Richards in exchange for Josh Okogie in mid-January, before offloa...

Last Word On Sports • 06/02/2025

Phoenix Suns Have Limited Trade Options Ahead of Deadline

After a long saga, Jimmy Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors, not the Phoenix Suns. Many felt he would wind up at one of the two teams, but the Warriors won the sweepstakes. Many reports suggested he wanted Phoenix and Phoenix only and was only willing to sign an extension in the desert. However, those claims were rebuffed by the immediate agreement of a two-year, $121 million extension between the Dubs and Butler.
This failed pursuit of Butler leaves Phoenix in a tricky place with fe...

Last Word On Sports • 04/02/2025

Devin Booker Breaks Phoenix Suns Franchise Record

With 34 points in a loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, Devin Booker is now the Phoenix Suns’ franchise record scorer. He is at 15,678 points, surpassing Walter Davis’ 15,666, a record which stood for 37 years. Booker came into the game needing just 23 points, which he achieved five minutes into the third quarter. If he hadn’t already, he has now officially cemented his name in the franchise’s history and is amongst the greatest Suns players of all-time.
His number one jerse...

Last Word On Sports • 31/01/2025

Suns Star Snubbed As NBA All-Star Reserve

The NBA All-Star reserves were announced on Thursday night, and there was a notable absentee from the list: Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. Instead, Anthony Edwards and James Harden were selected by NBA coaches as the Western Conference guards.
This means that Kevin Durant is the Suns’ sole representative at this year’s event in San Francisco after he was chosen as a starter by the fans, players and media. He joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic as the West s...

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...