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Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
PHOENIX – There are 13 games left in the NBA regular season, and the Phoenix Suns are still on the outside looking into the Play-In. Phoenix is a game back of the Dallas Mavericks for that 10th spot despite Dallas being 2-8 in its last 10 games. The Suns still have plenty of time to take the 10th seed, but the season is already seen as an “embarrassment,” according to ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins. On NBA Today, the former NBA champion called out the lack of effort from the franchise players and how they’ve given up on head coach Mike Budenholzer.
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Jan 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer looks on alongside Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Perkins on the Phoenix Suns:
“They are an embarrassment, not only to the Phoenix organization, but to the rest of the NBA, because you have so many guys that are going to be Hall of Famers on their team, especially Kevin Durant and Devin Booker,” Perkins said. “What I’m seeing is a lack of passion. It’s no more rankings in the locker room, meaning there’s no more franchise guys. I’m playing the guys that are going to compete for me, and if that means Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal’s minutes get diminished then dammit, so be it at this point”
Mar 17, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with guard Devin Booker (1) after scoring against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
In its last 22 games, Phoenix is 7-15 and has allowed 120.6 points per game. Perkins is calling out the lack of defensive identity on the roster. The team has been decimated with injuries to key role players and Beal. Regardless, the Suns’ late-game execution and defense intensity are disappointing for a team with winning players like Booker and Durant.
Perkins believes that Budenholzer is likely gone by the end of the season, so there’s no reason to cater to the star players that have led to a mediocre season thus far. Phoenix does have the toughest remaining schedule by a large margin, with a .616 strength of schedule.
Mar 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) sits on the scorers table as head coach Mike Budenholzer looks on during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Mavericks have the 14th hardest remaining SOS, but the injuries to star players Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving make holding the 10th seed much more difficult. The Suns are coming off a dominant win over the Toronto Raptors and face a much-win game against a Chicago Bulls team that isn’t trying to compete for the postseason. After the game against Chicago, Phoenix doesn’t play a team under .500 for the rest of the season. Budenholzer has his work cut out for him with three players out against the Bulls. Read more about that below.
Suns down 3 vital players as quest for play-in intensifies vs Bulls
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
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