Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Suns are too good to be struggling with the basics

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Dec 11, 2024 2:23 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns sit 10th in the Western Conference. Mike Budenholzer's team is on a three-game losing streak and has struggled to build momentum over the first 23 games.

Part of the Suns' issues are due to Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant missing stretches. However, given the top-end talent on the roster, the Suns can't expect much leeway from the wider NBA fan base.

Speaking to the media during a post-practice news conference on Tuesday, Tyus Jones admitted the Suns need to do a better job of staying locked in for the full 48 minutes of a game. Too often, the Suns have lost focus for a stretch and suddenly trailed late in a game.

"We're not playing a complete 48 minutes," Jones said. "I think we're playing well enough to win, but we're not playing a full 48. We have stretches throughout the game where we get careless. Too many turnovers and not getting the stops that we need. If we can kind of eliminate those stretches, then it'll help the other parts of the game. We're playing well, we're generating good shots, we're connected on defense. Now, it's just about putting together longer stretches of good basketball."

Tyus Jones on where the Suns have fallen short without Kevin Durant: "I think we're playing good enough to win, but we're not playing a full 48 [minutes]. We have stretches throughout the game where we kind of get careless, too many turnovers, not getting the stops that we need" pic.twitter.com/v1rTtKL0jX
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) December 10, 2024

Every team struggles at some point, regardless of the talent on its roster. However, the Suns are supposed to be extra motivated this season. Their first-round exit from the 2024 playoffs was meant to leave a bad taste in the team's mouth. Yet, there's no killer instinct during close games. Instead, there's an air of entitlement to how the team approaches things on a nightly basis.

Phoenix's roster is too talented to be in a play-in spot. The Suns don't need to challenge for the first seed, but a top-five position in the Western Conference should be the goal. Budenholzer has a reputation for being a regular-season coach, so if the Suns are struggling now, it could get ugly during the playoffs.

Fortunately for the Suns, we've still got three-quarters of the season to go. They have plenty of time to get healthy and bounce back. However, they need to do it soon. Part of being an elite team is building championship habits. That only happens when everyone is on the court and figuring things out as a unit.

Right now, the Suns are underwhelming for a second straight season. That likely doesn't sit right inside the locker room. Whether or not they can bounce back will be an interesting storyline to follow over the coming months.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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