Are the Suns finally rising despite recent roster uncertainty? 

While Durant can always be relied on when on the court, Booker has been inconsistent and was having one of the worst seasons of his career before the calendar turned to 2025. 

Before Wednesday, Booker was averaging 25.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, all down from what he posted last season. 

To fully emphasize Booker's season struggles, the last time he carried a scoring average below 26 points per game was the 2020-21 season. He's even below his career field goal percentage (46.3%) at 44.1%, too.  

However, Booker's recent hot streak has led to the Suns winning six out of their last eight games. Booker getting back to form has allowed the Suns to stay in the race despite the distraction of Bradley Beal's future. Beal, whose name has been continuously mentioned in possible trades, missed Phoenix's most recent game with an illness. 

Fortunately for Phoenix, it has a favorable schedule on the horizon. Next up is another matchup with the Washington Wizards, a team it handled, 130-123, on Jan. 16. 

Then, Phoenix will eventually close the month by playing the Warriors before opening February with back-to back games against the Trail Blazers. 

Just a hair above Golden State for the No. 10 seed, it won't be easy for the Suns to climb out of the hole they dug for themselves. But if any team can race up the standings in the final months, it's a team fueled by stars like Durant and Booker and led by a championship head coach in Mike Budenholzer.