Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Phoenix Suns Fall To Kings, Beat Mavs, But Lose KD To Injury.
Nov 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images|Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Welcome to Locked On Phoenix Suns, where we break down the latest happenings with your favorite team. This weekend was a mixed bag for the Suns, with a win and a loss, but the spotlight is on Kevin Durant’s absence. Let’s dive into the details.
- Weekend Recap: The Suns had a one-and-one weekend, with a notable loss to the Kings in overtime. Despite a strong effort, the absence of Kevin Durant was felt, and the team struggled to maintain their momentum in the clutch moments.
- Kevin Durant’s Injury: Durant is expected to miss two to three weeks due to a calf strain. While the injury isn’t deemed severe, the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery. This absence will test the Suns’ depth and resilience.
- Game Analysis: The Suns’ loss to the Kings was characterized by a high-paced game that seemed to exhaust the team. Despite taking 57 three-point shots, they couldn’t secure the win. The Kings’ DeMar DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox proved to be formidable opponents, showcasing their clutch abilities.
- Devin Booker’s Performance: Booker had a mixed night, with some crucial misses in the clutch. While some might call it a slump, the consensus is that fatigue played a significant role. Confidence remains high that Booker will bounce back.
- Coaching and Strategy: There were criticisms of Coach Mike Budenholzer’s strategy, particularly in handling DeRozan. Some felt adjustments could have been made to disrupt the Kings’ rhythm, but the fast-paced nature of the game made it challenging.
- Bradley Beal’s Contribution: Beal’s performance was a highlight, showing his versatility and commitment. Despite some physical setbacks during the game, his efforts on both ends of the court were commendable. His role will be crucial in Durant’s absence.
- Upcoming Challenges: The Suns face a tough schedule ahead, with games against strong teams like the Thunder and Timberwolves. The focus will be on maintaining their position in the standings and integrating players like Royce O’Neal and Ryan Dunn more effectively.
- Fan Expectations: While some fans express concern over the team’s current form and injuries, the overall sentiment is one of cautious optimism. The Suns have shown resilience in the past, and the hope is they can weather this storm.
- Looking Ahead: The Suns aim to go at least .500 in the upcoming games without Durant. Key matchups against the Jazz and Magic are seen as opportunities to secure wins and build confidence.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Suns navigate this challenging period. Your support and engagement are invaluable as we continue to bring you the latest on your team.
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Recap The Phoenix Suns had their winning streak snapped in a thrilling overtime battle against the Sacramento Kings. Despite a strong effort, they fell short. (SB Nation)
Injury Kevin Durant is set to miss time with a calf injury, a significant blow to the Suns. (AP News)
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Is Kevin Durant the MVP Favorite Plus What the Ryan Dunn Injury Means For the Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant put the Phoenix Suns on his back in their 7-1 start, leaving them at the top of the Western Conference. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate whether KD is the favorite for NBA MVP before reacting to Ryan Dunn being doubtful on Friday with a left ankle sprain. Finally, a look at the rest of the West so far.
Phoenix Suns Are Clutch Killers Again As Kevin Durant Slays Heat & Jusuf Nurkic Bounces Back
The Phoenix Suns came back from a 15-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat in another clutch game led by Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the W, including a big third quarter run, KD’s brilliance late, Nurk’s bounceback, and an injury for Ryan Dunn.
Phoenix Suns Drop First Game Without Kevin Durant As Life Without KD Begins
The Phoenix Suns lost to the Sacramento Kings in OT on Sunday night in their first game without Kevin Durant. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia react to the home L, then look back at a clutch road win over the Dallas Mavericks before breaking down expectations without KD.
