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.
Kevin Durant’s Return Boosts Phoenix Suns’ NBA Cup Win
Nov 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Welcome to Locked On Phoenix Suns, where we break down the Suns’ triumphant 127-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. This win marked the return of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and it was a game that showcased the Suns’ potential when fully healthy.
- Historic Win: The Suns made history by defeating the Lakers in an NBA Cup game for the first time. This victory felt like a championship moment, with the Suns dominating from start to finish.
- Third Quarter Surge: A pivotal moment was the Suns’ 26-8 run to close out the third quarter, led by Devin Booker. His nine straight points were crucial in establishing the Suns’ dominance.
- Coaching Impact: Credit goes to Mike Budenholzer for his effective halftime adjustments. His strategies have consistently helped the Suns outscore opponents in the second half, a promising sign for future playoff scenarios.
- Bradley Beal’s Defense: A standout moment was Beal’s chase-down block on LeBron James, signaling his defensive commitment. This play was symbolic of the Suns’ renewed energy and defensive prowess.
- Team Chemistry: The return of Durant and Beal brought a noticeable ease to the Suns’ gameplay. Their presence allowed the team to play with more fluidity and confidence, reminiscent of their peak performance periods.
- Yusuf Nurkic’s Contribution: Nurkic’s performance, especially his scoring spree in the third quarter, was instrumental. His ability to adapt and contribute in crucial moments highlights his value to the team.
- Balanced Offense: The Suns’ offensive balance was evident, with all three of their stars scoring over 20 points and shooting above 50% from the field. This balance is key to their success and was a major factor in the blowout win.
- Fast Break Dominance: The Suns outscored the Lakers 19-5 in fast break points, a critical aspect of their victory. This ability to convert defense into offense is essential for maintaining their competitive edge.
- Bench Performance: Oso Ighodaro’s impressive play off the bench, particularly his defense against Anthony Davis, was a highlight. His development is a positive sign for the Suns’ depth.
- Free Throw Efficiency: The Suns’ improved free throw shooting, going 7 for 8, was a small but significant factor in their overall performance.
- Looking Ahead: This game was a reminder of the Suns’ potential when fully healthy. With their stars back, they are poised to be a top contender in the league.
This victory was not just a win but a statement of the Suns’ capabilities. As they continue the season, maintaining health and building on this performance will be crucial for their championship aspirations. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis on Locked On Phoenix Suns.
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
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
Fans After a short slump, the Phoenix Suns are back in form, dominating the Lakers. Fans rejoice as Durant, Booker, and Beal shine. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Replay The Phoenix Suns decisively defeated the Lakers 127-100 in the NBA Cup. Game highlights showcase Booker, Durant, and Beal’s stellar performance. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Phoenix Suns Finally Get Their Blowout Win As Big 3 All Go Off Against Lakers
The Phoenix Suns got back on track with a blowout win over the Lakers as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal all went off for 20 plus. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia react to the best Suns win of the season, including the big third quarter run to take charge, Beal punctuating his return with a block on LeBron James, and much more.
Grading the Phoenix Suns Newcomers: Coach Bud, Tyus Jones & Ryan Dunn
The Phoenix Suns have gotten a huge boost from newcomers Mike Budenholzer, Tyus Jones and Ryan Dunn so far this season. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down each player and give their grades for each 15+ games into the season. Then, which newcomer will have the best rest of the season?
Can Kevin Durant & Bradley Return Fuel Big Week For Phoenix Suns?
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are due back from calf strains as the Phoenix Suns finish out a huge 6-game homestand. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the ripple effects of the returns, react to the new clarity around KD-Houston reports from the summer, and preview the week of games in Phoenix.
