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.
League at Large
The Orlando Magic are giving a one-fingered salute to the universe
Dec 26, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) dunks during the second half against the Miami Heat at Kia Center. | Mike Watters/Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic will never stop.
Injuries have piled up like rush hour traffic near the Disney parks. Orlando’s three best offensive players — Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Mo Wagner — are all out, the first two with rare torn oblique injuries and the latter for the season with a torn ACL. They should be dead and buried, with the funeral service concluded long ago.
Instead, the Magic keep raging, sticking out their middle fingers to the basketball gods who seem determined to throw every obstacle imaginable in their path. They’re 3-3 in the six games since the elder Wagner’s injury (including the win in which he went down in the first quarter), pairing a defense that gets more ferocious after each blow with an offense that has cobbled together just enough points to keep things interesting.
Jalen Suggs has become the de facto number-one option, a role he is ill-suited for. Suggs is shooting 41% from the field and 31% from deep, but you’d never know fromthe 37% usage (a monstrous figure) he’s posted in the last six games. The Magic’s offense looks best when someone else can help him out. Rookie Tristan da Silva has been the unlikely second banana many nights — he’s had five games in his last eight of at least 15 points after only notching one such performance in his first 23. Consistency, unfortunately, is hard to find; da Silva also had two games in his last three where he scored exactly zero points.
But there are still plenty of reasons for concern.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Preview January’s packed schedule will test the Suns with several challenging matchups. Fans can expect high-intensity games, crucial for playoff positioning. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Fans Explore the 2025 Suns resolutions and fan reactions, focusing on trades, Durant, Booker, and NBA title aspirations. Join the community conversation. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Legacy Kevin Durant takes ownership of the Suns’ recent struggles, reflecting his commitment to the team’s success. Read more about his dedication and leadership. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction A comprehensive 2025 NBA mock draft offers pro comparisons and full two-round predictions, giving insight into potential future Suns stars. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Basketball Implications of Jaden Ivey’s Injury
Jan 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) grabs his leg as he falls to the court after being injured against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel/Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The start of 2025 in the NBA has been nothing short of chaotic, with injuries taking centre stage. Jaden Ivey’s injury is particularly concerning, as it appears to be quite serious. The Detroit Pistons guard was having a strong game with 22 points and five three-pointers before the unfortunate incident. The severity of the injury suggests that Ivey might be sidelined for the remainder of the season, which is a significant blow to the Pistons and fantasy managers alike.
Fantasy Implications of Ivey’s Injury
With Ivey potentially out for the season, the Pistons will need to adjust their lineup. Ausar Thompson is likely to see an increase in minutes and responsibilities. Thompson’s ability to contribute across various categories makes him a valuable pickup in fantasy leagues. While his shooting may be inconsistent, his defensive stats and hustle play could provide a much-needed boost to fantasy rosters.
Malik Beasley might also see an uptick in playing time, although his recent performances have been less than stellar. Beasley is primarily a points and threes contributor, and his role could expand in Ivey’s absence. For those in deeper leagues, Marcus Sasser could become a viable option, especially if Cade Cunningham faces any setbacks.
Click the button below to see who’s rising and falling on the Bulls and Wizards.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
The Phoenix Suns Get Devin Booker Back, Lose Bradley Beal & Fall To The Memphis Grizzlies At Home
The Phoenix Suns get their star shooting guard Devin Booker back into the starting lineup but lose Bradley Beal to a hip contusion. The efforts of Ryan Dunn, josh Okogie & Kevin Durant were not enough to beat the Ja Morantless Memphis Grizzlies. Benjamin Garcia runs the show solo tonight to deal with the grief that is another Phoenix Suns loss.
Can Tyus Jones & Kevin Durant Coexist While Maximizing the Phoenix Suns Offense?
The Phoenix Suns closed Friday night’s loss to Dallas without Tyus Jones, while on Saturday he was on the court as Kevin Durant turnovers cost the Suns late. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down how Jones and Durant are operating in the Suns offense right now and why it’s not working. Then, a look at the Sacramento Kings and a situation that mirrors what the Suns have with Bradley Beal.
Where Did Phoenix Suns Offense Go? Plus Jusuf Nurkic Suspended, Lakers Steal Dorian Finney-Smith
Another busy and brutal weekend for the Phoenix Suns with back to back losses struggling to crack 100 points, a suspension for Jusuf Nurkic, and more. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the Suns’ strange offensive woes, Nurk’s breaking point, and the Lakers stealing Dorian Finney-Smith from under the Suns’ noses.
