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.
Will This Be the Win That Gets the Suns On Track?
Nov 12, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts to making.a three point shot against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns were partying like it was Thanksgiving again at Footprint Center on Thursday night.
In a promising win over the Atlanta Hawks, the team flashed its most complete 48 minutes of basketball in a very long while. The question on everyone’s mind after watching so many brutal losses lately is... will it stick?
No one win will convince Suns fans that this team is back on track. The hole they dug for themselves is too deep.
But against Atlanta, they looked like the team that started 8-1. The Suns were aggressive and diligent on defense, forcing key turnovers and making adjustments against Hawks star Trae Young. They flipped from allowing 72 points in the first half to just 43 in the second half.
We never expected offense to be an issue for this Suns roster, but Thursday night brought relief on that end as well. The Suns’ best shooters piled up threes, and the team shared the ball en route to 33 assists.
With a win at arm’s reach late, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker orchestrated a mean two-man game that took the Suns home. They frequently burned Atlanta’s switching defense and both players scored and assisted throughout the period. Grayson Allen was the beneficiary as an open outlet when the Hawks sent helpers, with 10 points in the fourth.
This is the recipe for the Suns: Overwhelming offense and enough defense to eek out wins. It is how they won before Thanksgiving and it will be how they win in the new year.
If they remember that, the Suns can use this game as a springboard to get out of this rut and back toward a playoff push.
Jan 4, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Intuit Dome. | Kiyoshi Mio/Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard left the Clippers behind in Denver on Wednesday, he travelled solo back to Los Angeles to meet his family as they evacuated their home in the Pacific Palisades. As of Thursday, the Palisades Fire — the biggest of the five separate fires burning in L.A. — has scorched through close to 20,000 acres of land, homes, buildings and infrastructure. Leonard’s family and their home are safe, and because natural disasters thankfully still trump the audience demand for athlete participation, Leonard’s also able to be away from the team and focus on what’s most important.
Not to draw too flimsy a point between disaster and basketball, but Leonard’s return to the Clippers had been top of mind for me prior to the fires, and his necessary absence now offers another lens to view his prolonged absence this season.
After he was pulled from Team USA’s Olympic play this summer, Leonard underwent a surgical procedure on his right knee. It’s same knee he had surgically repaired after an ACL tear in 2021 and a meniscus tear in April 2023, as well as the quad injury that eventually led to him parting ways with the Spurs over concerns of recovery mismanagement.
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 Join the excitement of Bright Side Night as the Phoenix Suns celebrate impressive performances from Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, fostering a thrilling atmosphere for fans. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Analysis The Phoenix Suns’ victory over the Hawks showcased stellar contributions from Durant, Booker, and Beal. This detailed analysis breaks down key stats and bench performance, highlighting strategic insights. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Analysis After a tough stretch, the Phoenix Suns secured a crucial win against the Hawks by rebounding effectively and executing well. This insightful recap dives into how the team turned things around. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor The Phoenix Suns are reportedly preparing a contract extension for Jimmy Butler, potentially impacting their roster and future plans. (Sports Illustrated)
Ranking With the trade deadline approaching, the NBA Power Rankings offer a critical evaluation of where each team stands, including the Phoenix Suns’ positioning. (Bleacher Report)
Rumor Speculation surrounds a potential three-team trade involving Bradley Beal and Jimmy Butler. This intriguing scenario could significantly reshape the Suns’ roster. (Bleacher Report)
Must Read Steve Kerr and JJ Redick share the impact of the Los Angeles fires on their families’ lives. (ESPN)
Biz Aging NBA stars like Jimmy Butler may be in for a rude awakening. (Forbes)
Friday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Slate: Injury Updates and Streaming Options
Jan 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) drives against Washington Wizards forward Richaun Holmes (22) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The NBA action continues with seven games on tap for Friday, and there’s no shortage of intriguing storylines to follow. Let’s dive into the key matchups and player situations that fantasy managers need to keep an eye on.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Pelicans-Sixers matchup is plagued by absences on both sides. For New Orleans, Herb Jones (shoulder), Brandon Ingram, and Trey Murphy (ankle) are all sidelined. However, Zion Williamson is set to return after sitting out the previous game. The Sixers will continue to be without Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, and KJ Martin.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic
The Magic are on a back-to-back, while the Bucks are in a favorable schedule spot. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton are all listed as probable for Milwaukee. Orlando will be without Gary Harris, and Jalen Suggs is expected to remain sidelined. Paolo Banchero is reportedly set to return for this game.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Phoenix Suns Eek Out Victory Over Washington As Ryan Dunn Posts Career Night
The Phoenix Suns escaped Washington with a win over the Wizards despite an ugly fourth quarter from Devin Booker and Co. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia recap the 130-123 win, including how the fourth quarter slipped away, continued questions around Tyus Jones, the solid flow between Booker and Kevin Durant, and Ryan Dunn’s career night.
Phoenix Suns Acquire Nick Richards: How Much Of a Boost Will He Bring?
The Phoenix Suns upgraded their center rotation on Wednesday by trading for Nick Richards, who is expected to start right away. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the deal, including the price of the deal sending Josh Okogie out, how much better Richards makes the Suns, and what comes next ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Phoenix Suns Lose Tight Game In Atlanta Despite Kevin Durant & Devin Booker Combining For 66
The Phoenix Suns dropped a tight game in Atlanta despite Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combining for 66 points on the road. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the loss, including how Bradley Beal came up short late, how familiar issues plagued the Suns again, and the night of growing pains for the Suns’ rookies.
