Suns Return to Action With Two Pivotal Games This Weekend
Following the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns have two major tests coming up in the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night and Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
While it may just be two regular season games, they both have tremendous significance. Kevin Durant is expected to make his debut against the Thunder on Friday night in front of a Suns fan base that has been anxiously awaiting his presence for the past two weeks since they acquired the superstar forward.
It will be a huge momentum boost for Phoenix if they are able to start out on the right foot with Durant. The Suns are now widely considered the team to beat in the Western Conference, so showing immediately what they are capable of could send a message to the rest of the NBA.
Phoenix is currently the fifth seed in the West with a record of 32-28. Despite being in the playoffs right now, the Suns are not in a comfortable position as they only have one more win than the eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
Before the All-Star break, Phoenix won five out of their last seven games. Deandre Ayton was the main catalyst during that seven game stretch averaging 24.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.
With another week of rest, Devin Booker should be fully recovered from his groin injury that forced him to sit out for 21 games. Booker seemed to be returning to his normal form scoring 32 points against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 14. He will now surely be back to playing over 30 minutes a game on a consistent level.
At first glance the Thunder may not seem like a great team based on their 28-29 record, but they are indeed a scary squad to go up against. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having a ridiculous season averaging 30.8 points, 4.7 rebound and 5.7 assists leading the Thunder to the 13th best offensive rating in the NBA at 114.1 points.
The Suns traded Dario Saric to Oklahoma City on Feb. 9, so he will have a lot to prove against his former team in a new and improved role. In his first game with the Thunder, Saric scored a respectable 12 points in 14 minutes and he should see even more time on the court coming his way against Phoenix.
On Sunday against the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability is in jeopardy. He suffered a sprained ligament in his right wrist and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he will return to the court once the pain subsides.
In Antetokounmpo’s absence, Jrue Holiday is more than capable of taking on the responsibilities of the first option. Holiday is coming off an All-Star appearance and has been clearly the second option on the Bucks averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebound and 7.1 assists.
Khris Middleton will also have to boost his play. It's been an extremely disappointing year for Middleton to say the least. His 13.6 points per game is his worst scoring year since the 2014-15 season.
This is a big weekend for the Suns. Will they show the true fire power they now possess or will this weekend be a feeling out process for Durant and the rest of the team?
Phoenix hosts OKC at 8:00 pm on Friday, which will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
On Sunday, the Suns travel to Milwaukee for an 11 AM contest that will be featured on ABC.
