Phoenix Suns' Spot in NBA Power Rankings Unfortunately Isn't Surprising

The Phoenix Suns have begun the NBA regular season with a 1-2 record, sparking early concerns about their ability to compete effectively in the league. These worries are compounded by their low placement in NBA.com's power rankings, where only the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Brooklyn Nets rank below them. The team's full potential remains unclear until Jalen Green returns from injury, but current performances highlight significant challenges.

In their recent games, the Suns secured a victory in their season opener, marking their fourth consecutive year with an opening win and becoming the only team to overcome a 20-point deficit last week. However, they subsequently suffered heavy losses on the road to the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets, losing by a total of 49 points. Analyst John Schuhmann pointed out that in these two defeats, the Suns were outscored by 46 points in the restricted area (90-44) and by 31 points at the free throw line (61-30).

Devin Booker has been a standout performer, ranking second in the league with 12 assists on 3-pointers and attempting 31 free throws alongside 45 field goals, more than double his rate from the previous season. In contrast, the rest of the roster has struggled, averaging only 15 free throw attempts per 100 shots from the field. The team has heavily relied on 3-pointers, taking over half of their shots from beyond the arc in both losses, including a franchise-second-highest rate of 57% in the game against Denver.

Overall team statistics reveal further issues, with the Suns averaging 111 points per game, placing them in the bottom five of the NBA, and holding the league's worst point differential at -15. Following a 133-point allowance in the loss to Denver, coach Jordan Ott stressed the urgent need for defensive improvements, acknowledging that the team must find ways to guard and attack more effectively, regardless of the strong offenses they have faced early in the season.

Looking ahead, the Suns' schedule for the upcoming week includes a road game against the Utah Jazz tonight, followed by three home matches against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the Utah Jazz again on Friday, and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. This stretch will test whether the team can show progress under Ott's system and address their early-season struggles.