DALLAS — The Phoenix Suns are a little more than halfway through the season, and manager Frank Vogel is finally getting used to a new roster with most of his players healthy.
While there could be some movement as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches, he seems to like it a lot.
“I love our group,” Vogel said Monday. “I'm focused on the players we have. I think we can win big with this group. I'll leave that to (Suns general manager) James Jones.”
The Suns (25-18) have won their last six games and moved from ninth to fifth in the West just two weeks ago after a 115-113 come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bulls in the second home game on Monday. surfaced.
“I think we're getting close,” Vogel said Sunday. “We're really growing offensively in terms of how we want to play and what our identity is going to be. I like that our defensive approach has improved. We have to take it to the next level: a multi-effort team.”
The Suns began a seven-game road trip of the season on Wednesday against Dallas (24-19), winning 128-114 in Phoenix on Christmas Day as Luka Doncic scored 50 points to add to his 15 points. We will support you.
Kyrie Irving (right thumb sprain), Seth Curry (left ankle sprain), Dante Exum (right plantar sprain) and Doncic (lower back strain) are listed as questionable for the nationally televised showdown on ABC. listed.
“I love where we are right now,” Suns superstar Kevin Durant said after Monday's win. “It felt like a week or so ago we were just over .500 for one or two games. We're heading in the right direction.”
For the Suns, Eric Gordon (right wrist soreness), who missed Monday's game, is listed as questionable, while Bol Bol (right ankle sprain) will miss his sixth straight game.
Damion Lee (right knee) remains sidelined as he hasn't played all season.
The Suns lost 138-114 to the Clippers in Los Angeles, but now have 19 wins and 18 losses.
They haven't lost since.
“A team like them, they have a lot of firepower offensively, and they're going to come in every game,” Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan said Monday. “I was watching their game against Sacramento a few nights ago. They were down 22 points with five minutes left, but they came back and won. It never comes off.”
The Suns recorded two 20-point come-from-behind victories in less than a week.
They rallied from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to overwhelm the Kings 119-117, and defeated Chicago, who trailed by 23 points in the third quarter.
Durant made the game-winning shot off a 7-foot pass from Jusuf Nurkic with 1.6 seconds left in the game against the Bulls.
“Nuruk showed great flash and delivered the pass,” Suns guard Grayson Allen said. “Kev, great cut. The ball hit his hand and I was standing over there thinking, 'This shot is going in.' I don't know how he's going to shoot or how he's going to lift up, but he's definitely going to go in. ”
Bulls guard Alex Caruso tried to block the shot from behind, but Durant ultimately double-clutched the shot.
“It's special,” Suns star guard Devin Booker said. “I don't know if anyone has ever tried a double-clutch shot, but it's not easy. You airball it short, or you throw it hard off the glass. Being able to adjust in the air and still maintain touch is great. , another proof of how great he is.”
Durant scored 17 of his season-high 43 points on 3-of-5 shooting and 7-of-9 shooting in the fourth quarter.
“It was a hell of a performance,” Vogel said. “That was one of the best performances I've been a part of.”
Phoenix's upward trend is consistent with the Big Three of Durant, Booker and Beal being healthy for quite some time. The Suns are 8-4 with all three players, with Booker, Durant and Beal scoring 65.7% during their six-game winning streak.
127-109 win over the Lakers: 86 points for the Big 3
127-116 win over Blazers: 78 points for Big 3
vs. Kings 119-117 win: Big 3 points 56
123-109 win over Pelicans: 91 points for Big 3
117-110 win vs. Pacers: 91 points for Big 3
115-113 win over Bulls: 77 points from Big 3
“Phoenix is playing. They're at their best right now,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday. “They have three superstars playing at a high level.”
Booker, Durant and Beal have played in Phoenix's past eight games.
Suns backup big man Drew Eubanks said, “We're just past the halfway mark and we don't really know yet. That's what I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. It's great. They stepped up on both fronts.” he said. Coming to the end of the courtroom, they really set an example. ”
The Suns have also had success in the coaching challenge area under Vogel.
According to NBA data collected through Jan. 14, Phoenix is 18-7. The Suns are 5-1 in their last four games against the Challenge and 4-0 in their last two games.
“It was a game where the coaching staff was like, 'No, don't try,' but Frank still tried, and we ended up winning,” Durant said as Phoenix trailed 92-88. – Talked about Vogel's challenge for a foul against Okogie. 9:02 left in the game.
“It was unbelievable how he stuck with it and tried to get us into a good position. He gave us a great challenge all season.”
In the last game Vogel tried and won on Monday, Phoenix trailed 109-108 with 2:08 left and a foul was called on Allen first, robbing DeRozan of a basket and free throw attempt. .
“It's instinctive,” Vogel said. Many of these games are close, can go either way, and frankly, I often find myself asking myself if I lose, wouldn't I want to take a timeout anyway? Because our players look a little stuffy. ”
Vogel later credited Suns head video coordinator Justin Maxey and assistant coach John Pastorek for helping him make a quick decision on whether or not to try.
“They work together to study replays and give them thumbs up and thumbs down,” Vogel said. “Most of the time they see it, so I just agree with what they say. Sometimes I see it on the (Arena Video) bulletin board and sometimes I see it in person. . It’s a combination of all those elements.”
Have an opinion on the current state of the Suns? Contact Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or 480-787-1240. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter). @Duane Rankin.
Support local journalism.Start your online subscription.
