Season opener is the biggest Phoenix Suns game in years

The Phoenix Suns were the worst team in the NBA last year, but after a busy summer, they open the season with their biggest game in years.

The NBA is a lot like a reality television show with all the drama and underlying stories that mean just as much to many fans as winning does. The league knows this, and they foster that kind of atmosphere, constantly pitting rivals against each other on the biggest stages.

And for the first time in a long time, the Suns are right back in it. On the second night of the season, televised nationally on ESPN, the Suns will take on the Dallas Mavericks, and it has plenty of underlying drama. It will be the biggest game the Suns have played in years.

The major story is two young teams, the future of the Western Conference, going head to head. Neither team is expected to make the playoffs, but they’re both on their way towards major improvement. But it goes way, way deeper than that.

The biggest thing most fans will be watching for is the matchup of Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic. They’re both making their NBA debuts, and they were the two major players considered with the first overall pick, eventually going one and three respectively. Whoever ends up being the better player long term will give their team bragging rights for a long time, but even short term bragging rights are worth something.

And there are other matchups to watch as well. Josh Jackson and Dennis Smith Jr. both went top ten in last year’s draft. DeAndre Jordan will be a tough test in Deandre Ayton’s first game. Devin Booker is just getting back from a hand injury.

Due to the Jordan signing, the Mavericks are projected to win far more games than the Suns. But the Suns have arguably a more talented roster, and they’ll be eager to prove they’re not the laughingstock of the West anymore.

With a new coach, an new general manager, and way more wings than guards, the Phoenix Suns will have to figure out their rotation. Will Booker play point guard? Will Josh Jackson start? Who will play the most between Jackson, Warren, and Bridges? All these things will be clearer on Wednesday night. It will be the biggest game the team has played in years.