Like all major sporting teams, the Phoenix Suns must drag themselves through a few meaningless contests just before starting their actual season this year. With training camp having just opened up, the NBA’s Preseason sits only a few days away, to which the Suns need to participate in by playing four contests.
Although the preseason aims to help get players back into the swing of things, it feels somewhat wasteful for a team like the Suns, returning with almost the exact same team from last year. A few new faces indeed made their way to Phoenix this offseason, but for the most, this remains a robust group well acquainted with each other.
However, every team still needs to go through this “tune up” process.
Phoenix Suns Preseason Schedule
- Monday, October 4 @ Sacramento Kings, 7:00 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, October 6 vs Los Angeles Lakers, 7:00 p.m. PT
- Sunday, October 10 @ Los Angeles Lakers, 7:00 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, October 13. vs Portland Trail Blazers, 7:00 p.m. pT
Kicking things off against Sacramento, the Suns find themselves entering a low stakes bout, even by preseason standards. However, contests against the Lakers and Trail Blazers carry at least some weight.
Although both teams likely plan to rest their starters, watching Phoenix’s reserves go up against LA’s and Portland’s feels somewhat intriguing. Both those teams made the postseason last year, and expect to again this year—embodying noted challengers to Phoenix’s Western Conference title. This especially applies to the Lakers, who own the the best to dethrone the Suns according to WynnBET.
But still, the preseason does its best deed by operating as a “you’re almost there” sign for the regular season. The Suns start theirs one week from their final preseason contest, going up against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, October 20th at 7:00 p.m PT.
Last year, the Suns embarrassingly swept the Nuggets and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic during the Western Conference Semifinals, consequently ending their playoff run and season. The opener between these two teams poises to go down as an incredibly entertaining clash, as the Nuggets seek their revenge, while the Suns aim to stay dominant.