There’s now less than two months before the beginning of the Phoenix Suns 2022-23 campaign, with the NBA’s schedule release breathing new life into the proximity of the season ahead.
While there’s plenty of water to go under the bridge, including possible blockbuster trades and overall player movement, predicting the Suns win-loss record is an intriguing exercise.
Valley of the Suns will provide month-by-month win-loss predictions on the Phoenix Suns’ season, starting with a crucial early period to the end of November.
Given the regular season begins in late October, we’re joining it with the month of November in a period that spans over a quarter of Suns games. There’s 21 games in total, with Phoenix set to host 13 of them at Footprint Center. Without further adieu, here is the win-loss projection for each game across the early phase, with the cumulative record identified in brackets.
Wednesday October 19 v Dallas Mavericks – Win (1-0)
Friday October 21 @ Portland Trail Blazers – Win (2-0)
Sunday October 23 @ Los Angeles Clippers – Loss (2-1)
Tuesday October 25 v Golden State Warriors – Loss (2-2)
Friday October 28 v New Orleans Pelicans – Win (3-2)
Sunday October 30 v Houston Rockets – Win (4-2)
Tuesday November 1 v Minnesota Timberwolves – Win (5-2)
Friday November 4 v Portland Trail Blazers – Win (6-2)
Saturday November 5 v Portland Trail Blazers – Win (7-2)
Monday November 7 @ Philadelphia 76ers – Loss (7-3)
Wednesday November 9 @ Minnesota Timberwolves – Loss (7-4)
Friday November 11 @ Orlando Magic – Win (8-4)
Monday November 14 @ Miami Heat – Loss (8-5)
Wednesday November 16 v Golden State Warriors – Win (9-5)
Friday November 18 @ Utah Jazz – Win (10-5)
Sunday November 20 v New York Knicks – Win (11-5)
Tuesday November 22 v Los Angeles Lakers – Win (12-5)
Friday November 25 v Detroit Pistons – Win (13-5)
Saturday November 26 v Utah Jazz – Win (14-5)
Monday November 28 @ Sacramento Kings – Loss (14-6)
Wednesday November 30 v Chicago Bulls – Win (15-6)
Notable Takeaways
- The Suns will host the Golden State Warriors twice in the opening 14 games, with the prediction that the teams will split the games in Phoenix as they did last season.
- The Suns face the Portland Trail Blazers three times in the opening nine games, with the expectation that Phoenix will sweep the battle 3-0 despite the return of Damian Lillard.
- The Suns have a difficult opening to the season before things open up towards the end of November. They’re predicted to be 8-5 after 13 games, but will go 7-1 in the remainder of the month.
- That one loss would be a surprise defeat to the Sacramento Kings, however they are a team that should improve and could cause some havoc in the West. More noteworthy is the fact it’s in Sacramento and is also the third game in four days for the Suns.
Overall, the Suns would be comfortable with a 15-6 record after 21 games. That’s on pace for a 55-60 win season, which, although not at the heights of last season, would likely be enough to nab a top two seeding in the Western Conference.