There is little doubt that this December has not been one to remember for the Phoenix Suns, as the team is suffering and losing for several reasons.
The Phoenix Suns started the season well and were carried by outstanding individual contributions in November. However, Deandre Ayton’s player of the week award and Devin Booker’s player of the month award both seem like they occurred last year, as the Suns are struggling to play consistent basketball, with four significant problems hurting the team on a nightly basis.
The injuries are mounting for the Phoenix Suns
When the season started, we knew there would be at least a few games lost to injury. However, things are starting to get a tad ridiculous for Phoenix. First, Ayton was out a week, then Cameron Johnson suffered a long-term knee injury, and then Christ Paul was out almost a month. Devin Booker is nursing an ailment, and that is just what has happened with the starters.
The Phoenix reserves have not been immune to injury either, with both backup point guards – Cameron Payne and Duane Washington Jr. missing several games. Dario Saric has had limited availability as he recovers from a significant injury, and wings Josh Okogie and Torrey Craig have missed games with injuries.
Injuries happen; it is part of sports; however, all of these injuries, while Jae Crowder is still not with the team, have increased the workload on everyone else and left the team short. Fortunately, Cam Johnson is starting to exercise again and should be back in the new year, and Booker will hopefully only miss a few more games. If healthy, the Suns can compete; however, they haven’t been and, as a result, have struggled in several areas as a team.