The Phoenix Suns needed to make an upgrade at the trade deadline, but their top target, Jimmy Butler, went to the Warriors. The closest splash the Suns came to making was trading Kevin Durant to Golden State, but KD didn't want to be moved in the middle of the season.
Phoenix is 1-5 since the All-Star break, with its last win on Feb. 22 against Chicago. Since then, the Suns have dropped games against the Raptors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Timberwolves. They're in danger of missing the Play-In Tournament altogether, which would be the nail in the coffin for Durant's time in Arizona.
Suns fans hoped that the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic before the deadline would cause Dallas to tumble down the standings, especially after Anthony Davis' unfortunate injury. The Mavericks are 6-7 since the seismic trade, but they're still three and a half games ahead of the Suns in the standings.
It has taken Dallas' season to implode for Phoenix to have a shot at the Play-In. As if Nico Harrison's incompetence hasn't been enough torture for Mavs fans, the injuries haven't stopped. The most brutal news came on Tuesday when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in Dallas' loss to Sacramento on Monday.
Breaking: Dallas Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving has suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VEgTU6iF6S
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 4, 2025
Injuries could be what pushes the Suns into the Play-In Tournament
Let's look at the Mavericks' injured players: Irving, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Caleb Martin, Jaden Hardy, and P.J. Washington. Shortly after the Irving news broke, Chris Haynes reported that Dallas will be without Hardy "for a period of time" after he sprained his ankle on Monday.
The injury bug is haunting the Mavericks. Dallas' other star, Davis, is expected to return this season, but his presence might not be enough for the Mavs to secure a Play-In berth if he can stay healthy.
The door is now wide open for the Suns to surpass Dallas in the standings. Phoenix must help itself too by stringing together some wins, but the Suns have the toughest remaining schedule out of any other team in the league.
It says a lot that Phoenix's shot at extending its season by at least one game could depend on Dallas' injuries. Securing a Play-In berth wouldn't necessarily be a cause for celebration, either. It certainly isn't where Suns fans thought their team would be with a healthy Durant and Devin Booker.