The Phoenix Suns returned from the All-Star break to a sobering defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, which served to expose their biggest weakness as they look to push for the playoffs.
This group just cannot get their entire roster healthy at the same time and the right times to capitalize on the fantastic position head coach Jordan Ott has put them in.
Repeated injuries could cost Suns spot in playoffs
The Spurs loss was just the latest example, with two of their starters failing to get through the game without being forced off due to injury.
Most worrying of all was Devin Booker having to exit after less than 10 minutes played with hip soreness, and although that is unlikely to be a long-term issue, that's exactly the point.
Just when it looks like this group might find some consistency, a small setback here and a niggle there stop us from seeing what the Suns can look like at their best.
Devin Booker is out for the Suns tomorrow due to a right hip strain.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) February 21, 2026
Grayson Allen (right ankle sprain) is questionable.
Then there is Grayson Allen, who has been crucial to coach Ott lineups this season but who also had to exit with what could be a nasty ankle sprain.
He struggled for an extended run of games last season due to injury and also Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones pushing him to the bench, but the Suns need him now and he's not always available.
It is ironic that Jalen Green has been the biggest absence throughout the campaign, the Spurs loss was only his eighth appearance, although he looks like he is fully fit and ready for a run of games.
Only he's most likely not going to have Booker or Allen for a little bit of time at least as Phoenix enters a crucial stretch to try and avoid the play-in and make the postseason outright.
There have been others who have gone down at the wrong time, including Isaiah Livers who is now back but formed part of a struggling role player unit versus the Spurs.
This group is way ahead of schedule given the expectations set out for them at the beginning of the season, but to see their campaign cut short because of injuries would be cruel.
The Valley is crying out for a fun and frisky team to push a more fancied opponent to six or seven games in the first round, before bowing out with their heads held high.
Only these injuries could derail that ending before it even gets a chance to happen, and there does not appear to be a solution to this problem either.