The Phoenix Suns will look to continue their push for the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, with more than just a potential W riding on the game.
Should the Suns lose this one, and they may be without Royce O'Neale for the first time all season, it will be the first time all campaign they've dropped four on the bounce.
Losing streak no cause for concern in Phoenix
Head coach Jordan Ott is obviously going to want to avoid this outcome, particularly given the Suns are still within touching distance of somehow being the third seed.
But even if they do fall to San Antonio, this group has struggled to get healthy and is relying on less experienced players more than ever to see them through.
Many believed coach Ott was going to lean into the youth movement as the Suns piled up losses this season, as they built towards a brighter future.
Joe Mazzulla on the Phoenix Suns:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 17, 2026
"I think they are one of the toughest teams in the league."
Instead they shocked everybody with how competitive they have been, already surpassing their win total from a season ago when Kevin Durant was in town.
Veterans such as O'Neale, Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks have been a massive part of the reason why, yet all three are unlikely to feature against the Spurs.
The Suns continue to play with house money as well, given the fanbase is firmly back onside and have enjoyed watching a team try and win every night.
They're going to make the play-in at worst, when many saw that as a step beyond them heading into the season.
Despite all of this, it is hard not to be disappointed by the timing of the losing run that the franchise has found itself on.
The Western Conference is merciless, and although injuries are the reason why the Suns are struggling right now, it doesn't make losing any more fun.
Even more frustrating is the fact that when healthy there are few teams who compete as hard as they do and make life as difficult each night than the Suns.
We've also seen them have success in keeping Victor Wembanyama quiet, but that was achieved with Allen and O'Neale on the court.
With only 13 games remaining (and the 10 hardest schedule), the timing of this slump is far from ideal, while making the playoffs also means the Suns' draft pick that they do not own would fall outside the lottery.
Then again, this coaching staff and the players have never made excuses, and they are not about to start now.