PHOENIX — As the Phoenix Suns built their longest win streak since November, a four-game run that ended Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics, a thought here began to gain momentum, not much different from a tumbleweed rolling across the desert.
It involved Bradley Beal’s eventual return from a hamstring injury, and how maybe the Suns shouldn’t mess with a good thing. In other words, keep Beal on the bench.
Throughout a frustrating season, Beal has become an easy target, the organizational poster child for failed expectations. Some of it is his $50 million salary. Some of it is a no-trade clause Beal has refused to waive and, at times, flaunted. And some of it is a failure to remain healthy.
Regardless, one thing became clear in Boston’s 132-102 rout of Phoenix at PHX Arena. The Suns need Beal. They need all the help they can get.
The Celtics overwhelmed the Suns. Playing without star Jayson Tatum, sidelined with a left ankle sprain, they lit up Phoenix from deep, hitting seven 3-pointers in the game’s first four-plus minutes, finishing with 22. The Suns overcame the initial burst but struggled to keep pace the rest of the way. They remained in 10th place in the West, holding onto the conference’s final Play-In Tournament spot, but fell to 35-38.
“When you see that thing hit the net like that from that deep? Yeah, man,” Suns star Kevin Durant said of Boston’s deep shooting. “We know this is coming. You know what type of team they are. You know what type of league we in. But still, it’s a little demoralizing when teams hit deep 3s.”
Despite the loss, this has been an encouraging stretch for Phoenix, especially for coach Mike Budenholzer, who has struggled to find solutions for an expensive yet flawed roster. The Suns were a national punch line just 10 days ago because of the effort displayed during a nationally televised loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
But then they found something. With key players out with injuries, Budenholzer changed his lineup, relying more on rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, as well as Collin Gillespie, a point guard on a two-way contract. The trio increased Phoenix’s competitiveness and defensive activity. The Suns, previously quick to fold, suddenly showed fight. Their chemistry seemed better.
Wins over Toronto, Chicago, Cleveland and Milwaukee followed. And for the first time in a while, a frustrated fan base started to feel something it had not felt in a while. It wasn’t hope really. It was more, What’s this? Curiosity over what appeared to be a last gasp and where it might lead.
KD gets to his spot. pic.twitter.com/vXLm5TTQxU
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 27, 2025
Until then, most of the recent conversation around this team had focused more on offseason moves and what Phoenix should do to reload or rebuild. The win streak shifted attention back to the present. The Suns became interesting again, even if the biggest prize anyone could imagine was a path to capturing the Western Conference’s eighth postseason seed.
Wednesday’s loss didn’t derail the possibility, but the lack of firepower on display against Boston was jarring. As always, defense was an issue. After watching the Celtics drill their seventh 3-pointer, assistant coach David Fizdale lit up the Suns during an early timeout. After the game, Budenholzer said the Suns were not sharp enough in their rotations.
But even with better defense, Phoenix would’ve struggled to keep pace. Durant scored 16 of his 30 points in the first quarter but started the second on the bench. The Suns scored only 16 points in the second quarter. They missed all nine of their 3-point attempts. In nine minutes, Boston’s lead swelled from four to 25. Beal would have helped.
In two Phoenix seasons, Beal hasn’t been a great fit, but he’s played well enough. In 48 games this season, he’s averaged 17.3 points, shooting 50.5 percent from the field and just under 40 from 3. But since the trade deadline — when the Suns explored moving Beal and others — Beal has taken most of the public blame for where the team stands. Not helping his cause: The Suns are 21-27 when he plays and 14-11 when he does not.
In the first half of a March 14 home win over Sacramento, Beal was fouled while attempting a corner 3-pointer. At the foul line, the three-time All-Star spun the ball, dribbled three times and bent his knees. First attempt — no good. Second attempt — no good. Fans booed.
Beal hit the third free throw and finished with 15 points in 26 minutes. Two days later, he injured his left hamstring in the Lakers loss and has not returned, watching from the bench as Phoenix played its best basketball in months, a stretch that deflated some Wednesday.
Budenholzer said this week that Beal had yet to play 5-on-5. The veteran guard stayed after Monday’s shoot-around and worked with assistant coaches, shooting deep jump shots and floaters. He ran sprints after Wednesday’s pregame shooting session. With nine regular-season games left, the Suns still have time to build upon their recent improvement and make these final weeks interesting.
But to do anything more, Beal will have to be involved.
(Photo of the Suns’ Kevin Durant during Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics: Rick Scuteri / Imagn Images)
