But the Suns have taken a step back this season, sitting six games behind .500 and in 11th place in the West standings with 16 games remaining in the regular season, beginning with Friday’s road date in Sacramento. February was especially miserable in Phoenix, as the Suns went 3-10 in a month in which Beal and Durant dealt with the distraction of being involved in trade discussions leading up to the Feb. 6 deadline. Budenholzer has had friction with multiple players, including Booker, sources said.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro minutes! Diana Taurasi’s presser! And a few head coaching candidates for the Suns if Mike Budenholzer doesn’t make it past this season! We’re going live on @PHNX_Suns to talk about all of it:
youtube.com/watch?v=TtpXeu… – 5:57 PM
Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro minutes! Diana Taurasi’s presser! And a few head coaching candidates for the Suns if Mike Budenholzer doesn’t make it past this season! We’re going live on @PHNX_Suns to talk about all of it:
youtube.com/watch?v=TtpXeu… – 5:57 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
RIP award winning writer John Feinstein during my days as a college basketball announcer with DePaul and the University of Michigan, our paths crossed many, many times and he was a great conversationalist. His book on Bobby Knight was magnificent. Sincere condolences to his – 3:08 PM
RIP award winning writer John Feinstein during my days as a college basketball announcer with DePaul and the University of Michigan, our paths crossed many, many times and he was a great conversationalist. His book on Bobby Knight was magnificent. Sincere condolences to his – 3:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Nah. Obviously I’m biased, but I feel like Steven tried to pick him up and slam him and Mason happened to just be on top of him.”
Devin Booker on Plumlee-Adams ejections in Suns loss to Rockets.
On 17 turnovers leading to 18 Houston points: “We don’t talk about the spacing on pic.x.com/gnO8jMwu71 – 12:40 AM
“Nah. Obviously I’m biased, but I feel like Steven tried to pick him up and slam him and Mason happened to just be on top of him.”
Devin Booker on Plumlee-Adams ejections in Suns loss to Rockets.
On 17 turnovers leading to 18 Houston points: “We don’t talk about the spacing on pic.x.com/gnO8jMwu71 – 12:40 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: HOU 111, PHX 104
Beal: 25 Pts, 9-14 FG, 7-7 FT
Durant: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 8-12 FG
Booker: 19 Pts, 4 Ast, 7-15 FG
Ighodaro: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 4 Blk, 4-4 FG
Green: 29-7-4-3, 8-16 FG – 10:23 PM
Final: HOU 111, PHX 104
Beal: 25 Pts, 9-14 FG, 7-7 FT
Durant: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 8-12 FG
Booker: 19 Pts, 4 Ast, 7-15 FG
Ighodaro: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 4 Blk, 4-4 FG
Green: 29-7-4-3, 8-16 FG – 10:23 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: HOU 57, PHX 52
Beal: 13 Pts, 2 Ast, 6-11 FG
Durant: 9 Pts, 4-6 FG
Booker: 10 Pts, 3 Ast, 4-7 FG
Green: 15 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Stl, 6-10 FG
Get ready for lots of Oso Ighodaro and small-ball after Mason Plumlee’s ejection! – 9:08 PM
Halftime: HOU 57, PHX 52
Beal: 13 Pts, 2 Ast, 6-11 FG
Durant: 9 Pts, 4-6 FG
Booker: 10 Pts, 3 Ast, 4-7 FG
Green: 15 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Stl, 6-10 FG
Get ready for lots of Oso Ighodaro and small-ball after Mason Plumlee’s ejection! – 9:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker 4 quick points. Suns down 3. Timeout Rockets with 8:14 left in half. #Suns – 8:47 PM
Booker 4 quick points. Suns down 3. Timeout Rockets with 8:14 left in half. #Suns – 8:47 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mike Budenholzer said Grayson Allen being out with left foot soreness is a development from the end of Monday’s game at Memphis to today.
Allen missed a game vs Pelicans with left foot soreness this seaaon.
As for Nick Richards, Budenholzer said he’s “tweaked” his right ankle pic.x.com/e40vFnO6tP – 7:37 PM
Mike Budenholzer said Grayson Allen being out with left foot soreness is a development from the end of Monday’s game at Memphis to today.
Allen missed a game vs Pelicans with left foot soreness this seaaon.
As for Nick Richards, Budenholzer said he’s “tweaked” his right ankle pic.x.com/e40vFnO6tP – 7:37 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns starting lineup at Rockets:
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Royce O’Neale
Kevin Durant
Mason Plumlee #Suns – 7:34 PM
Suns starting lineup at Rockets:
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Royce O’Neale
Kevin Durant
Mason Plumlee #Suns – 7:34 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
Rockets starting lineup:
G – Fred VanVleet
G – Jalen Green
F – Dillon Brooks
F – Tari Eason
C – Alperen Sengun
Suns:
G – Devin Booker
G – Bradley Beal
F – Royce O’Neale
F – Kevin Durant
C – Mason Plumlee – 7:33 PM
Rockets starting lineup:
G – Fred VanVleet
G – Jalen Green
F – Dillon Brooks
F – Tari Eason
C – Alperen Sengun
Suns:
G – Devin Booker
G – Bradley Beal
F – Royce O’Neale
F – Kevin Durant
C – Mason Plumlee – 7:33 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mike Budenholzer said Nick Richards and Bol Bol haven’t played much in 2nd halves of recent games, noting Dallas and Memphis went small.
“There’s basically been no other centers on the court.”
Added Suns have had success playing Kevin Durant or Royce O’Neale at the five. #Suns pic.x.com/2EOulyz2zf – 7:29 PM
Mike Budenholzer said Nick Richards and Bol Bol haven’t played much in 2nd halves of recent games, noting Dallas and Memphis went small.
“There’s basically been no other centers on the court.”
Added Suns have had success playing Kevin Durant or Royce O’Neale at the five. #Suns pic.x.com/2EOulyz2zf – 7:29 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mike Budenholzer said Nick Richards and Bol Bol haven’t played in 2nd halves of recent games, noting Dallas and Memphis went small.
“There’s basically been no other centers on the court.”
Added Suns have had success playing Kevin Durant or Royce O’Neale at the five. #Suns pic.x.com/i5jDR11Mrm – 7:27 PM
Mike Budenholzer said Nick Richards and Bol Bol haven’t played in 2nd halves of recent games, noting Dallas and Memphis went small.
“There’s basically been no other centers on the court.”
Added Suns have had success playing Kevin Durant or Royce O’Neale at the five. #Suns pic.x.com/i5jDR11Mrm – 7:27 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Physicality.
That’s how Rockets coach Ime Udoka wants Houston to defend Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in tonight’s game.
Suns were w/o Booker and Beal in their last meeting Phoenix lost before #NBAAllStar2025 break.
Durant committed seven turnovers. Udoka noted pic.x.com/TDpxxC0k8e – 7:22 PM
Physicality.
That’s how Rockets coach Ime Udoka wants Houston to defend Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in tonight’s game.
Suns were w/o Booker and Beal in their last meeting Phoenix lost before #NBAAllStar2025 break.
Durant committed seven turnovers. Udoka noted pic.x.com/TDpxxC0k8e – 7:22 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mike Budenholzer said Grayson Allen being out with left foot soreness is a development from the end of Monday’s game at Memphis to today.
Allen missed a game vs Pelicans with left foot soreness this seaaon.
As for Nick Richards, Budenholzer said he’s “tweaked” his right ankle pic.x.com/B2IwU4pSEt – 7:17 PM
Mike Budenholzer said Grayson Allen being out with left foot soreness is a development from the end of Monday’s game at Memphis to today.
Allen missed a game vs Pelicans with left foot soreness this seaaon.
As for Nick Richards, Budenholzer said he’s “tweaked” his right ankle pic.x.com/B2IwU4pSEt – 7:17 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Thoughts and prayers and condolences to his family, to his friends.”
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on the passing of Olive Miller, who was on the 1993 team that reached the finals.
“Growing up in Arizona, watching those teams, what an incredible passer, what an incredible pic.x.com/PCwBUGwT7W – 7:01 PM
“Thoughts and prayers and condolences to his family, to his friends.”
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on the passing of Olive Miller, who was on the 1993 team that reached the finals.
“Growing up in Arizona, watching those teams, what an incredible passer, what an incredible pic.x.com/PCwBUGwT7W – 7:01 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Daredevil: Born Again is off to an incredible start in my book. 3-for-3 on absolute bangers – 3:11 PM
Daredevil: Born Again is off to an incredible start in my book. 3-for-3 on absolute bangers – 3:11 PM
More on this storyline
Never mind that there are plenty of rival executives who would advise Ishbia and the Suns to consider listening to offers, specifically from the Houston Rockets, who control a significant chunk of Phoenix’s future first-round capital (2025 swap rights, 2027 and 2029 picks, all unprotected) via a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Sources have told ESPN that the Rockets have repeatedly expressed interest in Booker, a 28-year-old star who fits Houston’s timeline, and that those conversations have been brief. “Never happen,” Ishbia said, interrupting the question. “It’s silly. So here’s what I’ll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player.” -via ESPN / March 14, 2025
Nor will Booker request a trade, regardless of how the Suns finish this season. Booker says he is fully committed to spending his entire career in Phoenix, sharing that vision with Ishbia and the Suns’ lead executives, CEO Josh Bartelstein and general manager James Jones. -via ESPN / March 14, 2025
“I mean, it’s a rare breed,” Booker told ESPN, wearing a T-shirt with his idol Kobe Bryant’s Black Mamba logo as he explained after a recent shootaround why playing for only one franchise is so important to him. “I take pride in the community in Phoenix, the people that have supported me since I was 18 when things were ugly. And the people that are with us, we just fell short of accomplishing what we want. So I want to do it, and I want to do it here. “That’s the responsibility of being a franchise player, and I wear that with honor. So it might not look the most pretty right now, but we got to get it done and I’m going to do it.” -via ESPN / March 14, 2025
