The Phoenix Suns enter March with a 34-26 record, placing them seventh in the Western Conference. They trail the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder by 11.5 games and are 9.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs. However, the difference between the third and seventh seeds in the West is just 3.5 games, indicating a highly competitive race with multiple potential outcomes for Phoenix.
With 16 of their remaining 22 regular-season games scheduled in March, the Suns face a critical stretch. Their upcoming opponents include Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, and Charlotte, with the last three games set at their home venue, the Mortgage Matchup Center. The Suns have the eighth-easiest schedule remaining based on opponent winning percentages, offering a strong chance to gain momentum heading into the postseason.
Health Status Will Make or Break Suns’ Prospects
Phoenix currently struggles with key injuries, sidelining Devin Booker (hip), Dillon Brooks (hand), and Jordan Goodwin (calf), each with uncertain return dates. Booker is anticipated to rejoin the lineup this week, followed closely by Goodwin. Brooks’ comeback timeline remains tentative, dependent on his progress through surgery rehabilitation, possibly not until late March.
Booker’s presence is crucial for the Suns’ offensive and overall performance, while Brooks and Goodwin play significant roles in defensive and structural contributions. The team has rarely seen its core fully healthy this season, and the narrowing regular season leaves limited opportunity for all three to return simultaneously.
Even with Brooks missing much of the month, the Suns need the scoring influence of Booker and the defensive skill of Goodwin. The team’s ability to be competitive in the postseason depends heavily on regaining these essential players throughout March.
Importance of March Games as a Preseason Testing Ground
The Suns view March as a critical period to prepare for playoff basketball, where each contest carries increased importance. Coach Ott emphasized this intensity last month, stating,
“These are meaningful games. … All these nights are gonna be competitive, and everyone’s gonna bring their best, especially here. We’re not sneaking up on anyone. So that’s the part of the excitement, that we are here playing meaningful games here throughout the regular season,”
highlighting the urgency around these upcoming matchups.
As Phoenix works back towards health, they will face a mix of both strong and weaker opponents. This combination will test team chemistry, player roles, and tactical adjustments as games take on greater significance in deciding playoff positioning.
The Suns must leverage this demanding schedule to secure a more favorable standing and build cohesion, setting the stage for a potential impactful postseason run.
