Phoenix Suns’ Defensive Woes Exposed in Blowout Loss to Celtics
The Phoenix Suns’ momentum came to a screeching halt as they suffered a 132-102 defeat against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Riding a four-game winning streak, Phoenix looked like they had turned a corner, but this game showed a different reality—the Suns need Bradley Beal if they want to compete.
Boston’s Three-Point Barrage Leaves Suns Helpless
Even without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics dominated from deep, sinking seven three-pointers in the opening minutes and finishing with 22 made threes overall. Phoenix struggled to contest shots, exposing their defensive weaknesses once again.
Kevin Durant, who finished with 30 points, admitted how frustrating it was to watch Boston light them up from long range.
“We know the kind of team they are. But when you see deep threes falling like that? Yeah, it’s demoralizing,” Durant said.
The Suns remain 10th in the Western Conference with a 35-38 record, barely holding onto a Play-In Tournament spot. However, this game raised concerns about whether they have enough firepower to secure a postseason berth.
Has Phoenix Been Better Without Bradley Beal?
During their recent four-game winning streak, Phoenix played without Bradley Beal, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Some speculated whether the Suns were better off without him.
However, Wednesday’s loss proved that the Suns need Bradley Beal. Despite a strong first quarter, Phoenix’s offense collapsed when Durant sat to start the second. The Suns scored just 16 points, missing all nine three-point attempts, while Boston’s lead grew from four points to 25.
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Beal’s Season: Criticism and Questions About His Future
Since joining Phoenix, Beal’s time with the Suns has been rocky. He has been criticized for his $50 million salary, no-trade clause, and frequent injuries. In 48 games this season, he has averaged 17.3 points per game on 50.5% shooting, including nearly 40% from three-point range.
Despite his solid numbers, Beal has taken a large share of the blame for the Suns’ struggles. The team’s record with him (21-27) versus without him (14-11) has fueled the debate over his impact. But if the Boston loss was any indication, Phoenix is missing his scoring and playmaking.
Bradley Beal’s Return Timeline & The Suns’ Playoff Push
With just nine regular-season games remaining, Beal still hasn’t returned to full-contact practices. He has been taking deep shots, working on floaters, and running sprints, but coach Mike Budenholzer has not set a return date.
If the Suns want to stay in the playoff race, they can’t afford to wait much longer—Bradley Beal needs to return. While recent games showed promise, Wednesday’s blowout proved one thing beyond doubt—the Suns need Bradley Beal if they want to compete in the postseason.