Phoenix Suns grapple with injury woes ahead of pivotal Spurs clash
The Phoenix Suns are gearing up for a crucial battle against the San Antonio Spurs at the Mortgage Matchup Center, but the injury report reveals a challenging landscape for both teams. The Spurs will be missing key contributors: Stephon Castle (hip), Dylan Harper (calf), Jordan McLaughlin (hamstring), and the highly touted Victor Wembanyama (calf). On the other side, the Suns will be without Jalen Green (hamstring) and Grayson Allen (quad), with Ryan Dunn (wrist) and Rasheer Fleming (ankle) listed as questionable for the matchup.
Previous Encounter Overview
This will be the second meeting between these two teams this season. In their first contest, held in Phoenix, the Suns secured a 130-118 victory. It was a rare off night for Wembanyama, who managed only nine points on 4-of-14 shooting—a performance far below his usual standards. Notably, all the Spurs players sidelined for this game also missed their last outing against the Atlanta Hawks. Despite the absences, San Antonio has shown resilience, winning six of their last eight games.
Injury Insights from Phoenix
Jalen Green’s ongoing hamstring injury has kept him off the court since training camp, and he expressed his frustration about missing the upcoming game against the Houston Rockets on Monday. “I’m a little bummed about it,” Green shared with reporters, emphasizing his eagerness to return. He is expected to be re-evaluated in a few weeks after joining the Suns via trade from the Rockets.
Grayson Allen, meanwhile, has been dealing with a quad contusion that has sidelined him for several games. Suns coach Jordan Ott remains optimistic, insisting that Allen’s injury isn’t serious. “He hasn’t done anything full court yet because today is a day after a game,” Ott noted. “He did do a workout today. This thing could speed up real fast and he’d be fine, but it’s still the same contusion, bruise on the quad. Nothing long-term.”
Suns on a Winning Streak
Despite the injury setbacks, the Suns have been riding high, winning seven of their last eight games. Their latest victory came in dramatic fashion against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they rallied from an eight-point deficit with under a minute left to claim the win. “What can you say? I think we talk about the highs and lows of the NBA season,” Ott remarked after the game. “Last time we were here, we were up big in the fourth and we couldn’t close it out, so this was great, gritty, and tough. It was an incredible fight by the guys.”
Ott emphasized the importance of teamwork and resilience, reflecting on the camaraderie displayed by his players. “I saw it on the TV as we were coming in and just all the guys huddled around the guy at the end, even during the interview at the end, that doesn’t happen everywhere. What we have going on right now is in a great place. It’s our job, all of us, to keep this thing going.”
Game Details
The Suns and Spurs are set to face off at 6:00 PM MST in downtown Phoenix, a matchup that promises to be as intense as it is vital for both teams. With injuries shaping the rosters, the outcome may hinge on which team can better adapt to adversity.
