Suns Stumble in Disappointing Loss to Rockets
PHOENIX — The inevitable has arrived for the Phoenix Suns. In a game marred by mistakes and missed opportunities, the Suns suffered a disheartening 114-92 defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets. This loss snapped a three-game winning streak and underscored a night of struggle, as the Suns managed to score a season-low 92 points while shooting a mere 35% from beyond the arc.
Turnovers Haunt Phoenix
Turnovers, a recurring issue for the Suns, reared their ugly head once again, with the team committing 21 turnovers throughout the game. The Suns were playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a hard-fought victory against the San Antonio Spurs, but head coach Jordan Ott was reluctant to blame the scheduling for the lackluster performance.
“They are super physical, we are a physical team too. Back-to-backs are tough in general, but it doesn’t matter in the standings, on the scoreboard or the record,” Ott stated after the game. “Ideally, it is a different team and we don’t have to play them on a back-to-back. That is what it is; we knew it when the schedule came out, and they played great.”
Rockets Take Control Early
Despite missing key players, including Kevin Durant, the Rockets seized control early, leading by as much as 23 points. The Suns’ struggles were exacerbated by a formidable defensive effort from Houston, forcing Phoenix to empty their bench in the closing minutes.
The disparity in assists demonstrated the Suns’ offensive challenges, as they registered only 11 assists against their 20 turnovers. “Just wasn’t a great night there in those areas,” Ott lamented. “Some of it was them, some of it was us. We could never really get to it, just kind of clunking through it. I thought we had a couple of moments where it was like, okay, just get over the hump. We just never could.”
Defensive Efforts Fall Short
While the offensive output was concerning, the Suns’ defensive efforts also faced challenges, particularly against a Rockets team featuring standout performances from emerging talents. “I think overall it was pretty good, and the transition piece in the fourth, it felt like it bothered us,” Ott reflected. He specifically noted Amen Thompson’s impressive ability to penetrate the paint, describing him as “one-of-one in the league.”
Ott also pointed out the dual playmaking threat of Thompson and Alperen Sengun, which posed difficulties for the Suns’ game plan. “We tried some different things with Sengun in the post. The pass to Steven Adams in the fourth quarter was incredible,” he said. “We keep trying things; I think they hurt us in the half-court and transition at times.”
Despite the setbacks, Ott acknowledged moments of resilience on the boards against a strong offensive rebounding team like Houston, stating, “I think we did a pretty decent job on the glass. It looks like we did a pretty good job, but we will take a look.”
Looking Ahead
With the defeat now behind them, the Suns prepare for a crucial road trip to face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. The team will need to regroup quickly to regain their momentum and avoid the pitfalls that led to this disappointing outing.
