Phoenix Suns shake up starting lineup against Hawks amid injury challenges
The Phoenix Suns are making headlines with a bold starting lineup change as they face off against the Atlanta Hawks. This adjustment stems from a wave of injuries that has hit the team hard, prompting them to roll out a new configuration for tonight’s game.
New Faces in the Starting Five
The Suns will take the court with the following starting lineup:
Devin Booker
Dillon Brooks
Ryan Dunn
Royce O’Neale
Mark Williams
This shift comes as both Jalen Green, dealing with a hamstring issue, and Grayson Allen, sidelined with a quad injury, will not participate in tonight’s matchup. Green is set for reevaluation in a few weeks, while Allen’s status remains day-to-day. With Allen out, Booker now stands as the lone player who has started every game for the Suns this season.
Booker and Brooks Leading the Charge
Fresh off a spectacular 30-point performance in their last game, Booker is making waves this season. Averaging 28.5 points per game, he currently ranks ninth in the NBA, along with contributions of 4.2 rebounds and seven assists per contest.
Brooks has also been instrumental for the Suns, having scored over 30 points in a recent outing against Indiana. His defensive mindset has been pivotal for the team. “It doesn’t matter who’s guarding and who’s on it. We follow our strategy, play physical and slowly it wears and tears on the offenses and it shows,” Brooks noted after Thursday’s game. “At least the top-10 defense, we got to work on our rebounding and that’s why they stay in the game. Rebounding, fouling, I watch that and coach it up. So bring that to the next game.”
O’Neale’s Hot Shooting and Williams’ Return
Royce O’Neale is enjoying a career-best start to the season, knocking down three-pointers at an impressive 45.4% rate in the first 13 games. He’s also contributing significantly with 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Mark Williams, who was previously on the injury report, makes a return to the starting lineup as the Suns are being cautious with his health moving forward.
Anticipation Builds for the Matchup
Entering tonight’s game, the Suns are riding a five-game winning streak, holding an identical 8-5 record as their opponents, the Hawks.
“They’re high-energy athletes, multiple guys who can dribble, pass and shoot. It puts you in a lot of different disadvantages on their offensive end,” Suns coach Jordan Ott remarked about Atlanta. “Defensively, they’re big. They force turnovers. Coming in playing well.”
The Hawks, meanwhile, have been thriving without their star player Trae Young, winning six of their last eight games during his absence. They have also swept their current three-game road trip in the West.
“Good team, good team, playing fast,” Suns guard Jordan Goodwin said, reflecting on the challenge ahead. “Definitely going to be a good matchup for us.”
The eagerly awaited Suns-Hawks matchup is set to tip off just past 6:00 PM MST at the Mortgage Matchup Center, promising an exciting clash between two teams looking to establish dominance in the early season.
