Suns Shake Up Lineup in a Bid for Defensive Stability
In a surprising move against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns are shaking up their lineup, benching stars Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic. Instead, Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee will step onto the court as starters. For Beal, this marks a significant change, as he comes off the bench for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Historically, Beal has been a staple in the starting lineup, with 95.6% of his games beginning at tip-off. This season, he’s been averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game—all impressive numbers, but perhaps not enough to secure his usual starting spot amidst team struggles.
Reasoning Behind the Change
Head coach Mike Budenholzer has stressed the need for better defense as the primary reason behind this lineup adjustment. "We gotta be better at [the defensive] end of the court, give ourselves to get out and play," he explained. The Suns have found themselves disappointingly ranked 24th in overall defense and an even grimmer 28th in half-court defense. This context sets the stage for why the Suns are trying new tactics to tighten things up on their end of the floor.
Jusuf Nurkic’s Situation
Jusuf Nurkic, fresh from a three-game suspension, is also sitting this one out from the start, adding an intriguing twist to his situation. There are whispers around the league about the Suns possibly trading him before the February 6 deadline. Nurkic is currently in the third year of a four-year, $70 million contract, and the Suns might see a trade as beneficial given their recent performance. Interestingly, Nurkic's outside shooting remains part of his arsenal, with 4.8 three-point attempts per 100 possessions at a 30.4% success rate. However, these statistics haven't translated into a winning record.
Tough Times in Phoenix
Currently, the Suns' record stands at 15-18 after starting strong with an 8-1 streak. Unfortunately, they've skidded on a downward slope, losing four straight games and seven out of their last eight matchups. This has landed them in 12th place in the Western Conference, a position that certainly wasn't in the playbook at the season’s start. Their most-used starting lineup has notably allowed 122.3 points per 100 possessions while being outscored by 17.7 points per 100 possessions—a troubling stat that underscores the need for change.
Yet, all is not bleak in the Valley. The Suns face a favorable schedule ahead where only one of their next eleven opponents holds a winning record. This could be the window of opportunity they need to claw back up the standings. If these strategic changes pay off, Budenholzer’s gamble might just steer Phoenix back on course.