The Phoenix Suns are currently in a competitive position in the Western Conference standings with a record of 43-31, placing them seventh.
They are close to moving into sixth place and avoiding the play-in tournament, being just 1.5 games behind.
However, the Dallas Mavericks, who are currently in sixth place, have been performing exceptionally well with a 9-1 record in their last ten games, making the race for positioning even more intense.
The Phoenix Suns indeed have a tight race with the Sacramento Kings, who are just half a game behind them in the standings. However, the Suns also face challenges due to injuries to key players on other teams.
Kevin Huerter of the Atlanta Hawks suffered a season-ending injury with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Additionally, Malik Monk of the Los Angeles Lakers is feared to have suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. These injuries could impact the dynamics of the playoff race in the Western Conference.
As Phoenix, who has eight regular-season games left, fights to, at a minimum, maintain homecourt advantage against the eighth seed in the play-in tournament, the Suns have signed Isaiah Thomas to a second 10-day contract.
Isaiah Thomas, the former Boston Celtics star, has played in two games during his second stint with the Phoenix Suns.
In his most recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he played the final 7 minutes and 34 seconds, contributing five points on 2/4 shooting and providing an assist.
Despite the loss, Thomas showcased his scoring ability and playmaking skills, potentially proving valuable for the Suns as they navigate their remaining regular-season games and prepare for the playoffs.