The Phoenix Suns are tightening the screws in the fight for play-in spots in the Western Conference

There are only 10 games left in the NBA regular season, but the Phoenix Suns are making a final push to qualify for the play-in tournament. For a while, it was hard to imagine them among the top 10 despite their stellar talent. However, their recent recovery has allowed them to close the gap with the teams above them. After Monday night's victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, their fourth consecutive win, they now hold the last spot, tied with the Dallas Mavericks in 11th place. They are also just half a game behind the ninth-seeded Sacramento Kings.

Their current winning streak is the second longest in the Western Conference. Only the Oklahoma City Thunder, seeded eighth, have won more consecutive games with six. They have gained this momentum with impressive victories, including an 11-point win over the top team in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The schedule remains tough, with matchups against the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets this week, but they have had a perfect start.

While the Mavericks are tied with the Suns in record, the Kings must start looking over their shoulder in the playoff race. Although Phoenix has the toughest schedule, Sacramento also has some tough games ahead. They will face the Thunder, the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Denver Nuggets. On the last day of the season, the Suns and Kings could meet in Sacramento for a crucial showdown. With just half a game separating them, it could be decisive in determining which team will have home-court advantage in the 9/10 play-in game, or even who reaches the play-in tournament.

The Mavericks have been bolstered by the return of Anthony Davis, who helped them defeat the Brooklyn Nets in their last game. They have struggled without him, in addition to the season-long absence of Kyrie Irving. Dallas has lost seven of their last 10 games, allowing the Suns to rejoin the postseason race. In the final three weeks, each team will fight to extend their season.

Many had written off the Suns' season, with the team stagnant and showing no signs of improvement, especially on the defensive end. There were plenty of off-court distractions, with constant trade rumors involving Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal swirling around them. These talks extended past the deadline and threatened the team's morale and chemistry, leading to what seemed like a disastrous limp towards the end of the season.

The Improvement of the Suns

But as the crucial hours approach, the Suns have finally stepped up, better late than never. Despite injuries sidelining Beal and Grayson Allen, they have found rhythm and spark. Two-way guard Collin Gillespie has taken on a role in the starting lineup, while rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro have earned a significant increase in minutes, moves that have drastically improved the team's outlook.

Any team with Devin Booker and Durant is a force to be reckoned with, but one with a strong defense would be a rival to avoid. This season, the Suns rank near the bottom of the NBA in most defensive metrics, but in the last six games, they are twelfth in defensive rating, a stretch that coincides with Dunn's return to the rotation. Although the sample size is small, it appears that Mike Budenholzer has found a winning formula that could translate into success in the postseason.

Once Beal returns, a tough decision looms, as Booker and Durant have a 13-3 record without him this season. If they advance as the eighth seed, they will face the daunting task of taking on Oklahoma City in the first round. But a matchup that seemed like an inevitable conclusion in favor of the Thunder may not be so straightforward.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Phoenix Suns aprietan de lo lindo en la lucha por los puestos de play-in en la Conferencia Oeste