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Although the basketball world has been buzzing about the Golden State Warriors' start, there's another Western Conference team starting to heat up. After the Phoenix Suns began the 2021-22 NBA season with a 1-3 record, fans were starting to wonder if the Suns could regain the magic that saw them reach last year's NBA Finals.
The team was dealing with a number of off-the-court distractions, and there was starting to be some doubt about the Suns getting back on the right track.
That doubt has been laid to rest as the Phoenix Suns have rattled off 10 straight wins. The team has an 11-3 record, trailing the Golden State Warriors by one game for the best record in the NBA. It's the first time the Phoenix Suns have had a 10-game winning streak since 2010, when Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash was the team's starting point guard.
After a slow start, the Suns have quickly become the team everyone expected they would be. They have received outstanding production as of late from a number of players. Let's take a look at three factors behind the surge.
No. 3: Rotation stepping up
Throughout the NBA season, teams are going to have to adjust when notable players suffer injuries throughout the grueling grind of an entire season.
That was a factor the Suns dealt with early on, as big man Deandre Ayton had a number of nagging injuries that led to him missing extended time. Ayton played in six of the first seven games before sitting out the next five outings. With Ayton needing time to recover from knee soreness, the Suns needed others to step up their game.
One of the unlikely heroes was veteran big man Frank Kaminsky. After being buried in the rotation, Kaminsky injected life into the team with his play with Ayton out. Over the span of five games, Kaminsky averaged 14.2 points in just 26.7 minutes of action. One of his most notable performances came in a road win against the Portland Trail Blazers in which Kaminsky dropped 31 points.
But that wasn't the only player who responded. Mikal Bridges has impressed lately with his ability on both sides of the floor. During the winning streak, Bridges has averaged 12.6 points per game while shooting 51.5% from the field.
And since returning, Deandre Ayton has given the Suns another huge boost. In his last two games, the Phoenix Suns big man has averaged 20.5 points and 12.5 rebounds while shooting 70.4% from the field.
Also Read: What is Devin Booker’s Net Worth in 2021?
No. 2: The stars
When the Phoenix Suns realized they were going to be without Deandre Ayton, the team needed to lean on stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker more as well. The duo didn't disappoint as they have done everything in their power to get the team rolling.
Devin Booker has started to find his groove in a big way. During the 10-game winning streak, Booker has averaged 23.6 ppg while shooting 45.2% from the field. After struggling to find his outside shot to start the season, Booker is finally finding his touch. In his last three games, the lethal scoring wing has averaged 26.3 ppg while shooting 46.7% from downtown.
Chris Paul has also started to find his way. The crafty 36-year-old guard averaged 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 10.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 48.7% from the field in the streak. After a rough first four games, the Suns needed the veteran point guard to take control, and with him doing so, they've found themselves back near the top of the standings in the NBA.
No. 1: Taking over in clutch time
While the Phoenix Suns have generated buzz with their winning streak, it's how they've pulled off those wins that's been the most impressive. It's not easy to win 10 straight games in the NBA. Last year, the Utah Jazz were the only team to accomplish a double-digit winning streak. So what has allowed the Suns to carve out such an impressive run? The team's play in clutch time.
Clutch time in the NBA is defined as any game that features two teams within five points in the last five minutes of a game. It's a time when every possession is amplified and mistakes are costly. In six of Phoenix's past 10 wins, the Suns had to pull out a victory in clutch time.
During those six games, the Suns have outscored their opponents 64-31 in a total of 20 clutch minutes. Showing up when the game is on the line is starting to become a habit for the Suns, who seem to have clutch in their DNA.
If the team can keep up this type of momentum underscored by these kinds of efforts, the Phoenix Suns are going to be a force yet again. A Nov. 30 showdown between the Suns and Golden State Warriors in Phoenix awaits, a game matching the Western Conference's top two teams that could have fans buzzing.
Guess the Lakers players!
