Suns’ franchise-record losing streak: By the numbers
Apr 2, 2018, 8:48 AM
1Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) goes up for a dunk against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Another night, another loss for the Phoenix Suns.
Easter Sunday was spent in Oakland, where the Suns again showed flashes, but ultimately wore down against the defending league champion Golden State Warriors in a 117-107 loss.
It was the Suns’ 15th straight defeat, a new mark of futility for a franchise in its 50th season in the league.
Not to celebrate it, but here’s a look back at some of the key numbers of Phoenix’s losing skid, which encompassed all of March, and has now bled into April.
33
Number of days since the Suns’ last win — a 110-102 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 28.
3
The Suns have won only three times since the last day of January. They’re that close to what would now be a 32-game losing streak. The longest skid in league history is 28 games, “achieved” by the Philadelphia 76ers over the span of two seasons from March of 2015 to December of 2015.
2
The number of games during the streak in which the Suns never held a lead. In consecutive losses to Charlotte (March 10) and Cleveland (March 13), Phoenix was never ahead.
5
The number of games during the streak in which the Suns held double-digit leads. In fact, this has occurred against some of the best teams in the league. Twice — on March 17 and April 1 — the Suns held sizable advantages over the Golden State Warriors before succumbing. Last Friday night in Houston, the Suns had the Rockets down by 21 points, which is Phoenix’s largest lead at any point during this streak.
31
The biggest deficit during the streak for the Suns. The Utah Jazz had a 31-point edge against Phoenix in Salt Lake City on March 15 before winning by 28. The Cleveland Cavaliers also had the Suns down by 31 points on March 23 before settling for a 120-95 win.
14.67
The average margin of loss during the Suns’ current streak.
27.9%
The amount of time the Suns have held a lead during this 15-game span. This includes the 46 minutes (95.8 percent of the game) that Phoenix held an edge on the Rockets last Friday before losing 104-103 on a Gerald Green buzzer-beating three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left.
3
Only three players on the Suns’ roster — forwards Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss and reserve guard Shaquille Harrison — have played in all 15 games of the losing streak.
17.9
Of the players that have played 10 or more games in this span, rookie Josh Jackson is the Suns’ leading scorer, averaging 17.9 points per contest while adding 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
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