A lack of energy, consistent lineups help explain Suns’ recent slide

PHOENIX – What has happened to the Phoenix Suns? It’s a fair question to ask, even given the lowered expectations this season.

Since beating Oklahoma City, arguably their best win of the season, the Suns have lost back-to-back games by a combined 40 points. And in those defeats — to Houston (minus James Harden) and Indiana — the Suns have trailed by as many as 27 and 33 points, respectively.

In other words, defensively, the Suns have slipped.

On Sunday, the Pacers became the first Suns’ opponent since Detroit on Nov. 29 to score 30-plus points in each of the first three quarters. They finished with 120 points on 54.5 percent shooting; the latter of which marked the fourth-highest shooting percentage allowed by the Suns all season.

“We didn’t stick with the philosophy that we’ve been trying to build at the defense end. I don’t know if that’s because we were tired or a step slow. But, we went under on screens. We weren’t in a stance on the weak side the way we have been for the majority of the season, and they made us pay for it,” said interim head coach Jay Triano, who mentioned their defensive rating against the Rockets was “a little bit better”.

Guard Devin Booker pointed to a lack of energy in the Pacers game.

“I think we get so caught up on game-plan this and that instead of just going out there and playing with energy; and realize if we’re playing hard, that that’s the best way we look,” he said, before joining his teammates for a flight to Portland, where the Suns will play the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

“Coach said it,” Booker continued, “we’re not the most talented team so every game we’re going to have to out-play the other team with energy and effort and we haven’t done that.”

Making it tougher on the Suns has been the constant lineup shuffling.

In the past two weeks, starters Marquese Chriss and T.J. Warren plus bench players Isaiah Canaan and Josh Jackson have all missed time due to injury.

“One of the biggest things is our lineups, to be honest,” center Tyson Chandler said. “And definitely not any excuses but we’re young as it is and we don’t have enough firepower as it is to miss guys. Especially T.J., he’s our second-leading scorer and gives us almost 20 points a night. That’s tough to make up for with a young team.

“When that happens, they just kind of tee-off on Book, double-team him, trap him, force other young players that are not used to being in those positions to make plays. It’s just an area that we got to grow in, to be quite honest.”

Because of the recent rash of injuries, the Suns have used five different starting lineups in the last five games, only one of which they’ve won by the way.

And while player absences have meant increased playing time for some, others have struggled to adjust to new roles and new playing partners.

“For a long time our second unit was our strongest unit. They were coming in and getting us back in games and a lot of times finishing games,” Chandler said. “So with the mix-matched lineups and not having guys, it makes it tough.”

Injury update(s)

Officially, the Suns list Chriss (right hip strain) doubtful with Jackson (right hip strain) and Warren (low back soreness) both questionable to play against the Trail Blazers.

Chriss “had to be pulled” from practice on Monday, according to Triano, while Jackson was limited and Warren sat out the one-hour workout.

“So I don’t know what that means for tomorrow,” Triano said.

All three players made the trip to Portland. One player did not, and that would be foward Danuel House who has the flu.

The Suns have had three players miss games because of illness this season, two since the start of the New Year.

“Somebody’s got something all the time,” Triano said.

A long wait ends

Overshadowed in Sunday’s loss was the NBA debut of Suns rookie guard Davon Reed.

Drafted in the second round, No. 32 overall, Reed went scoreless and grabbed one rebound in the game’s final 4:50.

“It’s just a wonderful feeling. Something you dream about your whole life,” he said. “It feels great to be back on the floor.”

Reed underwent left knee surgery on Aug. 24 and missed the season’s first 36 games as he rehabbed.

Prior to his first NBA game, Reed averaged 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in four games with the Northern Arizona Suns of the G League

“I’m just looking to be a spark plug for my teammates,” he said. “Someone that can go out and bring aggression, energy, talking, just gritting. The things that we need to be a spark plug and that’s something that we need.”

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