Suns take aim at recent home woes against retooled Mavs
Mon Feb 9 6:46pm ET
Field Level Media
The Phoenix Suns plan a simple remedy for their miserable shooting performance Saturday.
"Keep shooting," guard Devin Booker said after a 109-103 home loss to Philadelphia, when the Suns made 11 of 46 attempts from 3-point range.
"We have good shooters that space the floor very well. We encourage everybody to keep letting it fly around here, and a majority of the nights aren't going to look like (this)."
The Suns' 23.9% mark from distance was well below their 36.5% success rate on the season.
The Suns' first chance at redemption comes Tuesday in a home game against the new-look Dallas Mavericks. While the Mavs arrive on a seven-game losing streak, they added to their rotation with the haul gained by sending Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline.
Power forward Marvin Bagley III, one of Dallas' new arrivals, had 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots off the bench in his first game with the Mavs, a 138-125 loss Saturday at San Antonio.
"Just getting a feel for how the guys play," said Bagley, a Phoenix native. "Just trying to figure guys out and doing it on the fly at the same time. I think once we figure that out, it will be great."
The Suns are on a three-game home losing streak as they approach the midpoint of a stretch in which they play 16 of 19 games in their own building. Tuesday's game is the ninth in that run.
The Suns have not been in sync recently. They have been outrebounded in each of the last four games and have been unable to compensate with their distance shooting and harassing defense.
The Suns shot 39.8% from the field against the 76ers. They made only one of their first 19 attempts from 3-point range to fall into a hole in Booker's return from a seven-game absence with a right ankle injury.
Booker had 21 points in 32 minutes, going 5 of 12 from the field and 1 of 7 from the 3-point line. Dillon Brooks (28 points) and Collin Gillespie (six points) each went 2 of 10 on 3-point attempts.
"A lot were catch-and-shoot from our best shooters," Suns coach Jordan Ott said. "Almost as high-quality as you can get from really good shooters. But it's a recurring thing. We got to get to the rim.
"We love 3s, but we love getting to the rim, too, and all that does to your offense. The rim is still more valuable."
The Suns average 14.6 made 3-pointers per game, ninth in the NBA heading into Monday's play.
Suns guard Jalen Green had eight points, three assists and three rebounds in 17 minutes Saturday during his return from a three-game absence, while Grayson Allen (knee) did not play. He will be reevaluated after the All-Star break.
The Mavs are looking to build around Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg, with Bagley appearing to be part of the new future.
Flagg had 14 points Saturday, when he played only 26 minutes because of a back issue. He scored 32, 36, 34 and 49 points in his previous four games, in that order.
"Just understanding there was his back," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. "It stiffed up on him, so we couldn't bring him back in."
Flagg's status against the Suns remains undetermined, though he did participate in practice Monday.
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- Luka Doncic (hamstring) out vs. Warriors but reportedly isn't badly hurt
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- Lakers' Luka Doncic headed for MRI on sore left hamstring
Chicago Bulls guards Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Tre Jones (hamstring) will both sit out Monday against Brooklyn, keeping Chicago's backcourt thin heading into the final week before the All-Star break. Giddey is set to miss a seventh straight game, while Jones remains unavailable as his absence stretches toward double digits. Their continued absence locks in expanded roles for Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, and Collin Sexton. In Saturday's loss to Denver, Simons played 33 minutes with 15 points, three triples, four rebounds, and six assists, while Sexton scored 17 points in 29 minutes. Simons is the safest short-term stream, with Ivey offering upside in steals.
According to Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated, guard Bennedict Mathurin will make his Los Angeles Clippers debut against Houston on Tuesday. The 23-year-old was acquired from Indiana at the trade deadline. Mathurin is expected to have a significant role with his new club, playing alongside Kawhi Leonard. He's averaged 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.8 minutes across 28 outings so far this season.
On Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports that Indiana Pacers forward/guard Johnny Furphy (knee) will miss the remainder of the season due to sustaining a torn right ACL. Across 31 outings, the 21-year-old averaged 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.7 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes per game. Now that Furphy is out for the forseeable future, Ben Sheppard and Quenton Jackson will be relied upon to take on expanded roles.
Orlando Magic Franz Wagner (ankle) is set to suit up Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 29-year-old has missed nine consecutive contests due to a sprained left ankle. In his return, Wagner will probably play less than the 32.8 minutes he's averaged this campaign. Anthony Black could continue to see an expanded role this evening, giving fantasy managers a solid option until Wagner is ready to take on his regular workload.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is available for Monday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ayton missed Saturday's 105-99 win over Golden State due to a sore right knee. However, he has been cleared to play against the defending champions. With Ayton back in action, big men Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber's minutes could be significantly reduced during tonight's contest.
Sacramento Kings forward Doug McDermott (shoulder) is active for Monday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. McDermott will play through right shoulder soreness and will come off the bench. The 34-year-old veteran forward has seen action in just nine games this season while averaging 9.3 minutes per contest. Still, during tonight's tilt, he could get extended minutes as Zach LaVine (finger) and Malik Monk (illness) are both sidelined.
Sacramento Kings forward/center Domantas Sabonis (back) will not play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, marking his third consecutive missed contest due to a back injury. With Sabonis sidelined, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell are expected to take on expanded roles. Raynaud should continue to serve as Sabonis' replacement in the starting lineup, while Cardwell is coming off a strong showing, posting a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against Cleveland on Saturday. Given New Orleans' bottom-six ranking in fantasy points allowed to centers, both rookie big men are in a favorable spot to deliver streaming value Monday night.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday against Philadelphia after sitting out Saturday due to injury management. The matchup is not part of a back-to-back, improving his chances to return, though availability remains uncertain. Williams has been productive when active, averaging 9.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks across 19.3 minutes over his last five games while shooting 91.7 percent from the field. If he sits, Donovan Clingan should see heavier minutes, with Yang Hansen next in line. Williams is a high-upside hold despite the risk.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Jaylon Tyson (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game in Denver after suffering a left ankle sprain, putting his Ironman stretch since mid-November at risk. If Tyson sits, Cleveland would likely redistribute wing minutes to Sam Merrill and Keon Ellis, though neither projects for a major usage spike. The bulk of the offensive load should continue to funnel through Donovan Mitchell and newly acquired veteran James Harden. Tyson logged 10 points and six rebounds in his last outing and remains a hold in deeper formats, but his short-term value hinges on availability.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (shoulder) is not listed on the injury report for Monday against Golden State after missing Saturday, indicating he has been cleared to return. His availability likely sends Jahmai Mashack back to a reserve role after Mashack logged 30 minutes with 8 points, two three-pointers, one rebound, one assist, and six steals. Coward had been trending up before the injury and now looks like a long-term hold, especially with Memphis' season tilting toward development and Ja Morant (elbow) still sidelined. Usage and minutes should remain stable.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (hamstring) is listed as probable for Monday against Philadelphia after sitting out Saturday as part of injury management. If cleared, Henderson should step back into a featured role with Portland short-handed. In his return last game, he logged 21 minutes with 11 points, five rebounds, nine assists, two three-pointers, one steal, and five turnovers while shooting 40 percent from the field. With Shaedon Sharpe (calf) out and Deni Avdija (back) questionable, playmaking volume should remain elevated, making Henderson a strong assists-focused play despite efficiency risk.
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (knee) will remain sidelined Monday against Golden State, marking a third straight absence as he continues to manage a right knee issue. Memphis is short-handed up front, keeping rotation minutes available. Kyle Anderson filled the void last game with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper delivered a spike performance with 25 points, five rebounds, and seven three-pointers in 25 minutes. Both remain volatile fantasy plays, but opportunity should persist as long as Aldama is out.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Lakers, extending his absence to nine straight games as he continues to work back from an abdominal strain. His return window remains uncertain, with Wednesday the earliest possibility. The continued absence keeps rotation minutes and usage available, especially with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) also sidelined. Cason Wallace led the way last game with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals in 34 minutes. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins remain viable streamers, while newcomer Jared McCain remains buried in a crowded guard and wing rotation.
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Shaedon Sharpe (calf) will miss a second straight game Monday against Philadelphia with left calf soreness. The absence keeps wing minutes available, with Vit Krejci and Sidy Cissoko positioned to benefit. In the last game, Cissoko logged 33 minutes with seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Krejci posted 10 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two three-pointers in 26 minutes. Both profile as short-term streamers in deeper formats, while Sharpe should be held in most fantasy formats until he returns. Deni Avdija's (back) status also bears monitoring.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) will return to action in Monday's marquee matchup against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The 2025 All-Star hasn't played since Jan. 17 due to a right hamstring strain. Williams has also missed time this season due to wrist surgery, appearing in only 24 games. He has averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 29.6 minutes per game. Because of his lengthy absence, Williams might carry a minute limit on Monday night. Still, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) out of commission, Williams will be expected to do a lot of work on the offensive end.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (back) might be out for a fifth consecutive game on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, as he has been listed as questionable on the injury report. Avdija is having trouble shaking off a back issue, which has limited him to only four appearances since mid-January. In Avdija's absence, Jerami Grant has moved back into the first unit, scoring a game-high 29 points in Saturday's win over Memphis. Sidy Cissoko, who tallied seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals on Saturday, also has more fantasy appeal with Avdija on the shelf.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (knee) won't play against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. He has been ruled out for the game due to right knee tendinitis. Porter Jr.'s absence creates an intriguing situation, as he leads the Nets in scoring with 25.0 points per game. The rest of the squad must pick up the slack on the offensive end. Meanwhile, Danny Wolf is poised to replace Porter Jr. in the starting lineup, having regularly filled in for him in the past. Wolf averages 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as a starter.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) will sit out a fourth consecutive game on Monday versus the Memphis Grizzlies. There's no clear timetable for Curry's return, but it seems likely he'll remain out through the All-Star break. On Saturday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters there's a "good chance" Curry won't play before the break. With Curry out, Pat Spencer operates as Golden State's starting point guard. There have also recently been starting roles for De'Anthony Melton and Gui Santos, while Brandin Podziemski has been tasked with providing a spark off the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been listed as out for Monday's clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will miss a second consecutive game due to a left calf strain. After Saturday's win over Golden State, Lakers head coach JJ Redick labeled Doncic day-to-day, so he shouldn't be out for long. However, the Lakers have three games in four nights scheduled and will be cautious with Doncic to prevent any further injury. Without Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves have to do more on the offensive end, while Rui Hachimura joined the first unit on Saturday.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) is listed as probable for Monday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ayton missed Saturday's win over Golden State due to a sore right knee and was labeled day-to-day by Lakers head coach JJ Redick. However, he appears on track to return against the defending champions. This is a rough spot for Ayton against Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Ayton managed only six points and five rebounds when these teams locked horns for the first time this season on Nov. 12. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber will lose minutes with Ayton's return.
