Suns Shuffle the Deck in High-Stakes Showdown With Rockets
Tonight’s Suns–Rockets matchup feels like one of those games where the script gets rewritten right before tip-off. Phoenix is rolling out a completely new starting lineup, and this shift comes because the team will play without Devin Booker for the first time this season. His left groin strain has taken him out of action for at least a week, and that absence alone sets a very different tone for this rematch with Houston.
This is also the Suns’ 13th different starting lineup of the year, which says a lot about the injuries they’ve had to navigate. Jalen Green is still sidelined with a hamstring strain, and Isaiah Livers remains out with a hip issue. On the Rockets’ side, the big surprise came earlier: Alperen Sengun, who dominated the Suns in their last meeting, has been ruled out with an illness. He dropped 18 points in their previous clash, a game Houston won by 22 and the only time Phoenix has been held under 100 all season.
Also Read:- Socceroos Land Favourable 2026 World Cup Draw in Group D
- Celtics and Lakers Set for a Blockbuster Showdown in Boston
So, here’s who Phoenix is starting tonight: Collin Gillespie, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale, and Mark Williams. Gillespie moves into Booker’s backcourt spot, Allen and Williams slot back in after missing the first matchup, and Brooks gets a chance at a statement night in his return to Houston.
Even with Sengun out, the Rockets remain strong favorites. They’re 14–5, they lead the league in rebounding, and they’re getting Kevin Durant back after he missed the first meeting. Durant has been on a tear, averaging 25 points for Houston and playing some of his sharpest basketball in years. With him healthy and engaged, the entire complexion of this game changes. Phoenix didn’t have to deal with KD last time — now they’ll have to slow him down while also handling Amen Thompson, who torched them for 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in that earlier blowout.
For the Suns to have any chance, the game will have to be turned into a grind. Phoenix has been great all year at generating steals without fouling and turning those moments into transition points, and that may actually come easier with Sengun out. Houston relies on him as a playmaking hub, and without a traditional point guard, their offense can occasionally get out of rhythm.
Offensively, replacing Booker is never a one-man job, but Dillon Brooks is expected to come out firing. This is his first game back in Houston since the offseason trade, and if there’s ever a night where he leans into his aggressive scoring mindset, it’s this one. Grayson Allen and Mark Williams will also be asked to pick up the slack, especially with the Rockets still missing several contributors of their own.
If the Suns want to pull off the upset, they’ll need to speed things up, stay physical, and create as much chaos as possible. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s exactly the kind of game where energy and effort can swing the momentum. Tip-off is just around the corner, and both sides come in with something to prove.
Read More:
0 Comments