The Suns have been without Devin Booker over the last four games as he has been dealing with a hip strain suffered in the team’s 121–94 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on February 19. However, the latest update indicates that his return to action could come soon.

According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix, the 29-year-old guard is expected to return during the first week of March. Booker could be available either for Tuesday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings or Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

“Devin Booker is progressing well from a hip strain and trending towards being back after this four-day break, likely either Sacramento on Tuesday or Chicago on Thursday.”

The Suns fighting to remain in contention

That represents encouraging news for a Suns team firmly competing in the Western Conference playoff race. Phoenix holds the No. 7 seed with a 34–26 record as of Friday, February 27, and Booker’s return should provide an important boost entering the final stretch of the regular NBA season.

The 11-year veteran has remained the face of the franchise throughout the season. Although many expected the Suns to struggle, they have stayed competitive, particularly when Devin Booker has been available on the court. Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the three-point line.

After defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 113–110 on Thursday, the Suns do not play again until Tuesday’s matchup against the Kings. Phoenix receives three consecutive days of rest, giving Booker and his teammates valuable time to recover and prepare for Sacramento.

His presence on the floor carries weight on both ends of the game, influencing scoring balance and defensive matchups. Any uncertainty surrounding the lineup draws attention, particularly in a matchup that features two competitive Western and Eastern Conference contenders.

As game time approaches, pre-game reports and official injury updates become central to understanding the rotation. Whether listed as active or sidelined, the decision impacts Boston’s approach in a high-profile meeting that continues to draw league-wide interest.

Jaylen Brown’s status for Celtics vs. Suns game

As the Celtics prepare to face the Suns on Feb. 24, Boston’s injury report reflects some late-breaking uncertainty around their star wing. Jaylen Brown is officially listed as questionable with a right knee contusion, the result of a minor knock sustained late in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

That designation means his status won’t be confirmed until closer to tipoff, with Celtics personnel monitoring his reaction to pre-game treatment and warm-ups. With teammate Jayson Tatum out on the Achilles injury report as well, how Boston manages its rotation figures to be one of the central storylines.

On the other side, Phoenix enters the game with a depleted roster of its own, giving context to the importance of Boston’s health check. Brown’s eventual decision to play or not could influence not only rotations but also strategic matchups in what remains a tightly contested late-season clash.

Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns possible starting lineups

Boston Celtics

• PG: Baylor Scheierman
• SG: Derrick White
• SF: Jaylen Brown
• PF: Sam Hauser
• C: Neemies Queta

Phoenix Suns

• PG: Collin Gillespie
• SG: Jalen Green
• SF: Ryan Dunn
• PF: Royce O’Neale
• C: Mark Williams

Booker spoke with azcentral’s Duane Rankin about the challenge the Thunder presented and what the matchup meant for the Suns moving forward. He expressed confidence in his group while acknowledging the high level of play Oklahoma City brought into the tournament.

“It’s going to be a great test for us. They have it rolling. They’re playing some of the best basketball the NBA has ever seen. I’m excited to match up against that. Another Cup game. We’re looking forward to that. We’ll see them Friday,” Booker said.

Phoenix entered the week with a chance to clinch the West Group A title with a win over the Thunder. Even in defeat, the Suns still had a path to the NBA Cup quarterfinals through the wild-card spot, which would depend on achieving a better point differential than the winner of the Memphis Grizzlies–Los Angeles Clippers matchup. The stakes were clear, and every possession carried weight.

How the Suns entered the matchup

Phoenix continued to exceed early expectations after its offseason overhaul, improving to 12–7 with a 112–100 NBA Cup win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. The Suns entered the Friday game with a strong +35 point differential in Cup play, a number that trailed only Oklahoma City’s dominant +71 mark in West Group A. The group standings remained tight, but Phoenix stayed well-positioned.

Booker led the way through the first quarter of the season, averaging 26 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc across 19 appearances. His consistency stabilized a roster still adjusting to significant changes in personnel and coaching. His role continued to be central as the Suns searched for rhythm and continuity.

The Suns’ growth extended beyond individual performances, as the team displayed improved chemistry and resilience in competitive moments. Their ability to close games and maintain composure reflected a group gaining confidence with each outing. The matchup with the Thunder represented a chance to validate that progress on a national stage.

Friday’s game carried both competitive and historical significance, as the Suns aimed to hand the defending champions their second loss of the season. The opportunity to stay alive in the NBA Cup motivated Phoenix, which viewed the tournament as a meaningful chance to secure early-season momentum. A win would have locked in their spot in the quarterfinals, while a loss would have shifted focus to point differential and the results elsewhere.

The Houston Rockets will be without superstar forward Kevin Durant for their next two games. According to Shams Charania, Durant is dealing with a family matter, which will keep him out at least until the Rockets’ game against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Durant played two and a half seasons for the Suns, averaging 26.8 points in 145 regular-season games between 2023 and 2025. He was traded to the Rockets in the offseason as part of a seven-team deal that sent Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and the No. 10 overall pick to the Suns.

With Durant out of the lineup, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and other Rockets players will take on larger roles in the offense. Houston currently holds a 10-4 record this season and sits fourth in the Western Conference.

Durant’s impact on Houston

Durant’s arrival in Houston has been immediately noticeable. He’s averaging 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, helping fuel the Rockets’ 10-4 start. Since Durant joined, Houston has built the NBA’s top-ranked offense and is considered one of the biggest threats to win the Western Conference alongside the Denver Nuggets and reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant is also expected to miss Wednesday’s game against another former team, the Golden State Warriors, while tending to his family matter. A matchup between Stephen Curry and Durant would have been a highlight, but fans may have to wait, potentially until a playoff rematch between the Warriors and Rockets.

Even in his 18th NBA season, Durant remains one of the most dynamic and productive players in the league. Rockets fans will eagerly anticipate his return, especially with a roster full of talented players who can complement Durant’s style and maximize his impact on the court.

Some NBA seasons refuse to follow the script. A handful of teams stumble through months of uneven play, battered records and shifting lineups, only to find themselves still breathing when the postseason door cracks open just wide enough.

Their paths rarely feel glamorous. Wins come in streaks, losses in waves and doubts settle in early. Yet within the chaos, something holds—an edge, a burst of timing, a locker room that refuses to surrender even when the standings insist otherwise.

What emerges is a catalogue of improbable survivors. Teams that slipped past logic, reshaped expectations and turned flawed campaigns into unforgettable runs. Their stories endure because they prove that hope can grow in the most unlikely terrain. However, there are also teams that create expectations only to fail when it matters the most.

Teams that struggled in NBA playoffs

The NBA postseason is where legends are forged, but not all invitees arrive with elite credentials. Some slide into the bracket burdened by a turbulent regular season, or worse, dragging a legacy of ineffectiveness.

These are the most dramatic narratives of teams that, due to historical circumstances, fleeting momentum or advantageous geography, gate-crashed the playoff party:

Worst postseason winning percentage

The Indianapolis Olympians (1952-53)

In an era when the NBA was still finding its footing, and league rules often allowed a high percentage of teams into the playoffs, the Indianapolis Olympians etched a mark of historical postseason inefficiency that remains unmatched.

While other teams in the league’s formative years might have slipped in with a worse regular-season winning percentage, the Olympians achieved something unique: they hold the franchise record for the lowest winning percentage within the playoffs at a desolate 4-9 (30.8%).

Unlike modern teams that simply get dispatched 0-4 in a single series, the Olympians extended their playoff agony across their short four-season history. Their final, 1952-53, playoff appearance, coming after a modest 28-43 regular season (39.4%), resulted in a 0-2 loss in the Division Semifinals.

This collective 4-9 playoff record—a reflection of their overall fragility in crucial games across their existence—serves as a stern reminder that qualifying is only the entry fee. The Olympians, soon condemned to folding after that final season, left behind a record of playoff struggle as unique as their short, pioneering tenure.

The worst-to-playoffs resurrection

Detroit Pistons (2023-24 to 2024-25)

If success is measured by the speed of redemption, the feat pulled off by the Detroit Pistons in their swift pivot from the 2023-24 season to 2024-25 stands as one of the NBA’s most stunning modern achievements.

The 2023-24 campaign was an unmitigated disaster, ending with a miserable 14-68 record (17.1% winning percentage), the worst in the entire league, and a historically humiliating 28-game losing streak. The narrative was one of absolute, entrenched crisis.

Yet, the transformation was meteoric and historically unprecedented. The following year, under new leadership and with a newly solidified core led by Cade Cunningham, the Pistons didn’t just improve—they qualified for the playoffs comfortably (finishing 44-38, a 53.7% winning percentage).

Detroit became the first team in NBA history to go from holding the worst regular-season record league-wide to securing a playoff berth the very next season. This resurrection story is not just an underdog tale; it’s a powerful testament to the volatility that a single, focused offseason, good coaching, and player development can inject into a seemingly doomed franchise.

Other noteworthy early exits (The 0-4 club)

These teams share a painful distinction: the perfect sweep in the first round, leaving them with an ignominious 0-4 playoff record in a single series. While this mark is shared by many throughout league history, these recent examples starkly illustrate the vast chasm separating a mere playoff qualifier from a true contender in the modern NBA.

Memphis Grizzlies (2015-16)

The 2015-16 Grizzlies perfectly personified tenacity forced by attrition. That season of the storied Grit and Grind era was ravaged by injuries that utterly dismantled their identity.

Despite just managing to claw their way to the playoffs with a meager 42-40 record (51.2%), the squad that showed up against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round was a shell of its former self.

The result was a demoralizing 0-4 sweep. Missing key stars like Marc Gasol and Mike Conley Jr., the “Grindhouse” philosophy broke down, unable to compete with a healthy, elite Western Conference opponent.

Their swift exit was not just an elimination; it marked a tragic end to an era, proving that even the most determined spirit eventually succumbs when the body is overwhelmed by adversity.

Miami Heat (2020-21)

The fall of the Miami Heat in 2020-21 was a particularly brutal reality check. Unlike other teams on this list, the Heat were the defending Eastern Conference champions just months earlier, reaching the Finals in the Orlando Bubble.

While their 40-32 regular season (55.6%) earned them a playoff spot, their rematch against the Milwaukee Bucks was a cruel reminder of how quickly the league’s dynamics can shift.

The 2021 series became a public execution of a team that simply couldn’t replicate its bubble magic. The intensity and clutch play that defines Heat Culture evaporated in the face of the Bucks’ adjusted, physical, and highly motivated game plan.

The 0-4 sweep that sealed their fate was not just a loss but a humbling for a franchise that expected to redeem its previous Finals defeat, clearly demonstrating that past success guarantees nothing once the postseason lights turn on.

Phoenix Suns (2023-224)

The Phoenix Suns‘ 2023-24 narrative is the most contemporary and painful, tied directly to the crushing weight of stratospheric expectations. After consolidating a Big Three with elite offensive talent (Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal), the team was widely viewed as a legitimate title contender.

Yet, the regular season was an exercise in inconsistency, chemistry issues, and a stark lack of depth. They entered the playoffs as the 6th seed and were comprehensively swept 0-4 by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The result was not just a loss but a declaration of bankruptcy for a superstar experiment that failed dramatically at the most critical juncture. For the Suns, the 0-4 was not an underdog surprise; it was the painful confirmation that the mere accumulation of individual talent is insufficient to overcome a lack of team cohesion and robust depth in a well-built playoff roster.

However, Jalen Green will not feature in today’s game between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans due to an injury. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix, Green has re-aggravated a nagging hamstring strain and is likely to miss a few weeks as he works towards a full recovery.

Gambadoro reports that Green might return by the end of December, which is a major blow for the Suns as he was developing an excellent chemistry with the team’s leader, Devin Booker.

Facing this challenging setback, the Suns will take on the Pelicans, a team struggling with a 2-7 record and missing their main star Zion Williamson due to injury, along with other players who have been underperforming early in the season.

Suns fully staffed, while Pelicans face significant lineup challenges

Despite the absence of Green due to injury for the Suns in their upcoming matchup, the rest of the team is set to take the court, led by the dynamic Devin Booker. The roster is further bolstered by the talents of Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen, poised to contribute significantly and help the team build momentum during this regular season.

Phoenix has a strong opportunity against the Pelicans, who are grappling with the absence of several key players. In addition to Zion Williamson, New Orleans will be without Jordan Poole due to a left quad strain, Dejounte Murray, recovering from a right Achilles rupture, and two G League two-way players, Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson.

Amidst these circumstances, the fan bases of both teams eagerly anticipate a high-caliber showdown as the Suns host the Pelicans. Despite the absences, both franchises are determined to exhibit their strengths and set the tone early in the regular season.

Suns guard Jalen Green is expected to make his 2025–26 season debut on Thursday night against the Clippers. Green (hamstring) missed the team’s first eight games of the season but is officially listed as probable for Thursday’s matchup.

With Green’s return in sight, the Suns enter as home favorites against a Clippers team that will be without James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Phoenix holds a 3–5 record so far but has shown progress, winning three of its last four home games.

Last season, Green led the Houston Rockets in scoring, averaging 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. Now, he’s looking to make an immediate impact with the Suns as they fight for playoff contention in a competitive Western Conference, generating plenty of excitement around his debut.

How has Green progressed?

Head coach Jordan Ott said Monday that Green has been progressing well and continues to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, according to Shane Young of Forbes. “He’s responded really well,” Ott said. “It’s been a productive few days for him. Today was a lighter day on the court, and we’ll keep evaluating him daily. But he’s in a good place.”

According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Green also participated in full-court five-on-five drills before Saturday’s practice — a strong sign that his return to the NBA is imminent.

Who’s leading the Suns?

Devin Booker continues to lead Phoenix with averages of 31.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. Mark Williams has added 10.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest, providing consistency in the frontcourt. Adding Green to that mix could elevate the Suns’ offense even further — especially if he can maintain the form he showed during his time in Houston.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Warriors have listed Jimmy Butler as questionable (right low back soreness) for tonight’s contest against the Suns. Butler joins Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Alex Toohey, who are all officially ruled out for tonight’s game.

The former Heat star suffered a setback with a left ankle sprain before the season began but recovered in time and has not missed any games with the Warriors so far.

Butler is enjoying a strong start in what is his first full season with the Bay Area franchise. Through the first seven games, the six-time All-Star is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, serving as a critical contributor alongside Stephen Curry.

Butler challenges teammates

Butler’s status comes at a critical time after the Warriors were surprisingly defeated by the Pacers on the road. Despite playing with seven players out, Indiana managed to secure its first win of the season against the Warriors.

Amid the team’s struggles, Butler issued a challenge to his teammates, insisting they must return to their defined roles and increase their collective effort to recapture the form that saw them win four of their first five games.

“We’ve got to get back to playing our roles to a T,” Butler said, per The Athletic. “Giving a damn whenever we turn it over. Giving a damn whenever our man scores. We guard as a team, we score as a team, everybody’s got to be on the same page. I think we’ve gotten away from that a little bit”.

Bradley Beal has missed the last two games for the Los Angeles Clippers due to lower back soreness. He initially suffered the injury while taking a charge during the Clippers’ home win against the Phoenix Suns earlier this week.

According to the Clippers’ latest injury report ahead of their Friday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Beal is not listed and is expected to return. Without him, the Clippers have shown mixed performances—posting an impressive home win over the Portland Trail Blazers but falling heavily to the Golden State Warriors on the road.

Beal continues to recover from knee surgery he underwent during the offseason. The veteran guard had an arthroscopic procedure in May following his second season with the Phoenix Suns before being traded to the Clippers.

What did Tyronn Lue say about Beal’s absence?

Beal only played the first half of the Clippers’ final preseason game against the Warriors and has appeared in just two NBA games so far, totaling 40 minutes. After the loss to the Warriors, head coach Tyronn Lue emphasized how much the team misses Beal’s presence early in the season.

“I think teams are trying to pressure us more, but we are missing a key component, which is Bradley Beal — a shooter, a playmaker, a guy who can handle the basketball as well,” Lue said after the defeat to Golden State.

“When you add that to the mix, it makes us better. But we just can’t have the offensive lulls we’ve been having. It’s about combinations and the guys we have on the floor. I like our second unit staggering James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, but that didn’t happen against the Warriors once they got tired, and that put us in a tough spot.”

Bradley Beal’s numbers so far

Through two games played, Beal is averaging 5.5 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.0 assist as he continues to build rhythm and chemistry with his new teammates. There’s no doubt he has much more to show once he fully regains his conditioning and adjusts to the Clippers’ system.

The roster has seen notable additions, such as Jalen Green, but with the departure of Kevin Durant, Booker assumes the mantle of leadership. The team is determined to secure an NBA title for its fans, who have long awaited this achievement in the Suns’ franchise history.

Booker was recently questioned about the level of performance expected from the team this season. He issued a bold statement to the rest of the NBA, emphasizing the readiness of the roster and the focused mindset he and his teammates are adopting as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

“This past summer felt too long without being in the playoffs. I’m eager to get back to it. I’m excited,” Booker expressed to the media, speaking ahead of the preseason game on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Booker embraces leadership role ahead of NBA season

Bearing the significant responsibility of being the cornerstone for a team brimming with talent, Booker recently addressed his pivotal role for the Phoenix Suns in the upcoming NBA season. He made it clear that he is fully committed to steering the team amidst the backdrop of substantial changes.

“Obviously, we’ve had some changes with the roster. We’ve had some changes with the coaches. So, I think it’s a big responsibility for me to be a leader and continue being a leader and getting everybody on the same page so we can start this thing off the right way,” Booker stated, demonstrating his awareness of the heightened expectations placed upon him.

With the promising outlook for the Suns this season, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation among the fan base, fueled in part by strategic new acquisitions. Notably, two elite talents from the Houston Rockets, Dillon Brooks and Green, have joined the roster, amping up the excitement for what’s to come.

“I would say our talk was not good, and I would say the stretch at the end of the first quarter and to start the third was not competitive. Again, I’m not expecting perfection in a preseason game, but there’s room for growth in those areas… Look, the reality, and this is not an excuse, this is quite literally reality, they’ve had 19 guys in the gym all of September… I felt that more on the defensive end,” JJ Redick said at the latest press conference.

The Lakers stumbled right from their preseason opener, struggling to assert dominance and sparking concerns about their competitive edge. Head coach Redick did not mince words, attributing the lackluster performance largely to the team’s physical conditioning. Adding to the uncertainty, Deandre Ayton’s debut underwhelmed as he logged nearly 18 minutes on the court, managing just a single point and eight rebounds.

Unlike Ayton, Austin Reaves showcased again his impressive talent to lead the Lakers’ offense. In just 20 minutes, he reached to score 20 points and contributed 3 rebounds with 2 assists. Amid controversy on his contract extension, the 27-year-old star keeps demonstrating his capatity to become a key roster player with JJ Redick at the helm. As the 2025 NBA preseason keeps going, Lakers may prioritize just regain competitive rhythm ahead the upcoming season.

Will Luka Doncic and LeBron James suit up for the Lakers in the 2025 NBA preseason?

Following a defeat in their first game of the 2025 NBA preseason, fans are buzzing with questions about the availability of Luka Doncic and LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers’ upcoming games. Addressing these concerns, head coach JJ Redick outlined his strategy for managing his two marquee players during the crucial weeks leading up to the official NBA season.

“Our expectation is Luka will play in the preseason. We’re gonna use next week to continue to just get him in a good spot with his body and energy and all that stuff… For him (LeBron James), it’s different in Year 23… He knows his body, so we’ll work with him, we’ll work with Mike (Mancias) on making sure he gets a point of comfort where he can sort of be a full participant. But he’s been on the court every day,” JJ Redick reports at the latest press conference.

Lakers fans eagerly anticipate seeing Luka Doncic in action during the upcoming games. However, the Slovenian star will sit out the next matchup against the Golden State Warriors, reported Lakers insider Mike Trudell. Meanwhile, LeBron James’ status presents a different scenario. Despite noting his progress, Redick suggested he might skip the preseason. This situation offers Reaves a prime opportunity to showcase his leadership skills.