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Mat Ishbia is confident about the Phoenix Suns escaping the first round of this year’s playoffs. Is this fake-it-till-you-make-it internet bluster or are the Phoenix Suns built for playoff success?
It wouldn’t be the first time Ishbia expressed his confidence in the potential of the Phoenix Suns. To open the 2025-26 season, The Ringer predicted the Suns’ defense to finish at the bottom of the league, an assertion that Ishbia vehemently rejected. The Suns stamped his words with an exclamation point, finishing in the top 10 in defensive rating. Can the Suns do it a second time and deliver Phoenix its first playoff series win after three years of disappointment?
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The answer to that may depend on who they play.
The following are my predictions of how the Suns might fare against the presumptive top 6 teams in the Western Conference in a seven-game playoff series.
Suns 0 – Thunder 4
The Thunder are the team that the Phoenix Suns are building to be. It was very clear in last year’s playoff matchups that the Thunder consistently turned aggressive defensive pressure on the perimeter and active hands into turnovers that sparked eight- to twelve-point runs. That’s exactly what the Suns have described this iteration of the roster to become over the course of the remaining years of Booker’s contract. I don’t think they get there this season. If the Suns want to avoid another first-round exit, they must avoid the play-in and the Thunder.
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Suns 2 – Spurs 4
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with teammates after the victory against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If there’s anything the preseason has shown us, it’s that the Suns have the Spurs number. Despite this, I think handling…
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Publish date : 2026-10-18 03:00:00
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