The Suns are getting crushed in one critical area of the game

When you look at the Phoenix Suns and see a 5-6 record staring back at you, there are plenty of explanations for why they’ve stumbled out of the gate. One of the most obvious is the schedule. According to ESPN’s strength-of-schedule metrics, Phoenix has faced the third-toughest slate in the NBA through the first 11 games of the season. We can also point to the ongoing challenges surrounding Jalen Green and his inability to consistently find his place on this roster. We can discuss how Miles Bridges has yet to hit his stride as he continues adjusting to a new team, a new system, and new responsibilities.

But there’s one glaring deficiency that threatens to haunt the Suns throughout the entire season unless they fundamentally change their approach or somehow miraculously become a larger basketball team overnight. Their inability to impact the game at the rim. And the numbers are downright horrific.

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Last season, Phoenix finished 29th in the NBA in field goal attempts within five feet of the basket, averaging 23.7 per game. This season? They’re averaging 23.5, the fifth fewest in the league. Think about that for a moment. The Suns have a healthy Jalen Green, a player whose athleticism and explosiveness theoretically provide the ability to get downhill and attack the basket. They also brought in Miles Bridges, another player expected to provide a more physical presence and generate opportunities around the rim. And through 11 games, neither addition has meaningfully moved the needle. Phoenix is attacking the basket at essentially the same rate as last season, despite investing significant resources in players who were supposed to address that very deficiency.

But the offensive struggles around the cylinder are only half the problem. The other half? Rebounding. And somehow, the numbers are even uglier.

The Suns rank dead last in the NBA in rebounds per game, averaging a miserable 38.9. That’s a full 10 rebounds fewer than the Minnesota Timberwolves, who lead the league at 48.9 per game. Phoenix also ranks 30th in rebounding percentage at 45.2%, meaning opponents are consistently winning the battle for…

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Publish date : 2026-11-14 21:00:00

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