PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns get a quick shot at revenge Wednesday night when they host the Portland Trail Blazers, the team that beat them by 41 points in the season opener, according to Arizona Sports.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MST at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Guard Jordan Goodwin is questionable with right calf soreness after leaving Monday’s loss at Golden State in the second quarter, Arizona Sports reported. He had four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 10 minutes before exiting. Goodwin, who re-signed on a three-year deal this offseason, is averaging 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Forward Rasheer Fleming is also questionable with a left ankle sprain, according to Tuesday’s NBA injury report. For Portland, guards Ja Morant (left hamstring strain) and Shaedon Sharpe (right meniscus surgery) remain out.
The Suns are 1-4 for the second straight season and have lost three in a row. The Athletic’s Law Murray dropped them to 25th in his latest power rankings, below the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans, Arizona Sports reported.
Defense has been the main problem. Phoenix ranks last in the NBA in defensive rating at 125.8 after finishing 10th last season. The starting lineup has been outscored 131-96 in 47 minutes together, and the Suns have struggled on the defensive glass.
The offense ranks 11th, but Jalen Green is averaging 11 points on 41.8% shooting, the worst start of his career, according to the report.
Phoenix’s only win came in its home opener against a short-handed Warriors team, when Devin Booker scored 43 points.
Sources: Arizona Sports, Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Cltjames / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
