The Phoenix Suns aim to achieve their second-longest winning streak of the season when they host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
Phoenix Suns:
- Current Streak: Looking for a third consecutive victory. Their best stretch was a seven-game winning streak that improved their record to 8-1.
- Recent Performance: Phoenix dropped 10 of its next 14 games before winning their last two.
- Key Players:
- Kevin Durant: Missed time with two different injuries. The Suns are just 1-9 without him. He averaged 25 points and 7.5 assists in victories over the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers.
- Devin Booker: Scored 28 points in Sunday’s 116-109 win over the Trail Blazers.
- Tyus Jones: Scored 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting, starting in place of Bradley Beal (knee). Averaging 16.8 points and shooting 56.3% in December.
- Royce O’Neale: Averaging 16.3 points in December, making five 3-pointers three times during the stretch.
Indiana Pacers:
- Recent Performance: Looking for their second three-game winning streak of the season. Beat the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Portland Trail Blazers in succession in late November.
- Current Streak: Began with a 121-107 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday and continued with a 119-104 home victory over the Pelicans on Sunday.
- Key Players:
- Pascal Siakam: Scored 22 points against New Orleans.
- Tyrese Haliburton: Added 21 points and 10 assists against New Orleans.
- Injury Updates:
- Ben Sheppard: Close to returning after missing 14 games with a strained left oblique.
- Thomas Bryant: Made his debut against the Pelicans with seven points and two rebounds in 11 minutes. Acquired from the Miami Heat to provide depth in the middle.
This game marks the start of a three-game road trip for the Pacers, who will play five of their next six games away from home. The Suns had beaten the Pacers five straight times until Indiana won the second of two January meetings last season.
