The Phoenix Suns are set to begin a crucial three-game Eastern Conference road swing on Saturday in Indianapolis against the Indiana Pacers. This game marks a pivotal point in the Suns’ season as they come in on a three-game losing streak and with defeats in six of their last seven games following Tuesday’s 117-112 home loss to Memphis. The Suns open the 2025 portion of their schedule two games below .500 and in 11th place in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games out of the final play-in spot.
Kevin Durant has been a standout performer, averaging 32.1 points per game over this seven-game stretch, up from his 27.7 season average. Unfortunately, the Suns have been without two-time All-NBA guard and 24.7 ppg scorer Devin Booker for five of the seven contests due to a groin injury sustained in the Suns’ last matchup with Indiana.
In their previous meeting on December 19, the Suns fell to the Pacers 120-111, with Pascal Siakam leading the way for Indiana with 25 points and 18 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 13 points and 12 assists.
The Pacers, on the other hand, are aiming to build momentum before February’s All-Star Game. After a challenging start to the season, Indiana has improved to one game below .500 and enters Saturday in eighth place in the Eastern Conference after Thursday’s 128-115 win at Miami. Haliburton has been impressive, making 6 of 13 3-point attempts en route to 33 points while also distributing 15 assists in the recent win.
Haliburton, the NBA’s assists leader in 2023-24 with 10.9 per game, is averaging 8.8 this season. In his first two full seasons in Indiana, Haliburton averaged 20.7 and 20.1 points per game, respectively, with the former being a career-high. He is averaging 18.1 points this season.
Durant went for 37 points in the teams’ first meeting this season, showcasing his scoring prowess.
