The 2024 NBA Playoffs have not gotten off to a strong start for the Phoenix Suns. The No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, Phoenix actually entered their matchup with the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves as favorites but have looked like the polar opposite of that through two games.
The Suns have been handled with relative ease in both games by the Timberwolves. In Game 1, they blew them out 120-95. It was another defensive clinic in Game 2, as Minnesota won 105-93.
The Timberwolves’ offense was a little out of sync in the first half with Karl-Anthony Towns picking up three fouls in only eight minutes. But, Jaden McDaniels picked up the slack, scoring a game-high 25 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists.
It has been quite a sight watching Minnesota play defense against Phoenix. Some NBA analysts were concerned they would struggle in some situations as the Suns have three elite offensive players, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, to slow down.
There would be a mismatch somewhere, but to this point, the Timberwolves have more than held their own. It is the Suns who need to make adjustments and find a way to get on track, which has led to one analyst making a bold decision.
Former NBA Player Lou Williams has suggested head coach Frank Vogel adjust his starting lineup. A three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner, Williams suggested the Suns try using Beal in a similar role moving forward.
“Is it a time now for the Phoenix Suns, where they explore the idea of maybe Bradley Beal coming off the bench?” Williams said.
In addition to moving Beal to the bench, Williams believes the Suns should give Isaiah Thomas a shot off the bench as well. With Grayson Allen getting hurt again in Game 2, Vogel is going to have to make some adjustments to his lineup moving forward.
Struggling to generate offense consistently, it would make sense to go to a sparkplug such as Thomas with the second unit. Royce O’Neale and Eric Gordon could be inserted into the starting five, giving the Suns elite spot-up shooting around Booker and Durant, while bolstering the production on the second unit with Beal as the anchor.
It would be a bold decision by Vogel, as Beal hasn’t come off the bench for a game since the 2015-16 season. But, down 2-0 in the series, if the Suns want any chance of coming back and advancing in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, changes need to be made.
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