Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns – Game #81
Harrison Barnes and the Spurs will look for another upset win (Photo via X)
In their final road game and their second to last game of the season, the San Antonio Spurs take on the Phoenix Suns tonight. The Spurs are coming off of one of their best wins of the season, a victory over the Golden State Warriors that ended with a heroic shot by Harrison Barnes.
Both the Spurs and the Suns have been eliminated from the Western Conference playoff race. Neither team is alive to advance to even the play-in tournament. The Suns are the 11th seed in the West with a record of 35-45, while the Spurs are the 13th seed in the West with a record of 33-47.
Phoenix came into this season with championship aspirations but they’ve been a major disappointment. The Suns have lost eight games in a row to seal their lottery fate.
In their previous two matchups this season, the Spurs and Suns split the games. The most recent battle was on Feb. 20 and the Spurs won that one 120-109. De’Aaron Fox led the way with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in 37 minutes.
Draft Pick Considerations
The Spurs need one more loss to lock in the eighth worst record in the NBA. If the Spurs win their final two games, they open the door to finishing ninth or even tenth. In addition to the Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers are the other team that could end up tying the Silver and Black.
San Antonio also owns the Atlanta Hawks first round pick. Currently, the Hawks are the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Spurs are obviously hoping that Atlanta fails to reach the playoffs so that the franchise can get a second lottery pick this season.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Since the Spurs don’t exactly want to win this game with the 2025 NBA Draft in mind, it’s not a surprise that there are a couple additions to the injury report. Devin Vassell is out with ankle soreness. Keldon Johnson is also out due to an injured ankle. Jeremy Sochan hasn’t played in the month of April yet due to back spasms and he will once again sit out against the Suns.
Phoenix Suns Injury Update
Kevin Durant will miss the game for Phoenix due to an ankle injury. Nick Richards, the team’s starting center, will also miss the contest with an elbow injury.
That said, the Suns should still have the services of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Suns
The Suns owe their first round pick to the Houston Rockets so they have no reason to try to lose this game. Oddsmakers have Phoenix as five-point favorites against the Spurs tonight. With the Suns likely looking to win this game and the Spurs holding firepower on the sidelines, the smart money is on Phoenix winning by six or more points.