Suns Face Tall Task Against Wembanyama and Surging Spurs

Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs preview, Digi Mart USA News (Phoenix, Arizona): The San Antonio Spurs visit the Phoenix Suns in an NBA regular season game on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:00 p.m. MST at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Suns, who are 3-5, are looking to win their third straight game.

That will be a difficult challenge for Suns head coach Jordan Ott. The Spurs, who are 8-2, have won eight consecutive games since dropping their first two contests of the season, led by Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama is averaging 29.1 points, 12 rebounds and three assists per game, along with 1.3 steals and 3.9 blocks. He currently ranks in the top five in the league in points, rebounds and blocks.

San Antonio has used an unconventional all-guard lineup, playing three or even four guards alongside Wembanyama in its starting five. The Spurs rank in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating entering the game.

Although San Antonio ranks 17th in pace, it is second in fastbreak points per game and can push the tempo when it chooses. Neither team is a top three-point shooting team, as both operate mostly inside the paint.

Both teams have relatively light injury reports. Phoenix lists Jordan Goodwin as questionable with right calf injury management, and Mark Williams remains out with a left shoulder injury.

For San Antonio, Tobias Harris is out with a left calf strain, Jayden Quaintance is out following right knee surgery, and Devin Vassell is questionable with left adductor tightness.

The Suns have emphasized becoming more physical, and tonight presents their toughest test against a Spurs team that ranks near the top of the league in second-chance points, an area that has hurt Phoenix. After Phoenix’s win over the Houston Rockets this weekend, Ott said, “It’s something we can build on.”

Ott also pointed to lessons from the Orlando game, including guarding the basketball, staying out of rotations, and improving closeouts and communication. “If you can stay out of rotations, you can rebound better,” he said, “but if we do have to go into rotation, just be better in our closeouts and our communication and then taking the challenge.”