Phoenix Suns: Revisit back-to-back sweep of Spurs, look ahead to series vs. Lakers-Warriors play-in winner

The Phoenix Suns ended their regular season with 51 wins, the second-best record in the NBA and the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

That’s cause for celebration – unless you’re Monty Williams.

“I’m just ready for the next thing,” Williams said after Sunday’s 123-121 win at San Antonio to conclude the shortened 72-game season. “That’s probably where I am right now. Just thinking about what’s on the table, how can we continue to get better, continue to prepare. That’s where I am.” 

The Suns (51-21) will begin the ramp up for their first postseason run in 11 years Wednesday believing they have as good as chance as anyone to win it all. Here’s a look back at their back-to-back road sweep of the Spurs (33-39) and ahead to facing either the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors in the first round.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs center Gorgui Dieng (7) and guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, May 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

 (Photo: Eric Gay, AP) Player of Saturday’s game: Devin Booker

He hit the game-winning free throws to beat Portland, but Devin Booker didn’t shoot the ball well Thursday night.

Missing 12 of his 17 attempts that included an 0-for-4 effort from 3, Booker also committed four turnovers and had just two assists.

Two days later, Booker looked more like the two-time All-Star he is at San Antonio.

Scoring 14 of his game-high 27 points in the first quarter, Booker shot 10-of-18, added four rebounds and turned the ball over just twice. He led a collective offensive onslaught as the Suns matched a season-high in points in Saturday’s 140-103 victory.

Mikal Bridges scored 18 points, Chris Paul posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists while Daric Saric added 13 as seven players reached double figures.  

Phoenix Suns guard E’Twaun Moore (55) celebrates with teammates after his winning score against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

 (Photo: Eric Gay, AP) Player of Sunday’s game: E’Twaun Moore

He hadn’t played more than 20 minutes since Feb. 8 against Cleveland when Paul sat with a sore hamstring

A proven scorer, E’Twaun Moore hadn’t reached double figures in a game since a 11-point effort in Feb. 1 against Philadelphia. He had nearly evaporated in April and May before getting an opportunity to show why he’s a “pro’s pro” Sunday.

After playing a total of six games in the last two months, Moore hit a game-winning 3 with 2.2 seconds left to stun the Spurs that forced Utah to win at Sacramento to capture the top seed in the West and overall as the Suns owned the tiebreaker over the Jazz.

The Jazz (52-20) rocking the Kings, 121-99, to finish the regular with the NBA’s best record doesn’t diminish Moore’s performance.

Missing just one shot on 10 attempts, Moore connected on both 3s in finishing with 22 points in 21 minutes with 16 points coming in the fourth as Booker and Paul rested.

‘Our guys were so nutty’

Rookie Jalen Smith’s two dunks had the bench going crazy.

Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton were celebrating off the court behind the baseline so much that Williams worried about the Suns drawing a delay of game.

“Our guys were so nutty, they were almost under the basket,” Williams said.

Williams was OK with all the jubilation, though.

“I love it when they celebrate each other,” Williams said. “I’m the only one that can’t celebrate because I haven’t done squat, but they need to celebrate each other every chance they get.” 

Smith ended what has been a disappointing rookie year with his first career-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds in a career-best 41 minutes as he made his first career start.

“It was just pretty much staying ready and making sure that whenever my number is called, I got out there and I perform and do whatever I have to do to help my team win,” said Smith, the 10th overall pick who averaged just two points and 1.4 rebounds in 27 games this season.     

With Jae Crowder (ankle) and Ayton (knee) out, Smith matched the number of minutes he had played in his previous nine games.

“That game should give him confidence he can play in an NBA game,” Williams said.

May 16, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jalen Smith (10) dunks in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

 (Photo: Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports)

Smith called his path “different” this rookie year. Here’s why.

The 2020 rookie class didn’t have a summer league due COVID-19 as the draft was in November, a month before the 2020-21 season began.

Smith injured his ankle before the third game of the season Dec. 22 at Sacramento. Missing five games, Smith was available Jan. 6 against Toronto, but didn’t play.

The next day, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was out five more games.

The Suns were already questioned for taking Smith with point guard Tyrese Haliburton available. Then Smith was hardly productive, spent time in the G-League bubble in Orlando, but Sunday’s play at least showed his potential. 

May 16, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jalen Smith (10) dunks in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

 (Photo: Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports) A little bit longer

Phoenix has already waited 11 years to make the playoffs after last doing so in 2010.

Now the Suns have to wait a little longer to see who they’ll play in the first round.

The play-in tournament begins Tuesday, but the game concerning the Suns is Wednesday – (8) Warriors (39-33) at (7) Lakers (42-30).

The winner will grab the seventh seed to face the Suns. Phoenix went 2-1 against both of them, but lost their last games to both during a recent two-game road trip.

May 9, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) grabs the rebound against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

 (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports) Lakers (6-4 in last 10 games)

Season series: 2-1, Phoenix. W, 114-104 March 2 in Los Angeles; W, 111-94 March 21 in Phoenix; L, 123-110 May 9 in Los Angeles.

Disclaimer: LeBron James didn’t play in the last two games with a high ankle sprain while Anthony Davis sat the first two matchups with a calf injury. The superstar big scored a season-high 42 points to lead the Lakers to their lone win against Phoenix. 

What to watch if Suns face Lakers: James played in the last two games of the regular season as he averaged 24.5 points on 50% shooting, seven assists and four rebounds. He looked pretty fluid, but that was against Indiana and New Orleans.

Phoenix will be a greater challenge. The Suns did struggle with the size of the Lakers in that third matchup. How they adjust will likely determine the outcome of a series that’d  feature four All-Stars in James, Paul, Davis and Booker.  

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) talks toward Phoenix Suns players during halftime of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu).

 (Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP) Warriors (8-2 in last 10 games)

Season series: 2-1, Phoenix. W, 114-93 Jan. 28 in Phoenix; W, 120-98, March 4 in Phoenix; L, May 15, 122-116, May 11 in San Francisco.

Disclaimer: Stephen Curry and Draymond Green didn’t play in the second game, but Andrew Wiggins was the difference in Golden State’s victory on the second of a back-to-back after beating Utah. Wiggins scored 38 points to offset Booker’s 34-point effort.

What to watch if Suns face Warriors: Pretty simple. Curry.

The Suns limited the league’s scoring champion to 21 points on 7-of-22 shooting (1-of-11 from 3) in that third game, but Wiggins got loose. So could Phoenix continue to bottle up Curry, and if so, could the rest of the Warriors deliver.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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