The Phoenix Suns faced the San Antonio Spurs on April 11, 2025, for an NBA matchup at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, in what was the Suns’ home finale. Both teams entered this game with disappointing records and had already been eliminated from playoff contention, using the match to restore some pride and establish confidence heading into the next season.
Recap of the Season
The Phoenix Suns, underwhelmingly finishing the season at 36-45, were plagued by inconsistent performances and an eight-game losing streak leading into Friday’s game. Standout issues for the Suns included lapses in defense, with an average of 117.9 points conceded per 100 possessions in recent games. Additionally, key injuries—most notably to Kevin Durant (ankle) and Nick Richards (elbow)—deprived the team of critical contributors for extended stretches. The offense, led by Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and rookie Ryan Dunn, did show flashes of potential, especially in three-point shooting accuracy, where the Suns excelled at 37.8%.
The San Antonio Spurs (33-47) had their own struggles, including adapting to the prolonged absence of De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama. Despite these setbacks, rookie Stephon Castle thrived and emerged as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, averaging 14.6 points for the season and demonstrating recent improvement with 19.2 points per game in April. The Spurs relied on Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagnie to power their offensive output.
Game Performance
The Suns snapped their eight-game skid with a 117-98 victory over the Spurs. Rookie Ryan Dunn dominated with 26 points, supported by 21 points from Bradley Beal, while Devin Booker added 18 points. The Suns showcased their three-point shooting prowess, hitting 19 of 47 attempts to build and maintain an insurmountable lead. After trailing early, Phoenix closed the first half on a 21-3 run, maintaining momentum throughout the third quarter to lead by as much as 28 points. San Antonio hinted at a comeback in the fourth but fell short.
On the Spurs’ side, Julian Champagnie led the effort with 23 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili added 19. However, the Spurs struggled defensively after a strong first quarter, allowing Phoenix to dictate the pace and score efficiently.
Looking Forward
Despite disappointing seasons, both teams appear to be building for the future. Phoenix will need to address defensive inefficiencies and ensure better health for their stars. The Spurs aim to capitalize on the development of their young core, especially rookies like Castle, while improving roster depth and defensive consistency.
Prediction
With the Spurs heading into their season finale against Toronto and the Suns facing Sacramento on Sunday, both teams will aim to end the season on a high note. However, this game highlighted Phoenix’s ability to dominate against undermanned squads, thanks to their perimeter shooting and offensive depth. Looking ahead to next year, both teams must address their core weaknesses to contend competitively in the Western Conference.
