Phoenix Suns 2024 NBA playoff picture after win over Cleveland Cavaliers (April 3): Updated standings, schedule and more

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-101 at their home court on Wednesday, securing a spot in the playoffs.

The Suns maintained their lead after taking it midway through the first quarter and never fell behind. They expanded their lead to a maximum of 28 points before ultimately securing a 21-point victory.

Devin Booker, the star shooting guard, once again took charge, tallying a game-high of 40 points, eight assists and five 3-pointers while shooting at an impressive 52.0% accuracy.

At the same time, Kevin Durant, his co-star, scored 32 points, had six rebounds, seven assists, and made three 3-pointers on 56.5% shooting, showcasing their powerful and effective combination.

Despite three Cavaliers players scoring 20 or more points, with star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell leading the team with 24 points, their efforts were not enough to secure a win. Phoenix outperformed Cleveland in 3-pointers, making 11 more than them (18-7).

The Suns’ win was their sixth in their last eight games, resulting in them climbing out of play-in contention in the competitive Western Conference standings. Despite this, they still have a difficult road ahead to secure their spot in the playoffs.

With six games left to play, here is a glimpse of where Phoenix currently stands in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Current Standings for the Phoenix Suns in the Playoffs

After defeating Cleveland on Wednesday, the Suns (45-31) moved up from eighth to sixth place in the Western Conference. They are currently tied with the New Orleans Pelicans (45-31) for the seventh seed, but hold the tiebreaker due to their 2-0 record in their regular season matchups.

In addition, the Phoenix Suns hold a 0.5-game lead over the Sacramento Kings, who are currently in eighth place with a record of 44-31. The Suns also have a 1.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in ninth place with a record of 44-33. It is highly unlikely that the Suns will finish lower than ninth place, as they currently have a 3.5-game lead over the Golden State Warriors, who are in tenth place with a record of 41-34.

Phoenix is currently in contention for the fifth seed, with only a 0.5 game difference from the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks (45-30). Additionally, there is a possibility for Phoenix to catch up to the fourth-seeded LA Clippers (47-28), as they are currently trailing by 2.5 games.

Phoenix Suns Playoff Schedule and Potential Opponents

Regrettably for the Suns, their remaining strength of schedule is the most challenging in the NBA, with an average opponent winning percentage of. 638.

Phoenix’s next six games will all be against teams ranked in the top eight of the Western Conference. This includes crucial games against the Pelicans, Clippers (twice), and Kings.

In order to secure their top-six seed, the Suns will probably have to defeat some formidable opponents.

The Crucial X-Factor for the Phoenix Suns’ Playoff Run

Despite recording a 6-2 record in their last eight games, Phoenix continues to heavily rely on the exceptional performances of Booker and Durant. In their most recent game, the dynamic duo scored a remarkable 72 points, bringing their combined average to 55.3 points per game in the past eight games.

During that same period, shooting guard Grayson Allen, who was unable to play in Wednesday’s game due to a hip injury, remains third in scoring with an average of 13.7 points per game. In comparison, star guard Bradley Beal ranks fourth with just 10.3 points per game, while no other player on the team has been able to consistently score in double-figures.

Beal was brought onto the Suns in his first season to help alleviate scoring responsibilities from Booker and Durant. Despite this, his performance has been subpar, with his current scoring average (17.4 ppg) being his lowest since the 2015-16 season.

As the playoffs approach and opposing teams focus on guarding Booker and Durant, Phoenix will likely rely on its supporting players to increase their production.