The Phoenix Suns faced off against the San Antonio Spurs on February 20, 2025, falling 120-109 in Austin, Texas. This match came shortly after the All-Star break and was overshadowed by the shocking news of the Spurs' star center Victor Wembanyama being sidelined for the rest of the season due to deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots, in his right shoulder. Despite this loss, the Spurs played confidently, never trailing throughout the game.
De'Aaron Fox was the standout player for San Antonio, scoring 26 points, including 11 consecutive points during the final three minutes of the game. His contributions were pivotal as he also recorded nine rebounds and seven assists, showcasing his all-around game during what should have been a defining moment of despair for the Spurs. Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie added 15 points each, marking significant support for Fox as the Spurs targeted opportunities created by their opponents’ defensive lapses.
On the other side of the court, the Suns struggled to execute. Despite showing early energy, they faced roadblocks, managing only 21 points by the end of the first quarter which set the stage for their eventual defeat. Their inability to translate effort to efficiency against the Spurs demonstrated the mounting pressure on the Suns, who have now lost four straight games and seven of their last eight.
The first quarter illuminated the Suns’ inconsistency; they began with commendable energy yet faltered, shooting only 3-for-14 from the field. This poor shooting compounded their troubles, leading to turnovers which gave the Spurs easy points. Phoenix attempted various strategies to regain control, including shifting to smaller lineups to increase pace and spacing, yet their defensive coordination fell apart. The Spurs capitalized on this chaos, with Fox finding lanes to exploit and scoring with ease.
Despite trailing by as much as 15 points going later than halfway through the fourth quarter, the Suns displayed flashes of resilience. A late 17-4 run narrowed the gap to just three points. Nevertheless, erratic turnovers and defensive breakdowns continuously shifted the momentum back to San Antonio. Fox seized these opportunities; he exploited mismatches, especially against Grayson Allen, to create driving lanes, extending the Spurs' lead when they needed it the most.
The Suns' roster dynamics also became points of contention as the game unfolded. Coach Mike Budenholzer's lineup choices did not seem to resonate well with the performance, leading to frustrations among the team and their fanbase. The recent push from fans to see rookie Ryan Dunn and others prioritized over established veterans reflects the climate surrounding the Suns’ current predicament. Dunn's limited minutes prompted conversations of his potential impact, particularly as he has shown glimpses of being able to contribute positively.
Devin Booker put forth considerable effort yet had one of his worst outings of the season, scoring just 17 points on 4-of-14 shooting, complete with four turnovers. He kept his defensive intensity high, but the stark inconsistency between his offensive output and hustle only added to the Suns' woes. Kevin Durant, returning to Texas, managed to score 22 points but also faced limitations moving forward.
The absence of Wembanyama due to his health issues could have sunk the Spurs’ chances; instead, they rallied. While how this impacts the long-term future is still up for conjecture, the current concern around Wembanyama thankfully appeared to seek resolution as his diagnosis came with promising news of recovery for the next season. Meanwhile, the Suns must re-evaluate their focus going forward with the season dwindling.