ESPN predicts Suns a play-in team again. Blazers suffer key injury


ESPN’s NBA insiders project the Phoenix Suns will finish eighth in the Western Conference in the 2026-27 season with a 42-40 record.

The Suns are lumped into the “play-in” group with the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz.

Advertisement

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes up for a shot under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at Moda Center in Portland on Nov. 18, 2025.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes up for a shot under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at Moda Center in Portland on Nov. 18, 2025.

This prediction may need some tweaking after the news of Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sharpe will miss six months.

The timeline rules him out at least through January and possibly into February, depending on how his rehab goes.

Entering his fifth NBA season, Sharpe averaged a career-high 20.8 points last season in 50 games.

The Blazers could be a sleeper in the West with the emergence of Deni Avdija, the addition of Ja Morant via trade and the return of Damian Lillard, who missed all of last season with a left Achilles injury, but they will miss Sharpe for the majority of the season.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) reacts after making a layup while being fouled by the Phoenix Suns during their play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 14, 2026.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) reacts after making a layup while being fouled by the Phoenix Suns during their play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 14, 2026.

The Suns finished the 2025-26 regular season seventh in the West with a 45-37 record. They lost to the Blazers in the Nos. 7-8 game of the Play-In Tournament, but defeated the Warriors for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Advertisement

No. 1 Oklahoma City swept Phoenix in the first round.

The San Antonio Spurs stand atop ESPN’s Western Conference predictions listed under “the contenders” group with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Thunder.

1 / 10

Scenes from Devin Booker’s all-time great Phoenix Suns career

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots a three-point shot against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) during Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs at Footprint Center on April 17, 2022.

(Michael Chow/The Republic)

The Spurs upset the Thunder in the conference finals last season in reaching the 2026 NBA Finals.

The New York Knicks topped the Spurs in the finals in five games.

ESPN predicts the Knicks (53-29) will win the Eastern Conference followed by the Detroit Pistons (53-29), Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31), Philadelphia 76ers (50-32), Boston Celtics (48-34), Atlanta Hawks (47-35), Miami Heat (47-35), Toronto Raptors (45-37), Indiana Pacers (44-38) and Orlando Magic (44-38) rounding out the conference’s top 10.

Advertisement

The Suns open the 2026-27 season Oct. 21 on the road against the Blazers.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ESPN predicts Suns a play-in team again. Blazers suffer key injury





Source link

  • Related Posts

    Joey Porter landing spots: Possible destinations for disgruntled Steelers CB

    While much of the talk surrounding the Steelers has been backup quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar, the focus on Monday shifted to another player who has been notably absent…

    Premier League highlights: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea

    Cole Palmer scores a goal and provides an assist as Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers also get on the scoresheet to secure Chelsea’s win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. With…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Secretary of State Sarai concludes visit to Lebanon and Jordan and announces funding for international assistance

    Trump bought SpaceX shares two weeks after blockbuster IPO

    Trump bought SpaceX shares two weeks after blockbuster IPO

    Joey Porter landing spots: Possible destinations for disgruntled Steelers CB

    Joey Porter landing spots: Possible destinations for disgruntled Steelers CB

    Nearly 25% of U.S. workers are “functionally unemployed,” economic analysis finds

    Nearly 25% of U.S. workers are “functionally unemployed,” economic analysis finds

    The people of video games on what gives them cause for hope

    The people of video games on what gives them cause for hope

    Nearly 80% of Grocery Shoppers Use Digital Tools Before or During a Trip, Intouch Insight Study Finds