Suns Now Control Their Own Destiny

The Phoenix Suns have just over a week to solidify their standing in the West.

Apr 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Cleveland / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns are 45-31 following a resounding victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night - the Suns now control their own destiny as a result.

Phoenix now is possibly even within striking distance of hosting a first-round series with just seven games remaining, but they still certainly have work to do to make that a reality.

Entering Thursday's action, the Suns hold the No. 6 seed.

Let's take a look at the teams in the general vicinity of the Suns - squads seeded 4-9 in that respective order:

No. 4 Seed: Los Angeles Clippers - 2.5 Games Ahead of Phoenix

The Clippers will be an uphill climb for the Suns to supplant - namely due the the Clippers having a tiebreaker advantage even if Phoenix wins both matchups next week.

However, if the Suns do manage to defeat the Clippers twice, it is very possible that anything can happen in the final handful of matchups with a game or less separating the two teams.

Clippers remaining schedule:

Vs. Denver Nuggets

Vs. Utah Jazz

Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

@ Suns

Vs. Suns

Vs. Jazz

@ Houston Rockets

No. 5 Seed: Dallas Mavericks - 0.5 Games Ahead of Phoenix

Dallas is effectively one game ahead of the Suns due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Suns theoretically have a shot to usurp Dallas in the standings, but the Mavericks have only lost two games since March 7.

Mavericks Remaining Schedule:

Vs. Atlanta Hawks

Vs. Golden State Warriors

Vs. Rockets

@ Charlotte Hornets

@ Miami Heat

Vs. Detroit Pistons

@ OKC Thunder

No. 7 Seed: New Orleans Pelicans - Tied With Phoenix

The Pelicans went from appearing to be a shoe-in to finish in the top-six in the West to fighting to avoid having to play their way into the postseason for the third straight season.

The Pelicans almost certainly need to defeat Phoenix in the upcoming matchup on Sunday to ultimately avoid that fate.

Pelicans Remaining Schedule:

Vs. San Antonio Spurs

@ Suns

@ Portland Trail Blazers

@ Sacramento Kings

@ Warriors

Vs Los Angeles Lakers

No. 8 Seed: Sacramento Kings - 0.5 Games Back of Phoenix

The Kings have found a way to stay afloat despite losing both Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk in recent weeks.

Game 81 of the season against the Suns could ultimately be what decides the Kings' fate in the standings this season.

Kings Remaining Schedule:

@ New York Knicks

@ Boston Celtics

@ Brooklyn Nets

@ Thunder

Vs. Pelicans

Vs. Suns

Vs. Trail Blazers

No. 9 Seed: Los Angeles Lakers - 1.5 Games Back of Phoenix

The Lakers are a team to closely monitor - they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Phoenix and have a couple of potential easy victories along the way.

Lakers Remaining Schedule:

Vs. Cavaliers

Vs. Timberwolves

Vs. Warriors

@ Memphis Grizzlies

@ Pelicans

The Bottom Line

Phoenix is right in the middle of a glut of quality teams that are fighting to avoid a play-in scenario - but the Suns ultimately control their own destiny over the last week-plus. 48 or 49 wins should suffice to attain the six seed.