Suns Now Face Difficult Truth

The Phoenix Suns face an uphill climb to avoid the play-in tournament.

Phoenix Suns v San Antonio Spurs / Ronald Cortes/GettyImages

PHOENIX -- The truth is now apparent.

The Phoenix Suns are heading for the play-in tournament - unless they can string together seven wins in the final 10 games of the season.

The Suns suffered the worst loss of their turbulent season last night against the San Antonio Spurs - and with victories by the Sacramento Kings/Dallas Mavericks they lost grip on the six seed in the West as quickly as it was gained.

The ultimate silver lining for the Suns is the possibility that either the Kings or Mavericks sweep the duology of games against each other this week.

Either way, the Suns need to win AT LEAST one game against the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder to even think about getting back in the running for the sixth spot in the west and escape the play-in tournament.

After the pair of games against the two teams at the top of the standings, the Suns continue to face a gauntlet to conclude the 82-game slate. The schedule as follows:

@ New Orleans Pelicans

Cleveland Cavaliers

Minnesota Timberwolves

Pelicans

Los Angeles Clippers

@ Clippers

@ Sacramento Kings

@ Timberwolves

Yes, the Pelicans are likely to be without star F Brandon Ingram for the pair of games against the Suns. Yes, the Clippers and Kings have somewhat been reeling as of late. Yes the Timberwolves will likely be without star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

But as we saw in the loss to the Spurs, and as evidenced by dropping the season series to those very Spurs - nothing will come easy for this Suns team.

Despite all of the talent, despite a quality head coach, an invested steward of the franchise, a passionate fanbase - this team has ultimately underachieved and the early season struggles seem to be looming larger than anyone imagined just months ago.