The Phoenix Suns had been capable of finish their three-game dropping streak on Thursday evening following their 116-113 win towards Orlando.

The Suns survived a late second-half run by the Magic that noticed Orlando rally from 12 factors down. Nonetheless, a clutch block from Suns wing Josh Okogie on Magic rookie ahead Paolo Banchero’s game-tying 3-point try thwarted Orlando’s hopes of forcing additional time. It additionally had Suns coach Monty Williams relieved that the Suns had been capable of escape with a win after a tricky stretch of video games.

Following the sport, Williams spoke about how essential the win was for his group:

“Within the fourth, our offense type of acquired away from us a bit, however we had been capable of make sufficient performs,” Williams stated.

Williams added that the group might want to take a time without work to loosen up after the worrying end:

“It’s been an emotional week for the blokes, with journey, taking part in in some shut video games, like all week. You can simply really feel it on the blokes. I feel they want a day to only fill their cup somewhat bit, so we will get again to taking part in strong, and with the ability to keep that offensive and defensive manufacturing,” Williams stated.

Phoenix had 5 gamers end with 15-plus factors on Thursday, led by star taking pictures guard Devin Booker. Booker completed with 19, 5 rebounds and two assists on 41.2% taking pictures.

In the meantime, the Magic, had 5 gamers end with 16-plus factors. Orlando was led by level guard Markelle Fultz, who completed with a game-high 25 factors, seven rebounds, 9 assists and two steals on 64.7% taking pictures.

With the win, Phoenix (38-32) stays in sole possession of the fourth seed within the Western Convention. Orlando (28-42, thirteenth within the East) has misplaced two straight video games and 5 of its final six.

What’s subsequent for the Phoenix Suns?

Fortunately for the Phoenix Suns, they’ll have two days off earlier than their subsequent sport on Sunday towards OKC (34-36, tenth within the West).

The Suns have solely 12 video games left this season. Solely 5 of these video games can be towards groups above .500, which bodes nicely for the Suns’ probabilities of clinching a top-four playoff seed.

Phoenix is just one sport forward of the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. (37-33). The Suns are additionally solely three video games forward of the seventh-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. (35-35). If the Suns end seventh, they are going to be in a play-in sport, so each sport can be extra essential sooner or later.

Additionally learn: Kendrick Perkins believes Suns are nonetheless not over Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating them: “Residing rent-free of their heads”