Suns’ Western Conference Standings Revealed: Jalen Green and Starting Lineup Insights

Filmogaz.com brings this week’s Fantable review on the Phoenix Suns. Panelists weighed the club’s playoff position, injuries, and rotations.

Seed projection and standing outlook

Most Fantable members view the Suns as likely to finish the regular season in seventh place. They cite injuries, limited top-end depth, and a tougher remaining schedule.

The team has gone 9-11 since February. The Clippers sit about five games back with few games left.

Views from the Fantable

Diamondhacks called the seventh seed the most probable outcome. He pointed to roster limits versus Western Conference opponents.

Ashton saw the recent stretch as poor and said the seventh seed might be the ceiling. He noted injuries to Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams.

OldAz emphasized the five-game cushion over the Clippers and urged winning the first Play-In game to avoid elimination. Rod described the situation as being locked out of sixth more than locked into seventh.

Jalen Green and availability

Panelists debated where the Suns would sit if Jalen Green stayed healthy. Opinions varied from a couple extra wins to a serious push for a higher seed.

Diamondhacks noted Green’s 2026 advanced metrics, calling them among the team’s weaker marks. Ashton described Green as streaky, with mixed playmaking results.

OldAz suggested Green’s presence might have altered player development. Rod said Green likely would have helped the Suns contend for a higher slot.

Context on performance

The discussion referenced Green’s strong 2024-25 scoring season. It also noted his high missed-shot totals in that campaign.

Starting lineup insights and size concerns

Current starters listed by the group include Gillespie, Booker, Green, O’Neale, and Oso. Brooks and Williams remain sidelined.

Several panelists argued for more frontcourt size. Suggestions included moving Gillespie to the bench and inserting Rasheer Fleming at power forward.

Suggested rotation changes

OldAz favored more size and role adjustments until Brooks returns. Rod recommended starting Fleming at PF and shifting O’Neale to wing.

Some cautioned that Khaman was not yet ready for a full-time starting role. The consensus favored experimenting with lineups to protect against bigger opponents.

Coaching perspective and lineup analysis

Diamondhacks reminded readers that coaching staff use wide evidence-based analysis to set lineups. He urged trust in those internal decisions.

The panel agreed winning the first Play-In game would remove a lot of postseason risk.

Player quotes on team mindset

Devin Booker: “We’ve just got to learn how to win together. Still a first-year group that’s dealt with injuries and not much time to go through these stretches earlier in the season together and figure out what works.”

Haywood Highsmith: “It’s the cost of doing business sometimes when you’re trying to play physical defense, you’re going to get some ticky tack fouls, but got to find that balance and make smart fouls. Just make it as hard as you possibly can without fouling.”

Devin Booker: “Win, lose, or draw, I’m 100% committed to the grind. We all are. We have the right group to continue to get better, and we’ll do that.”

Rasheer Fleming on the Spurs game: “It felt good. I didn’t feel the need to shy away from the ball. If I’m in that situation again, I’ll be ready to shoot them again. I’m not shying away from the ball.”

Historical notes

March 23, 2017: The Suns used the youngest starting five in NBA history. Tyler Ulis was 21, Devin Booker 20, Derrick Jones Jr. 20, Marquese Chriss 19, and Alex Len 23.

Their combined average age was 21 years and 14 days. Phoenix lost 126-98 to Brooklyn that night.

March 24, 2017: Devin Booker scored 70 points in Boston. The Suns fell 130-120, and Booker tied Michael Jordan’s mark for free throws in a half with 20.

March 26, 1996: A.C. Green played his 800th consecutive game while with Phoenix. The Suns beat Sacramento 102-98.

March 29, 1970: Phoenix won its first-ever playoff game on the road. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-101 in Los Angeles during the team’s second season.

Schedule and calendar

• March 21 – Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks, 7:00 pm (NBATV).
• March 22 – Suns vs Toronto Raptors, 6:00 pm.
• March 24 – Suns vs Denver Nuggets, 8:00 pm (Peacock).

• Valley Suns – March 21 vs San Diego Clippers, 7:00 pm.
• Valley Suns – March 24 vs Mexico City Capitanes, 7:00 pm (ESPN+).
• Valley Suns – March 25 vs Mexico City Capitanes, 7:00 pm (ESPN+).

• March 28 – NBA G League regular season ends.
• March 31 – 2026 G League Playoffs begin.
• April 12 – NBA regular season ends for all 30 teams.
• April 13 – Playoff rosters set at 3 p.m. ET.
• April 14–17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
• April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin.

This report combined Fantable perspectives and facts to examine the Suns’ Western Conference standings, Jalen Green availability, and starting lineup insights.