BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics, Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics, and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 13, 2021 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
In the crowded Western Conference rankings, the Phoenix Suns are now 43-31 and ranked sixth. The club in front of them, the Dallas Mavericks, have been on fire and are 9-1 in their past ten games, but they are still 1.5 games from finishing in sixth place and avoiding the play-in round.
The Sacramento Kings are closing in on the Suns, trailing them by only half a game. However, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Malik Monk sprained his MCL in his right knee, while Kevin Huerter sustained a season-ending injury tore the labrum in his left shoulder, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Isaiah Thomas has signed a second 10-day deal with the Suns as Phoenix, who have eight games remaining in the regular season, looks to at least keep homecourt advantage against the eighth seed in the play-in round.
During his second tenure in the desert, the former star of the Boston Celtics has played in two games. He participated in the final 7:34 of Friday’s 128-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring five points on 2/4 shooting and throwing out one assist.
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