The Phoenix Suns (19-20) play the second of their five-game road trip at the Washington Wizards (6-32) on Thursday.

Kevin Durant made his return to his hometown in the Suns win against the Wizards on Thursday and rejoiced in it.

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant plan to attend Saturday's playoff game between Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

Jan 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

If Nick Richards doesn't help the Suns right the ship this season, they soon may be facing existential questions about the core of their roster.

Much like his fans, Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant is excited for the acquisition of seven-foot center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. “He’s a strong presence in the paint,” Durant told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

The Suns are losing on the margins in a lot of respects. Widen the view season-wide and across all the miscellaneous ways to score, and the Suns find themselves struggling to make up ground even when their offense is clicking.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia received an emphatic Kevin Durant endorsement about his leadership style and quest to win an NBA championship.

Kevin Durant and the Suns got more physical in the third quarter, cutting into the Hawks' lead to make it 89-87. Durant (game-high 27 points) was nearly a perfect 6-of-7 and added both of his steals in the third. Devin Booker has 21 points.

Book has had everything handed to him since James Jones arrived. Promising new rookies. (Josh Jackson, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson). All-time great veterans (Chris Paul, Durant and Beal). New coaches (Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer). The franchise has even upgraded the locker room and practice facility.

James now has 2,591,287 fan votes to Durant’s 2,498,843. The two all-time greats are second and third to three-time NBA MVP, Denver Nuggets big Nikola Jokic, who has 2,924,436 fan votes.

With the Phoenix Suns' latest embarrassing loss, it might be time to have an uncomfortable conversation soon on their long-term direction. What happens next in Phoenix?