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Plenty Left for Suns to Prove in Season's Final Stretch

The Suns’ playoff odds are now as long as Alex Len’s reach. What, then, is left in the last two weeks of the season?

A lot more than towel-throwing.

That was the message from Jeff Hornacek after Phoenix’s 109-97 loss to Oklhaoma City on Sunday. Despite the loss putting Phoenix four games back of a playoff spot (really five due to OKC owning the tie-breaker) with eight games remaining, the Suns’ head coach believes there is more to play for than slim hope.

“I told the guys that mathematically, it's not over," Hornacek said. "We’ll find out what kind of character they have."

Too true. With the majority of pundits putting a fork in Phoenix, there’s a chance to prove something with none of them watching. All but one of the remaining games are against playoff opponents, and most of them are still vying for playoff positioning.

The opportunity is there for the Suns to build something for themselves. The vast majority of the team is 25 years old or younger. Any bad habits diminished or good habits begun will be that much easier to carry over in summer workouts and next season.

“All we can do is go out and try to win games. I told the guys that mathematically, it’s not over. We’ll find out what kind of character they have.”

— Jeff Hornacek

The Suns can now focus on righting an offense gone wrong, a rare occurrence for this team. Since the All-Star break, they’re a bottom-10 offensive team. Shot-making has become a here-and-gone quality, one made easier to bear thanks to a sudden surge on the other end of the floor. If Phoenix can figure out how to combine their winter offense and spring defense, they’d have a blueprint for success next fall.

Remember, over half the roster is newer than this calendar year. Roles have been redefined, and any traction gained with this new team will be a net positive moving forward. Young and upcoming talents like Archie Goodwin and T.J. Warren have just begun to show their potential. How they mesh with more established role players will give the front office a better read on how to approach the draft and free agency.

Speaking of which, the Suns are also hoping to get a longer look at Brandon Knight, who has been limited to just 11 games in a Phoenix uniform since being acquired in mid-February. A restricted free agent this summer, Knight will be equally eager to cement his worth with the franchise after narrowly missing out on the All-Star game earlier this season.

There is also pride factor. Hornacek’s mantra has and always will be “playing hard.”

“Have pride to go out there and try to win that game,” he said. “Worry about what the record is at the end.”

It’s a refreshing look in contrast to constant scrutiny of the “games behind” column. Injuries didn’t help Phoenix in its late-season game of catch-up, but they can discard both those issues in favor of playing freely and with the most basic concept in mind.

Winning.

“You still want to win every game you can play,” Hornacek said.

That’s not a bad start toward the finish line.