7.8 PPG Suns Guard Jordan Goodwin Questionable vs Blazers

The Phoenix Suns were expected to return home Wednesday night with a clean slate, looking to snap a three-game losing streak and open a seven-game homestand at Mortgage Matchup Center with a much-needed victory. Instead, Arizona Sports reported, the Suns will take the court against the Portland Trail Blazers with a significant question mark hovering over their bench, as guard Jordan Goodwin was listed as questionable due to right calf soreness.

Goodwin exited Monday’s 116-113 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter and did not return, managing just four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 10 minutes of action before the injury forced him to the sideline. The guard, who re-signed with the Suns on a three-year deal this offseason, has been a spark plug off the bench this season, averaging 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game through the first five contests. The sources additionally noted that Goodwin has been knocking down 37.5% of his three-point attempts while adding 1.6 steals per game, the kind of energetic two-way production the 1-4 Suns would greatly miss if he is unable to play Wednesday.

Details of the Calf Injury

Suns coach Jordan Ott offered some insight into how the injury occurred after Monday’s defeat.

“I think it was opposite our bench. Whether he was going towards the rim for some reason or he was tagging or whatever. It’s just his right calf,” Ott said.

The injury compounds Phoenix’s depth issues, as forward Rasheer Fleming was also listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain on Tuesday’s NBA injury report, while center Mark Williams remains out indefinitely following left shoulder surgery.

Jordan Goodwin has sustained a calf injury, per Jordan Ott. An MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/CsNP9AdD6H

— https://x.com/PHNX_Suns/status/2025387306899914979

The Search for 48 Minutes

Even with a full complement of players, the Suns have struggled to find consistency through their first five games, though they have shown flashes of potential, including a 17-point lead in the first half against Golden State that they ultimately failed to protect. Speaking after Monday’s loss, Suns star Devin Booker pointed directly at the team’s inability to sustain performance across a full game.

“We have some spots. We’ve been saying it the past few games, we just have to put 48 minutes together,” Booker said.

He elaborated on exactly where the execution has broken down:

“I think the first quarter, early second quarter, we seen some things that worked and then right before halftime, (we) lost it. And then fourth quarter, lost it.”

Miles Bridges, who has been one of the brighter individual performers for Phoenix in recent games, echoed the need for mental sharpness throughout the contest.

“Just playing the full 48 and thinking the game. We’re just going out there and playing. We’ve got to start thinking the game, especially in certain situations,” Bridges said.

Despite the team’s struggles, Bridges expressed cautious optimism about the direction of the squad:

“We made a step in the right direction again, and hopefully we’ll do great on this homestand.”

7.8 PPG Suns Guard Jordan Goodwin Questionable vs Blazers — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Portland Presents a Formidable Test

The Trail Blazers, who own a 5-1 record, handed the Suns a humbling 124-83 defeat in the season opener a couple weeks ago, jumping out to a commanding 21-0 lead before the Suns could find their footing. Portland will also be short-handed Wednesday, with guards Ja Morant (left hamstring strain) and Shaedon Sharpe (right meniscus surgery) remaining out for the Trail Blazers.

Wednesday’s matchup tips off at 7 p.m. MST from Mortgage Matchup Center, with the game available to listeners on 98.7 FM and through the Arizona Sports app. For a Suns team sitting at 1-4 and desperate to establish some rhythm during their seven-game homestand, the availability of Goodwin—and whether he can provide the bench spark that has defined his early season—may determine whether Phoenix can finally stop the slide.