Frank Vogel believes Phoenix Suns 'are going to be dominant' despite record, worst loss of season
LOS ANGELES – Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel remains positive through a 1-3 stretch in which they’re coming off their worst loss of the season Monday following a fourth-quarter home flop Sunday versus a sub-.500 team without their best player.
“I've been on teams where I didn't believe we were going to get it," Vogel said after Wednesday’s practice at UCLA. “… "I believe we are going to be dominant and we are going to get it and it’s going to come. I have a strong belief in that.”
The Suns were gutted by the Clippers, 138-111, in Los Angeles in the second of a back-to-back that began with a 121-115 defeat to the Grizzlies, who outscored them 35-18, in the fourth quarter.
The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, who will have offseason surgery on his shoulder.
"I've been on teams where I didn't believe we were going to get it."
Frank Vogel on staying positive as #Suns are 19-18, ninth in West and coming off worst loss of the season, 138-111, Monday at #Clippers.
"I believe we are going to be dominant and we are going to get it." pic.twitter.com/Z20wr8oYpg— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 10, 2024
“No fun losing,” Vogel continued. “Tough games. We’ve been blown out in the fourth quarter, losing the lead. No fun. A lot of suffering that goes into it for a head coach, but you look at what we have. I’ve got much belief in this group. I’m confident in this group. I’m enjoying the challenge.”
Eighth in the West, Phoenix (19-18) will now look to regroup for Thursday’s road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers (19-19).
“Clean things up,” Suns star guard Devin Booker said. “We had a off day (Tuesday). Time to sit with it and come into the gym today and talk through things and just put it in the past. Move forward.”
The Lakers are 3-0 against the Suns this season, winning by a combined 11 points in all of those games.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Suns superstar Kevin Durant said. “It’s been a challenge every game. I feel like we’ve been right there every game.”
This fourth matchup with the Lakers will be the first Phoenix has its Big 3 of Booker, Durant and Bradley Beal.
The Suns are 2-4 when those three have been on the floor together, losing the last two times to the Grizzlies (14-23) and Clippers (23-13).
“We’re still figuring it out, but we’ve got to do it a little bit faster,” Beal said after Monday’s loss.
The Suns will be healthy for the first time this season outside of Damion Lee, who hasn’t played all season after having knee surgery Oct. 11 following an on-court workout.
Vogel said Nassir Little (knee), Bol Bol (ankle) and Udoka Azubuike (illness) are back after they all missed Monday’s game.
“We’ve had the bulk of our main rotation healthy for a couple of games now,” Vogel said. “Bol had picked up some momentum with positive three games. We’re excited to get him back in there.”
Bol had hardly played before going for 11 points and nine rebounds in a Jan. 1 win over the Blazers.
He followed that up with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting (2-of-2 on 3s) in a Jan. 3 loss to the Clippers and was 2-of-2 Jan. 5 against the Heat in a home victory before going down with an ankle injury on a made shot.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Frank Vogel says Phoenix Suns 'are going to be dominant' despite record
