Raptors Look to Capitalize on Struggling Suns

Toronto visits Phoenix as the Suns aim to end a five-game losing skid.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:20pm

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The Toronto Raptors are continuing their road trip out west as they take on the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. The Suns are currently on a five-game losing streak with multiple key contributors out, and the team has struggled with rest and injuries. Jalen Green's play will be crucial to complement Devin Booker, while the Suns' three-point shooting has been a weakness during this losing streak. The Raptors are seen as the favorites in this matchup as the Suns deal with their current issues.

Why it matters

This game is an important one for both teams as they jockey for position in the Western Conference playoff race. The struggling Suns are trying to avoid falling out of the playoff picture entirely, while the Raptors look to capitalize on Phoenix's recent woes and pick up a key road win.

The details

The Suns have lost five straight games, with each defeat coming by eight points or less. They've been hampered by injuries to key players and are dealing with rest and fatigue issues after a recent six-game road trip. The Raptors' offense will need to be led by the Jalen Green-Devin Booker duo, as Phoenix has lacked scoring options beyond those two. The Suns' typically strong three-point shooting has also been a weakness during this losing streak, an area the Raptors will look to exploit.

  • The Raptors and Suns will face off on March 22, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
  • The Suns are currently on a five-game losing streak that began on March 12, 2026.

The players

Jalen Green

The Suns' young star guard who will need to play well to complement Devin Booker and provide scoring punch for Phoenix.

Devin Booker

The Suns' leading scorer and one of the NBA's premier offensive talents, who will be relied upon heavily with Phoenix dealing with injuries and a slump.

Toronto Raptors

The visiting team looking to capitalize on the Suns' recent struggles and pick up a key road win as they continue their Western Conference road trip.

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What they’re saying

“Sliding, to say the least. Phoenix is currently on a five-game losing streak with multiple key contributors out. Perhaps the worst, or most promising aspect depending on how you view it, is they've all been close games. Each loss has been by eight points or less.”

— Donnie Druin, Phoenix Suns On SI publisher

“Jalen Green, for sure. Phoenix has a cast of solid role players but their offense will only be as good as the Green/Booker tandem takes them. When Green is scoring and playing well to complement Booker, things just feel easier for the Suns. When Green is off, there's not a strong scoring option after Booker which only complicates things on their end.”

— Donnie Druin, Phoenix Suns On SI publisher

“Strong three-point shooting. A previous strength of this team has now turned into a weakness as of late and it feels like the Suns have really struggled from deep. While Phoenix isn't heavily reliant on the three-ball, they've been poor in that department during this losing streak, and if they're able to get back on track, perhaps winning the math game can save them.”

— Donnie Druin, Phoenix Suns On SI publisher

What’s next

The Raptors and Suns will face off again on March 24, 2026 in the second game of their back-to-back set.

The takeaway

This game represents an opportunity for the Raptors to capitalize on the Suns' recent struggles and pick up a crucial road win as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Meanwhile, the Suns will need to find a way to end their five-game skid and get their season back on track, with the play-in tournament looming as a real possibility if they can't turn things around soon.