After a rough stretch, the Phoenix Suns have begun to turn things around recently as they have climbed back into a playoff spot. Phoenix started the season 8-1, but they then hit a major rough patch,

Phoenix Suns' starting center Nick Richards had 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in their 119-109 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

The Suns traded Josh Okogie and three future second-round picks Wednesday for Richards and a second-round selection. Wearing No. 2, Richards joined the Suns (20-20) Friday in Detroit and was ready to make his debut Saturday against the Pistons (21-20) at Little Caesars Arena.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Nick Richards continued to make a stellar impression as the Phoenix Suns notched a 119-109 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker says Nick Richards has been doing "great" since the trade with Charlotte on Jan. 15.

Richards - coupled with rookie stud Oso Ighodaro - will inject a very pointed surge of athleticism into the Suns' lineup. Last season Nick Richards had more dunks (120) than Nurkic and Plumlee combined (100) in 1000 fewer minutes.

Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards detailed the shock from playing against the Suns to then becoming a member of the Suns three days later.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal and big Jusuf Nurkic practiced Friday heading into Saturday’s rematch against the Washington Wizards at Footprint Center to begin a three-game homestand. Beal is listed as probable for Saturday's game against his former team after missing Wednesday’s win over Brooklyn with a left ankle sprain to end a five-game road trip.

Phoenix saw major contributions from the megastar duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker - as the pair combined to score 71 points. The ultimate difference between a win and a loss very well could've been thanks to a phenomenal debut from recently acquired C Nick Richards.

The Phoenix Suns couldn’t cover their weaknesses and flaws in Wednesday’s 121-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Footprint Center to end a three-game homestand.

"The Suns are also exploring pairing one of the newly acquired first-round picks with Jusuf Nurkic to acquire a starting-caliber or high-level rotation player on the trade market, league sources told HoopsHype. "Nurkic is owed $18.13 million and has averaged 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in 23.7 minutes this season.

Don’t be surprised to see the Suns rising as the second half of the regular season unfolds. They have all the pieces to be much better than what their current record indicates.