The Suns played their first game Monday night without Eric Bledsoe since he tore the meniscus in his left knee and coach Jeff Hornacek said they expect to be without him for about six weeks.
If Monday is any indication, the prognosis for the team’s recovery might not be so grim.
It has been a trying few days for the organization, with Bledsoe’s surgery and Markieff Morris’ return from suspension today, but even a fifth consecutive loss following the firing of two assistant coaches revealed reason for optimism.
LeBron James and the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers downed the Suns 101-97 Monday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena in an effort that was an improvement, especially from a Saturday home loss to 2-31 Philadelphia that prompted the firings of assistant coaches Jerry Sichting and Mike Longabardi.