With the highest payroll in the league, the Phoenix Suns entered the season expecting to compete for a championship, instead they find themselves battling just to make the play-in tournament.

The Suns started the season 8-1 but then went on to lose 13 of the next 19 games to put the team at .500. Phoenix hovered around the .500 mark in January before a dismal month of February saw the Suns end the month with a 3-10 record that saw the team fall to 28-32 overall and 11th in the Western Conference.

But season-ending injuries suffered by San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving have helped give the Suns new life despite having the toughest-remaining strength of schedule in the league.

Here’s a look at the Western Conference playoff picture.

Where are Phoenix Suns in the NBA’s Western Conference play-in standings?

Play-in spots

Place Team Record Games Back Last 10 7 Minnesota Timberwolves 39-29 16.5 8-2 8 Los Angeles Clippers 37-30 18 6-4 9 Sacramento Kings 33-33 21.5 5-5 10 Dallas Mavericks 33-35 22.5 2-8 Below play-in

Place Team Record Games Back Last 10 11 Phoenix Suns 31-36 24 4-6 12 San Antonio Spurs 28-38 26.5 4-6 13 Portland Trail Blazers 28-39 27 4-6 Follow @AZSports