MIAMI — The Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat matchup opens a pivotal six-game road trip Tuesday night at Kaseya Center, with Miami guard Norman Powell listed as questionable with lower back soreness, Jan. 13, 2026.
Phoenix arrives having won nine of its last 11 games and riding a three-game streak, while Miami is trying to reset after three straight road losses and a return home.
Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat: why the opener matters
For Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat game is the front end of an 11-day Eastern Conference swing that continues at Detroit, New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Atlanta. A Reuters preview framed the trip as the next step for a Suns team that climbed back into the Western Conference playoff picture after last season’s 36-46 finish sparked a full reset.
The turnaround has been tied to defense and depth. Phoenix has improved to fifth in the NBA in points allowed per game (111.8) after ranking 22nd last season, and it is coming off a 112-93 win over Washington in which six players scored in double figures.
Devin Booker is averaging 25.3 points and 6.4 assists, and Dillon Brooks adds 21.2 points per game. Royce O’Neale said the plan is to “lock in on defense” and keep the ball moving on the road.
Injuries to watch
The Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat injury report is headlined by Powell, Miami’s leading scorer at 23.8 points per game. The NBA’s official injury report lists him as questionable, while Tyler Herro and Pelle Larsson are available and Terry Rozier remains out.
Phoenix listed Jamaree Bouyea (concussion protocol) and Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) as out, and Jordan Goodwin as available while wearing a mask for a jaw sprain.
Heat regroup at home
Miami’s skid includes a 124-112 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday night, when the Heat committed 23 turnovers and played without Powell. Coach Erik Spoelstra said the group needs “mental toughness” when momentum swings, with Miami starting a three-game homestand owning a 13-6 record at home.
With Herro healthy again, Miami’s offense is built around its guard play and a frontcourt anchored by Bam Adebayo and 7-footer Kel’el Ware, who leads the team in rebounds (10.2) and blocks (1.2) while shooting 41.8% from 3-point range.
A matchup shaped by last summer
The Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat meeting also reflects how fast both rosters have changed since July. Phoenix moved Kevin Durant to Houston in a seven-team deal described as the NBA’s largest trade, according to a July 2025 Reuters report.
Miami’s reshuffle included adding Powell from the Clippers, a deal the franchise confirmed in its July 2025 transaction release. If he can’t go Tuesday, shot creation shifts to Herro and Adebayo — and the margin for error shrinks against a Phoenix group that has been getting stops and generating clean looks from the arc.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
