The Phoenix Suns' play-in tournament journey hit a painful speed bump on Wednesday night. In a heartbreaking home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Suns saw their chance to secure the No. 7 seed slip away in the final moments. The mood was somber post-game, but Head Coach Jordan Ott's message to his team and the media was clear and forward-looking.

"We got to move on," Ott stated, encapsulating the team's immediate mindset in just five words. He elaborated, emphasizing that the ultimate goal remains unchanged: "The goal is get in, just get in any way possible."

The path to the playoffs is now a tougher one. Instead of claiming the seventh spot, the Suns must regroup and win a do-or-die game this Friday night at Footprint Center. Their opponent will be the winner of the clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, with the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the Oklahoma City Thunder on the line.

Reflecting on the loss, Ott pointed to the final possession and a stark disparity in three-point shooting. While Devin Booker made the "right play" leading to a contested look, the Suns' 9-of-25 shooting from deep couldn't keep pace with Portland's 17 made threes. Despite a valiant comeback from 14 points down, those missed opportunities proved costly.

Looking ahead, Ott highlighted one major advantage still in their corner: their home crowd. "Massive," he said of playing at Footprint Center. "You have two shots at this thing. On your home court." The Suns' season now hinges on one game, where resilience and home-court energy will be paramount. For a team built on high-octane offense, Friday night is about channeling the disappointment into a focused, 48-minute performance to keep their championship aspirations alive.