Suns off to historically slow starts over last 2 games

The Phoenix Suns have started their last two games in horrible fashion without the services of their two leading scorers.

Phoenix mustered up a grand total of nine points through the opening 12 minutes Thursday to trail the Portland Trail Blazers by 25 at the end of the first quarter at Moda Center.

The Suns also dropped a measly nine points in the opening frame of Tuesday's 122-105 loss to the Sacramento Kings. As such, they've become the first team in the shot clock era to be held to single-digit scoring in the first quarter of back-to-back outings.

Phoenix converted 4 of 20 shots from the field, with No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton - who came off the bench for the first time in his young career - missing five of his six attempts.

Devin Booker (23.5 points per game) is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while TJ Warren (17.7 points) is out with soreness in his right ankle.

The Suns fell to 4-21 on the season following their 108-86 loss Thursday, seven games back of the next-worst San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference.