The Phoenix Suns have had to bench a starter from earlier in the season, and he's had a strong reaction to the change.

Led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Western Conference's eighth-place Suns have played well in January, winning seven of their last nine, and are 8-4 overall this month. The Clippers are sixth in the West standings, led by veteran stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, plus their top scorer this season Norman Powell.

Jones produced 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-8 3Pt), five rebounds and four assists across 28 minutes during Monday's 111-109 win over the Clippers.

Jones racked up nine points (1-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, 10 assists and three steals over 31 minutes during Thursday's 130-123 victory over Washington.

The Phoenix Suns (22-21) begin their three-game homestand against the lowly Washington Wizards (6-37) on Saturday.

The Phoenix Suns (21-20) play their fourth of a five-game road trip at the Cleveland Cavaliers (35-6) on Monday.

The Phoenix Suns (24-21) had a 111-109 home win against their Pacific Division rival Los Angeles Clippers (26-20) on Monday.

How has former Wizards point guard Tyus Jones fared in his first season ... The Beal experiment feels like it has come and gone in Phoenix, and with the Suns still in contention, Butler's fit ...

Though the strength of schedule over this span hasn’t necessarily been impressive, Phoenix has been better recently, winning nine of its last 13 games. So, as the team continues its pursuit of Jimmy Butler, the Suns (24-22) are moving their way up the standings.

The Phoenix Suns have fallen flat this season ... Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Suns starting point guard Tyus Jones looked ahead to Monday's matchup against the Clippers ...

The Phoenix Suns (23-21) host the Los Angeles Clippers ... Beal not replacing Dunn in Suns starting lineup The Suns are opening with Tyus Jones, Booker, Royce O'Neale, Durant and Nick Richards ...