This week marked eight months since Phoenix Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia promoted Brian Gregory because the group’s new normal supervisor. The response, nationally and domestically, was about what you’ll anticipate. Coming off the failed “Huge Three” period, Ishbia’s popularity was in free fall, and Gregory was a school lifer with restricted NBA expertise.
Because the group shifted, Ishbia mentioned assembling a workforce that performed in a manner that might make followers proud, which sounded extra like one thing a school coach may say. Gregory preached the significance of alignment. It was straightforward to wonder if anybody right here knew what the heck they have been doing.
Seems, they did.
Don’t misunderstand. The Suns nonetheless have important hurdles — they don’t management their very own first-round draft decide for the subsequent seven years — however they’ve discovered one thing that works within the desert. And which means expectations ought to change. Merely making the postseason is now not sufficient. This workforce has better potential.
Phoenix beat the Sacramento Kings 129-102 on Friday, enhancing to 20-14 (final season’s workforce that included Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal didn’t attain 20 wins till Jan. 16). The latest schedule has helped — Phoenix’s final 4 wins have come towards opponents on the backside of the standings — however the Suns additionally personal two wins apiece towards the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. They’re not a fluke.
Nonetheless, it’s not a lot what they’ve finished, it’s how they’ve finished it. Explosive guard Jalen Inexperienced, a key a part of the Durant commerce with the Houston Rockets, has missed all however 5 quarters due to a proper hamstring harm (he needs to be re-evaluated within the subsequent week or two). As well as, guard Grayson Allen, who hit 10 3-pointers for 42 factors in a November win towards the New Orleans Pelicans, has missed 16 video games for a number of points, most just lately proper knee harm administration. He’s anticipated again quickly.
First-time head coach Jordan Ott has compensated with 15 lineups and a contact that has introduced out the very best in most everybody on the roster. With Durant, the Suns tried to win with star energy. In a outstanding twist, the Suns this season are primarily profitable with (expanded) function gamers.
Earlier than Friday’s win, Ott stated Phoenix’s well being points have supplied time to see what others can do in numerous conditions, some glamorous, some not. All vital.
Defensive menace Dillon Brooks, whose toughness has fueled Phoenix, is averaging a career-best 21.4 factors.
“He can do greater than we even anticipated,” Ott stated.
Similar with Allen, who’s averaging a career-best 16.3.
“We discovered that Grayson can do greater than we even anticipated,” Ott stated.
And Jordan Goodwin, a 6-foot-3 energizer who collected 15 rebounds (eight offensive) in Wednesday’s loss on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I’d like to know that secret sauce,” Ott stated of Goodwin’s rebounding vitality.
When he’s not beginning, and a few nights even when he’s, third-year guard Collin Gillespie, who’s averaging profession bests in scoring (14.0), rebounds (4.0) and assists (5.1), anchors a second unit that has turn into the Suns’ superpower.
In seven video games getting into Friday, a lineup of Gillespie, Goodwin, two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea, second-year ahead Ryan Dunn and second-year middle Oso Ighodaro had a 15 internet score, per NBA Superior Stats.
In opposition to Sacramento, Gillespie (15 factors) missed a transition 3, however he chased down the rebound and scored. The 6-11 Ighodaro (15 factors, six rebounds) penetrated and dunked. Bouyea, signed to a two-way deal every week earlier than Thanksgiving, hit a step-back jumper. The College of San Francisco product had 12 factors towards Sacramento and was plus-20 in almost 23 minutes.
Bouyea Buckets 🪣 pic.twitter.com/GtpOiTW1gs
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 3, 2026
“The second unit, we take lots of satisfaction in coming in and altering the sport,” Ighodaro stated. “We take lots of satisfaction in sharing the ball. We’ve type of discovered our id.”
This goes together with Ott’s postgame messaging within the locker room, which the Suns usually put up on social media.
“Any evening it’s going to be another person,” Ott stated after a latest highway win. “That’s what we’re about.”
Remarkably, this has all come whereas Devin Booker has not been at his finest. The four-time All-Star has performed effectively, however his capturing numbers have been among the many worst of his profession.
Getting into Friday, Booker had averaged 1.6 made 3-pointers (fewest since his rookie season) and shot 29.7 % from past the arc (worst over his 11 NBA seasons).
In opposition to the Kings, Booker set an early tone, scoring 20 of his game-high 33 factors within the first quarter. Nonetheless, he nonetheless struggled, making simply 1 of 6 3-point makes an attempt. And but it hasn’t mattered as a lot as you may anticipate.
This gained’t at all times be the case. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder go to Phoenix on Sunday. The final time the Suns confronted the Thunder — Dec. 10 in Oklahoma — they have been embarrassed, shedding by 49. (Not having Booker, out with a proper groin harm, didn’t assist.) Some nights, scrappiness makes a distinction; others, it takes you solely thus far.
Nonetheless, the Suns have constructed a pleasant basis. And with Inexperienced and Allen quickly to return, it’s time to lift expectations.
“After we get everybody again and wholesome, that’s going to be our job to collectively work out what’s finest for the group,” Ott stated of how the lineup may change. “However I take it as nearly like a pleasing shock, a constructive spin to all of it.
“These guys have improved. From the summer time into the season. That’s good for us. That’s one thing you may’t fairly anticipate, however the accidents are going to assist us ultimately by studying these guys somewhat bit extra.”
It’s a growth few noticed coming.
