Have you ever questioned whether the Phoenix Suns were truly on the right path? Well, it turns out they absolutely are.
This week commemorates eight months since Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Phoenix Suns, appointed Brian Gregory as the team’s new general manager. The response, both nationally and locally, was predictably mixed. Following a disappointing era marked by the failed ‘Big Three’ strategy, Ishbia’s reputation seemed to plummet, especially with Gregory being a long-time college coach rather than someone seasoned in the NBA.
As the franchise underwent significant changes, Ishbia expressed his vision for creating a team that would make fans proud—a sentiment reminiscent of what a college coach might declare. Meanwhile, Gregory emphasized the necessity of alignment within the organization. This led many observers to question whether the leadership truly understood what they were doing.
However, it turns out they did indeed know what they were up to.
Let’s be clear: the Suns still face substantial challenges ahead—most notably, they won’t have access to their own first-round draft pick for the next seven years. Yet, they have discovered a formula for success within their desert home, which raises the bar for expectations. Simply qualifying for the playoffs is no longer sufficient; this team possesses the potential to achieve much greater things.
The Suns recently triumphed over the Sacramento Kings with a score of 129-102, bringing their record to 20 wins and 14 losses (for context, last season’s squad, which included stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, didn’t hit the 20-win mark until January 16). While the recent schedule has been favorable—Phoenix's last four victories came against some of the league's weaker teams—it's important to note that they’ve also managed to secure two wins against strong opponents like the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers. This isn’t just a stroke of luck.
What’s more critical than their wins, however, is the manner in which they are achieving them. Star guard Jalen Green, a pivotal component of the deal that brought Durant from the Houston Rockets, has unfortunately been sidelined for most of the season due to a right hamstring injury, having played in only five quarters so far. He is expected to be re-evaluated in the coming weeks. Additionally, Grayson Allen, who had an impressive outing with 10 three-pointers contributing 42 points in a November victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, has missed 16 games dealing with various injuries, including recent management of a right knee issue—but he is also anticipated to return soon.
First-time head coach Jordan Ott has adeptly navigated these setbacks by utilizing 15 different lineups, bringing out the best in many players across the roster. In previous seasons with Durant, the Suns leaned heavily on star power to drive their success. In a surprising turn of events, this season they are primarily winning through the contributions of role players who have stepped up.
Before the victory against Sacramento, Ott remarked that the health challenges faced by the team have allowed them to explore the capabilities of various players in differing circumstances, some glamorous and others less so—but each experience is vital.
Defensive specialist Dillon Brooks, whose toughness has become a cornerstone for Phoenix, is currently averaging a career-high 21.4 points per game. "He’s exceeding our expectations in ways we hadn’t anticipated," Ott noted.
Similarly, Allen is also enjoying a career year, averaging 16.3 points. "We’ve uncovered talents in Grayson that we didn’t know existed," Ott stated.
Then there’s Jordan Goodwin, an electrifying 6-foot-3 player who made waves by grabbing 15 rebounds (eight on the offensive end) in a recent loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "I’m curious about that secret ingredient that fuels Goodwin’s rebounding prowess," Ott mused.
Even when he isn’t starting, third-year guard Collin Gillespie has been essential to the second unit, showcasing career-best averages in scoring (14.0), rebounds (4.0), and assists (5.1). In just seven games leading up to Friday, a lineup featuring Gillespie, Goodwin, two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea, second-year forward Ryan Dunn, and second-year center Oso Ighodaro boasted an impressive net rating of 15, according to NBA Advanced Stats.
In the game against Sacramento, Gillespie contributed 15 points. Although he missed a transition three-pointer, he hustled back to secure the rebound and scored. The 6-foot-11 Ighodaro also made an impact with 15 points and six rebounds, while Bouyea, who was signed to a two-way contract shortly before Thanksgiving, showcased his skills with a step-back jumper, finishing with 12 points against the Kings and a plus-minus of +20 in nearly 23 minutes of play.
"Our second unit prides itself on changing the momentum of the game," Ighodaro shared. "We take great pride in our ability to share the ball. We’re finding our identity together."
This sentiment aligns perfectly with Ott’s locker room messages, which the team frequently shares on social media. "Any night, it could be someone new stepping up," Ott commented after a recent away game victory. "That’s the essence of our team."
Incredibly, all of this progress has come while Devin Booker, a four-time All-Star, has not yet reached peak performance. Though he has played well, his shooting statistics have reflected some of the most challenging moments of his career. Heading into Friday’s game, Booker averaged just 1.6 made three-pointers, the lowest since his rookie year, and shot only 29.7 percent from beyond the arc, marking his worst performance over 11 NBA seasons.
Against the Kings, Booker set a strong precedent early on, scoring 20 of his game-high 33 points within the first quarter. Nevertheless, he struggled with his three-point shooting, managing just 1 for 6 from beyond the arc. Yet, surprisingly, this hasn’t impacted the team's success as severely as one might think.
This trend may not hold indefinitely. The Oklahoma City Thunder will visit Phoenix this Sunday, and fans will recall the last encounter between these two teams—a disheartening 49-point loss for the Suns on December 10 in Oklahoma City, exacerbated by Booker’s absence due to a right groin injury. Some nights, sheer determination can carry a team; on others, it can only take them so far.
Nonetheless, the Suns have laid down an impressive foundation for the future. As Green and Allen prepare to make their returns, it’s time to elevate the expectations surrounding this squad.
"Once we have everyone back and healthy, it will be our collective task to determine the best configuration for the group," Ott said regarding potential lineup changes. "But I see this as a pleasant surprise—a positive twist to our journey.
"These players have grown tremendously from summer to the current season. That’s a boon for us, something we couldn’t have predicted, but these injuries will ultimately benefit us by helping us understand our team better."
This development is certainly one that few anticipated.
