PHOENIX — Through six games and 10 days, the most telling image of this young Phoenix Suns season is of the bench, where the organization’s top offseason acquisitions cheer on their teammates in street clothes.
Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks came from the Houston Rockets in the summer Kevin Durant blockbuster trade, a massive move in a much-needed Phoenix reset. So far, the duo has contributed little. The explosive Green has not played because of a right hamstring strain, while the defensive-minded Brooks missed his third consecutive game Friday night with a core muscle issue.
Add in limited minutes from rookie big man Khaman Maluach, the 10th pick of June’s NBA Draft, which was also part of the Durant deal, and it’s not difficult to understand why the Suns (2-4) have struggled through the season’s first month. They gave up one of the league’s best scorers and have yet to see the returns.
Maybe — probably — they’ll struggle anyway. But until everyone sees how Green fits alongside star guard Devin Booker and how Brooks establishes his mark defensively, this team deserves a little time. An encouraging sign: The Suns had their best effort Friday night, defeating the Utah Jazz 118-96 at Mortgage Matchup Center in their first NBA Cup game.
Two nights after Booker missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer that would’ve beaten the Memphis Grizzlies, the Suns led nearly the entire way, holding an opponent under 100 points for the first time. Booker (36 points, nine assists) played his best game, aggressive yet unselfish. Guards Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie combined for 26 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists with one turnover.
“All these are learning experiences for this group,” head coach Jordan Ott said. “We have some veteran players, but we’re also playing a lot of young guys. We just have to keep going. We have to keep growing.”
With the injured Dillon Brooks (standing) and Jalen Green (second from left) watching from the bench Friday, the Suns picked up their second win of the season. (Rob Gray / Imagn Images)
Phoenix broke a four-game losing streak, the most recent two coming by a combined five points.
At the team’s Friday morning shootaround, forward Royce O’Neale said the Suns are learning how one or two possessions can decide outcomes.
“I think it’s just going to be a learning experience throughout the whole season,” O’Neale told the media, adding that the goal is to show improvement every night.
A first-time head coach, Ott is still figuring out what works best for his team and for himself. Unlike many head coaches, who prefer to stay hidden before games, Ott spends time on the bench, watching players warm up. It’s something Ott decided to do over the summer. He wanted to absorb the arena’s energy and use the time to bond with staff and players.
Ott said Friday he also has not completely ironed out his postgame routine. He prefers to wait, gather all the game data and staff reports, read through them and then watch the film with fresh eyes in the morning. However, with all his head-coaching responsibilities, he isn’t sure that it will always be possible.
“Ask me in a couple months,” said Ott, hopeful that perhaps then he would have his routine set.
The Suns are in a similar exploratory mode, trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Still, some problems have been difficult to miss. A top offseason objective was to get better defensively. Even with Brooks (for three games) and rim protector Mark Williams, that has not come close to happening.
Through six games, the Suns rank 22nd in defensive rating. They also have struggled with turnovers, ranking 21st in turnover rate, though they were much better against Utah, committing only nine.
Until Friday night, Booker also had looked out of sorts, lacking the expected urgency and fire.
In Wednesday night’s 114-113 loss to Memphis, Booker shot 1 of 9 in the first half before finding a rhythm in the second. With a chance to win the game in the final seconds, the four-time All-Star pulled up too early and from too deep.
After his 28-foot shot rimmed out, Booker skipped postgame handshakes and walked off the court and through the arena tunnel, head down the entire way. He left without talking to the media, something he rarely does.
Baseline Book!
Turned 29 yesterday. Up to 29 PTS today. pic.twitter.com/0Kvrf39niT
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 1, 2025
After Friday’s win, Booker said responsibility comes with taking the final shot, and it sticks with him when he misses.
“It could be an inch away from being a whole different conversation,” the 11th-year guard said. “I still try to not get too high, not get too low, but I’m definitely bothered with any loss. And I don’t think anybody that’s played this game that’s been good at it, if they say anything otherwise, they’d be lying.”
His aggression against Utah was noticeable. Ott said he thought Booker’s energy set the tone on both ends for Phoenix, which led 37-17 after the first quarter. Booker hit five of his first seven and finished 13 of 23 from the field.
“Looking at the makeup of our team and how people are guarding us, he’s getting blitzed most possessions,” Allen said. “I feel like teams come into the game with this mindset of trying to get the ball out of his hands … and he’s getting 30 without forcing it. He’s getting off the ball and making the right play.”
Once he returns, Green will take pressure off Booker. He can come off screens and attack the rim, which will open up the floor. As he showed in three games, Brooks will add another scorer and a defensive attitude, someone who never shies from a difficult assignment. The two have not played 5-on-5 in practice recently, but that’s more because of Phoenix’s schedule. Ott said Green and Brooks have participated in film sessions and walk-throughs, which could accelerate their returns once they’re ready.
“Hopefully, they’re out there on the court very soon,” he said.
Phoenix needs them.
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