News Suns Team Notes

[Phoenix Suns]

Grayson Allen’s historic night fuels another Suns win

10 three-pointers in one game. TEN.

It’s a feat that no Phoenix Sun has been able to touch until Monday, November 10th, 2025.

Rex Chapman. Quentin Richardson. Channing Frye. Aron Baynes. Landry Shamet. Cam Johnson. Grayson Allen (three times). The list of snipers who racked up nine 3’s, but fell one short of double-digits in their respective career nights. Allen did it three times (four if you count when he was sitting on 9 last night) before finally breaking through.

The Suns' franchise record for 3 pointers made in a game is 9, set by 7 different players.

Grayson Allen (4x), Channing Frye, Aron Baynes, Landry Shamet, Cam Johnson, Quentin Richardson, and Rex Chapman.

Grayson Allen has 9 through the opening 3 quarters.

— Zona (@AZSportsZone) November 11, 2025

Not only did Allen drain 10 triples, but he dropped a career-high 42 points in the process. Grayson scored 30 points from three (10-15), 8 points from the charity stripe (8-10), and 4 points from two-point field goals (2-2).

His ability to attack downhill has been a major reason for his (and the team’s) offensive success with him on the court. Allen is not one-dimensional. If you close out too hard, he can attack off the dribble and finish himself or whip it to the open man for a high-quality shot.

What a stretch by Grayson Allen. He's been incredible as a driver to begin this season

Love this guard-guard action with Gillespie to get Allen the ball to attack middle pic.twitter.com/vOLS6qU6QW

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 11, 2025

Along with the lights-out shooting and ability to attack off the dribble, he can also relocate after kicking it out. This is an underrated and important skill that rewards shooters if done properly. That requires teammates to look for him, and boy, have these Suns shared the ball early on this season. The ball is zipping, credit to Jordan Ott and his squad for buying in.

Allen is shooting 46-of-103 (44.7%) from deep this season in 11 games. He is leading the NBA in three pointers made while shooting it super efficiently in the process. You read that right. He leads the ENTIRE NBA in threes made.

The Duke product is averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.

The crowd gave him a thunderous applause, chanting “MVP! MVP! MVP!” They even chanted his name and gave him a standing ovation as he checked out. These are the nights every basketball player dreams of, especially if you are a role player.

His teammates showed him love on the bench, getting super into his success, continuing to confirm the good vibes we heard all about this entire offseason were not manufactured blabber. It is real. There is something developing here, and it’s fun to watch it unfold.

Even Devin Booker came away impressed, showing Allen some love on social media after the game as well as this quote below.

Devin Booker on Allen using his shooting to open up the rest of his game:

“Yeah, it’s tough to guard. You saw a glimpse of it tonight. You try to close out to him, and he can drive the next action, finish at the rim, and still make plays. Definitely not a one-dimensional player. But everything opens up with the clip that he has.”

Allen, even before last night’s game, has been a crucial piece to this offense and a steady “unsung hero,” as I mentioned in my last piece. I think the unsung part is untrue after this one. And you love to see it.

.@Amanda_Pflugrad asks Grayson Allen on the fans here: "I absolutely love Phoenix, and I love the fans here… I'll never, never, ever, ever take that for granted. I'm so grateful for all the support I get here." pic.twitter.com/pyKGamCdLL

— Cage (@ridiculouscage) November 11, 2025

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-high-record-breaking-performance-vs-pelicans

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The Suns are stacking wins and leverage at the same time

Things feel pretty damn good in Phoenix right now. The team’s 6–5, winners of five of their last six, and playing like they actually believe in what they’re building. They’re exceeding the expectations we swore we didn’t have, the kind we buried under layers of skepticism.

What we’re seeing is the early foundation of the culture Mat Ishbia and Brian Gregory swore they’d bring to the Valley. Jordan Ott’s fingerprints are all over it, too. The rookie head coach has them organized, disciplined, and loose all at once. They look good, they play good, and the vibe around this team finally feels good again.

And how can you not feel good about it?

You’re watching career-level stuff from Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale. The latter two are both in the top five in threes made this season. Grayson just shattered the franchise record with 10 triples on his way to 42 points in a 23-point win. That’s not hot shooting, that’s a flamethrower in human form.

So yes, life feels good right now. And what’s happening might be the best possible version of the Suns’ timeline, both for today and tomorrow.

Because remember, these same two guys — Allen and O’Neale — were the ones everyone wanted to ship out over the summer. Their names were in every hypothetical trade thread, the classic “salary match” pieces meant to grease the wheels for something bigger. The irony? Those supposedly expendable contracts are turning into some of the best value deals in basketball. Teams balked at their term lengths and shrugged off their upside. Now they’re watching two of the most reliable, floor-spacing, culture-boosting wings in the league light it up in the desert.

The Suns were the ones making the calls this past summer, seeing if anyone wanted Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale. Now? The phones might start ringing in the other direction.

Every team wants shooting. It’s basketball’s version of gold. That’s why the idea of sending Allen to a team like the Magic made sense this past summer. Orlando has all the defense in the world, but they couldn’t hit water from a boat last season. Now, with Allen and O’Neale both lighting it up from deep, their value is spiking fast.

And yeah, I get it. Nobody wants to think about trading either of these guys right now. Not when the vibes are this good. But front offices have to think in two timelines: the now and the next. The Suns don’t need to move either player. Both are locked up through 2028, both are producing, both fit. Still, what they’re doing now. They’re raising eyebrows, setting records, shooting the lights out. It is exactly what drives up value.

If you’re playing the long game, you’ve got to keep that in mind. The better they play, the higher the return if a deal ever comes. That’s how sustainable success is built.

We’ve seen this movie before in Phoenix. Usually, the organization isn’t in the driver’s seat when it comes to trades. The asset’s either too banged up, too disgruntled, or too diminished to hold real value on the open market. In the case of Allen and O’Neale, it was more about timing. Both had a defined skill set, but they also had three years left on their deals. Not many teams were lining up to take on that kind of commitment.

But as the season rolls on and the trade deadline creeps closer, those contracts start to look better. By February, any team acquiring them would only have two and a half years left, and if you’re a playoff team desperate for shooting, both Allen and O’Neale start looking a lot more appealing.

That’s what makes this stretch so ideal for the Suns. They’re winning games, they’re competitive, and they’re doing it in a way that validates the front office’s plan. Short term, the team looks strong. Long term, they’re quietly building leverage. Every made three, every gritty possession, every efficient night adds value.

Time will tell if this hot shooting holds, but if the Suns keep stacking wins with Allen and O’Neale leading the charge, it’s a win-win. The team thrives now, and the future gets a little brighter with every splash from deep.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...rade-value-rising-nba-wing-depth-team-culture

 

[Phoenix Suns]

A defining moment, an inevitable separation?

As usual at night, I was scrolling through Twitter, wandering between the countless performances of the day. And right there, among Cade Cunningham’s 31 missed shots, Victor Wembanyama’s out-of-this-world game, and Andrew Wiggins’ surprising game-winner, one tweet caught my eye:

Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale are playing themselves into a really nice trade packages for the Phoenix Suns if they decide to go that route and restock on draft capital.

It would hurt to trade them but they could be the Suns ticket out of “no man’s land”.

— Benjamin Garcia (@BenGarciaShow) November 11, 2025

Well, I’m lying a bit. I first scrolled past it without reading it fully, without really paying attention, without realizing the weight this tweet could carry for the franchise in a few months.

Then I saw it again in a fan group. This time I stopped, read it, checked the author’s account, thought for about ten seconds, and told myself, “No way, that’s not happening. They’re staying, especially after everything they’ve given here.”

Then I went full pessimist, arguing against the idea in that same group. I mean, why would you trade them? One just dropped his career-high and a franchise record, while the other might be the soul, the heartbeat of our team. They’re both glue guys. Team-first players who’ll fight no matter their role, usage, or position. For a transition phase, they’re perfect, aren’t they?

But then I took a second, longer, more rational look. And I realized that maybe, for the good of the franchise, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Royce O’Neale is that kind of player who doesn’t make noise but holds a team together. He’s a respected, do-it-all veteran wing, a reliable connector who’s played on some of the league’s most exciting and competitive teams (the Jazz of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, or the Nets with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden).

Grayson Allen, on the other hand, has learned to channel his fire and become much more than just a shooter. He got to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, but it’s really here that he’s grown, rebuilt his reputation. He can handle the ball, dribble, pass, drive, and defend across.

Both players also have very appealing contracts: around $30 million over three years for Royce O’Neale, and about $55 million over three years for Grayson Allen, with a player option in the final season. I only see two potential roadblocks: their age (both over 30) and the risk of a performance dip later in the season, which could lower their trade value.

But beyond that, they’re really good players, guys who could fit perfectly on any team with real ambitions. They still hold a lot of value, and since we need picks, assets to rebuild our bag, shouldn’t we take advantage of it?

We get attached to players like this. The quiet ones, the ones who don’t steal the spotlight but give meaning to everything around them. They don’t make the headlines, but without them, victories wouldn’t taste the same. O’Neale and Allen belong to that rare category: players of duty, connection, and cohesion.

And if that departure ever happens, we shouldn’t see it as a breakup, but as the natural continuation of a story bigger than any name. Because in the end, every team is just a passage, every player an imprint. And some, like theirs, never truly fade away.

So what about you? How do you see it?

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/92468/a-defining-moment-an-inevitable-separation

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Game Recap: Suns hold off Mavs late, win 4th straight 123-114

The Phoenix Suns grab a close game victory over the Dallas Mavericks, 123-114.

After Nico Harrison was let go just a day earlier, the Suns arrived Wednesday night prepared for a Mavericks team with nothing to lose, one trying to win back its fans and salvage its season.

Following a quick 10-4 start by Dallas, the Mavericks failed to capitalize on open threes and couldn’t keep the crowd engaged. The Suns, led by Devin Booker and, you guessed it, Jordan Goodwin, combined for 29 first-half points and never looked back.

The theme of the season for Phoenix has been hustle and resilience, and they delivered again: nine forced turnovers and 14 points off those turnovers in the third quarter sealed the momentum.

The Suns struggled to find a clean shot in the fourth quarter and stumbled to find their footing. With a last-minute burst by the Mavericks, giving it all they had to bring this game to overtime. But in the end, the Suns did just enough to take the victory.

Game Flow​

First Half​

Playing to their strength with size under the basket, the Mavericks jumped out to an 18-10 lead with 14 points in the paint. Mark Williams of the Suns had his hands full with both Daniel Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington. After giving up four offensive rebounds in the first six minutes, the Mavericks came out with energy, but the Suns maintained a steady offense led by Booker to keep the game within reach.

Flagg came out strong defensively and scored a bucket, but exited in the first quarter with a shoulder issue. He headed to the locker room, then returned with four minutes left in the period.

Coop comin' through pic.twitter.com/AXFAmAPt8r

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 13, 2025

Booker became the Suns’ offense early, cooking Max Christie possession after possession. With Williams struggling to hold his end on the boards, he still managed to contribute six points to go along with Booker’s seven.

Book bucket plus one pic.twitter.com/HM5pWxhJQ8

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 13, 2025

Fighting their way back from down 10, the Suns escaped a few open threes from the Mavericks, who shot just 3-for-14 in the first quarter despite getting good looks.

Heading into the second quarter, the Suns took the lead on a Collin Gillespie three, going up 30-28.

Jordan Goodwin led the bench with 13 points early in the second quarter. After hitting back-to-back threes to open the period, the Suns held a 36-32 lead at the 10:15 mark, though the Mavericks were slowly chipping away.

Jordan Goodwin 5-5 needs to be tested for PEDs. pic.twitter.com/uAPNThq446

— Gabe Guerrero (@GabeGuerrero03) November 13, 2025

The Suns looked like they might start to pull away after hitting four quick threes, but the Mavericks continued to push the pace, get to the rim, and answer from deep. Klay Thompson, now coming off the bench for Dallas, knocked down a few threes of his own, trying to light a fire under his team to swing the momentum.

It worked, as the Mavericks stayed close with the Suns midway through the second quarter.

Becoming scrappy on the defensive end to end the second quarter, the Suns were led by Goodwin on offense and defense, harassing Flagg and the Mavericks.

Heading into halftime with a 63-53 lead, the Suns limited the Mavericks’ second-chance points, and Booker continued his sweet stroke, leading Phoenix with 16 points.

Second Half​

Second-half recaps last season were filled with lazy plays and a team that often looked like it was giving up. This season is different. Like Wednesday against the Mavericks, the hustle never stopped, and the wide-open shots created by constant ball movement kept coming.

But it wasn’t over.

The Mavericks continued to double Booker and force other players to beat them. An energetic Flagg was responsible for several forced turnovers, creating wide-open looks for the Suns on the other end. After cutting the lead to 12, the Mavericks couldn’t get it to single digits, as Grayson Allen attacked the rim repeatedly, pushing the lead back up to 18 in a flash.

What can't Grayson Allen do? pic.twitter.com/frSb6OMS1W

— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) November 13, 2025

The ten points off turnovers by the Suns carried them through the third quarter. The Mavericks did all they could to cut into the lead, but their own mistakes kept turning into easy Phoenix baskets.

Ryan Dunn found gaps in the defense to close out the quarter and take pressure off Booker. A couple of easy dunks kept the momentum firmly with the Suns heading into the final period.

Dunn is everywhere pic.twitter.com/0IQmZPGIL8

— Cage (@ridiculouscage) November 13, 2025

With every made shot, the Mavericks seemed to believe they were one run away from cutting the lead to single digits — but Grayson Allen shut the door immediately, drilling two straight threes to open the fourth and pushing the lead back to 16, forcing a quick Dallas timeout.

Once again, turnovers and self-inflicted mistakes halted any potential Mavericks run. Every time they looked ready to climb back into it, they shot themselves in the foot, and the game slipped further out of reach with seven minutes left.

In a last-minute scramble, the Mavericks cut the lead to as close as a four-point lead with around 2:30 minutes left in the game, but the Suns could not hit a shot, with the Mavericks making every play but still missing open shots and stepping out of bounds on multiple possessions.

Suns held on to take the victory over the Mavericks,123-114.

---

Up Next​

Phoenix plays again tomorrow night, this time at home against the 1-10 Pacers.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...win-allen-shine-hustle-turnovers-seal-victory

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Game Preview: The Valley threads return as Phoenix looks to keep rolling

Who: Phoenix Suns (5-5) vs. Indiana Pacers (1-10)

When: 7:00pm Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV

Listen: KMVP 98.7, KSUN

---

It’s the return of The Valley City Edition uniforms, that bold white font set against a pixelated sunset glow that once lit up the league. Thursday night, under the lights at home against the Indiana Pacers, it’s back. One of the most popular City Edition uniforms in the NBA, a modern relic from the season when belief and energy collided, when the Suns caught the world off guard and crashed the Finals party.

When you think of The Valley, you think of that 2020-21 team. Young, confident, overachieving, and hungry in a way you could feel through the screen. They weren’t supposed to be there, but they were. And those jerseys? They became the armor for a movement.

A thing of beauty! See ya Tonight @suns Sickos Tonight We ride on The Valley floor! #SunsUp https://t.co/xRfKrHHh0v

— Kevin Ray (@kray1voice) November 13, 2025

Fast-forward to now, and there’s a similar hum in the air.

Through 12 games, this year’s team sits at 7-5, scrappy and stubborn, exceeding expectations before anyone even decided what those expectations were. The national media doesn’t know what to make of them yet, but that’s fine. They’re annoying in the best way. They hang around. They punch back. They remind you of that 2020–21 team that wore these same threads for the first time and made people believe in something again.

So Thursday night, as the Eastern Conference champs roll into town, there’s poetry in the air. The Pacers are limping through injuries, trying to hold themselves together after falling short in last year’s Finals. The Suns have no reason to show mercy. It’s another test, another chance to prove that attitude still matters in this league.

The jerseys are back. The vibe is back. And if history has any rhythm, the spark that once set this city on fire might flicker again.

Probable Starters​

Injury Report​

Suns​

• Jalen Green — OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
• Mark Williams — OUT (Right Knee Return from Injury Management)

Pacers​

• Johnny Furphy — OUT (Left Ankle Sprain)
• Tyrese Haliburton— OUT (Right Achilles Tendon)
• Quentin Jackson — OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
• Bennedict Mathurin — OUT (Right Great Toe)
• Obi Toppin — OUT (Right Foot Stress Fracture)

What to Watch For​

It’s been a year from hell for the Indiana Pacers. You don’t even need to dig deep. Just look at the injury report. It reads like a casualty list from a team that made a deep Finals run. Key contributors are banged up, sidelined, or playing through pain.

For a team that thrives on pace, sitting ninth in the league in tempo, they’ve been sputtering where it counts most. Dead last in three-point shooting. Dead last in dunks. That’s right, on consecutive nights the Suns are facing another team that can’t shoot from deep and is being held together by tape and hope.

So the question tonight isn’t about who the Pacers are. It’s about how the Suns respond.

It’s the second night of a back-to-back, and those can test even the deepest teams. But this group is younger, fresher, built to handle this kind of grind in a way previous Suns squads weren’t.

How will Jordan Ott manage his rotations? Can they jump out early and control the game? Maybe we see the rookies get some meaningful minutes if things go well. And yes, Mark Williams is out. So I assume that Oso will get the start to ensure Nick Richards stays in his current rotational pattern. But if there were ever a night to see some Maluach…

Key to a Suns Win​

I come back to the battle cry from Monday night: don’t let the wounded dog bite.

The Pacers are limping through it right now in every possible way. The joy they rode to the NBA Finals a season ago has evaporated, replaced with frustration and fatigue. Injuries have gutted them, and the young guys left standing are fighting uphill with dull blades. Their depth has vanished.

So the Suns have one job tonight. Do what they did to New Orleans. Find the lineup that locks in, then crush the Pacers.

One thing this team has done well so far is hold a lead once they have it. That’s been a refreshing change. For years, it felt like every 20-point cushion could disappear in the time it takes to microwave popcorn. That’s life in the era of the three-ball. No lead feels safe, because everyone’s always one hot streak away from catching you.

But this group? They’ve learned how to step on a throat and keep it there. Apply pressure. Cut off air. Make opponents fold before the fourth quarter even starts. That’s the task again tonight. Don’t let Indiana breathe.

Prediction​

The Suns keep playing within the confines of who they are, and when they do that, they win.

Suns 122, Pacers 109

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...y-threads-preview-vs-pacers-nba-game-analysis

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Game Recap: Suns torch Pacers for fifth straight win, 133-98

The Valley court and jerseys were back in Phoenix, and boy, were they beautiful. The only thing that was equally as beautiful was the final score.

It was the second night of a back-to-back for the Suns, and they didn’t show it one bit. They led by as many as 46 points and outshot Indiana by 21% in the game. It was a beatdown nearly from wire to wire, with the Suns in complete control despite Indiana’s fast pace early on.

Devin Booker was sensational, pouring in 33 points and 7 assists in just 29 minutes on 12-22 shooting. Dillon Brooks also chipped in with a season-high 32 points of his own on 12-18 shooting. Oso Ighodaro had his best game of the season, adding 17 points and 7 rebounds with 3 blocks and 2 steals in 26 minutes. He was a team-high +52 tonight. No, that is not a typo. PLUS 52!

It was a chippy game throughout, with Dillon Brooks instigating and getting under the skin of the entire Indiana team, per usual. Unfortunately each team lost a player for a to be determined amount of time with Grayson Allen and Aaron Nesmith both exiting with injuries.

Game Flow​

First Half​

Phoenix got off to a shaky start defensively, allowing 11 points in the first 3:30, trailing the Pacers 11-8. Indiana played at their typical frantic pace.

Dillon Brooks picked Pascal Siakam as his “victim” for mind games early on in this one. He (Brooks) had 7 early points on 3-4 shooting to jumpstart the offense. And Grayson continued to do Grayson things.

Grayson maneuvering in the lane, oh my! pic.twitter.com/9tS5u8Q2NX

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 14, 2025

Dillon Brooks continued the hot shooting, pouring in 12 points in the opening 9 minutes.

Then, Things started getting spicy. He and T.J. McConnell got into it with Brooks, leading to double-technicals. A Collin Gillespie jumper made it 24-21 with 2:30 remaining in the opening quarter, followed by an Indy timeout.

Dillon Brooks 12 points.

Getting chippy between T.J. McConnell and Dillon Brooks. #Suns #Pacers pic.twitter.com/71JrioYkBQ

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 14, 2025

Phoenix held the Pacers scoreless for a ~3:20 stretch, allowing them to balloon their lead to double figures. An 11-2 run powered Phoenix to a 31-23 lead after the opening quarter.

Jordan Goodwin and Oso Ighodaro injected some chaos and energy on the defensive end and had a couple of nice offensive moments.

Ighodaro had himself quite the sequence with a steal, block, and a strong finish at the rim early on.

Oso Ighodaro's best stretch this season… by far.

Everywhere defensively. Rolling hard, and they're finding him. 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block on 3-4 shooting in 7 minutes.

— Zona (@AZSportsZone) November 14, 2025

Things continued to get chippy, with Pascal Siakam and Royce O’Neale getting into a light shoving match after a hard foul on Siakam.

Dillon Brooks continued his hot start midway through the second, propelling the Suns to a 15-point lead after a tough off-balance floater.

It is worth noting that Grayson Allen left the game in the second quarter after limping following a drive to the rim, which appeared to be him taking a knee to the thigh. He didn’t return in the half, or the game for that matter.

A quick 7-0 Pacers run cut the lead down to eight, 48-40, with just over 5:30 remaining in the half. Brooks was on an absolute heater, pouring in 24 points on 13 shots in the opening half.

No caption needed. pic.twitter.com/sOfjdfwgxF

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 14, 2025

After a chippy, scrappy opening 24 minutes, the Suns led 70-52. Brooks had 24, Booker had 17, and Allen had 12 at the half.

Second Half​

The Suns started the second half with Collin Gillespie taking Grayson Allen’s spot in the starting lineup after he exited due to a quad contusion.

Status alert: Grayson Allen (quad) won't return Thursday.

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 14, 2025

The Pacers fought back to cut the lead down to 11 after a scary injury to Aaron Nesmith left them even more shorthanded than they already were.

Nick Richards was active early in the period, with some standout defensive plays and drew some calls at the rim to get to the line.

RETURN TO SENDER pic.twitter.com/vlo0cqtPgr

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 14, 2025

The Pacers continued their frantic pace and did not let their foot off the gas pedal, fighting back to within 11 points after leading by as many as 20 points.

Phoenix quickly answered with a 7-0 run to push the lead back to 18 with 2:38 left in the 3rd, leading to a Pacers timeout. Devin Booker started to completely take over, going on a vintage Devin Booker heater towards the end of the 3rd quarter.

Uno.

33 PTS through three quarters pic.twitter.com/g3xMGNYFgX

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 14, 2025

Phoenix led 106-84 after three quarters of action. Booker had 33, Brooks had 26.

The Suns’ broadcast feed cut out entirely in the 4th quarter for a few minutes, so I won’t write much about what we all missed there. Apparently, Brooks scored another 5 points and Gillespie drilled a three during that stretch.

It was the Oso show to close it out, as the Suns continued their beatdown of Indiana and the benches were emptied.

OSO THROUGH ALL THE CONTACT! pic.twitter.com/loWy0ht6rC

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 14, 2025

---

The rookies got some run in the end, but it was just mostly your typical sloppy garbage time minutes. The Suns got the win again, and man, did they look connected doing it.

Up Next​

Phoenix gets a much-needed two days off before hosting the Atlanta Hawks in downtown Phoenix.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...ns-torch-pacers-for-fifth-straight-win-133-98

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The Suns’ vibes are loud right now and the challenges waiting are louder

After a thorough beatdown of a hobbled Pacers squad on Thursday night, the Phoenix Suns sit at 8-5, riding a five-game heater with six wins in their last seven. They are playing the brand of basketball we were promised, the kind that pulls you in and keeps you there, and anyone who has watched them with any regularity can confirm that this run has felt good. It carries the same energy as the Roaring Twenties, a bright era when the whole country believed happy times would last forever. People danced, spent money, smiled wide, and lived loud, and the whole thing floated on air.

Then the music cut out.

That is where my head lives. I’m not here to rain on anything. I’m not here to drag the mood into the gutter. My goal is to stay grounded. To stay realistic. The vibes might keep rolling. I hope they do. But I’m here to tap the brakes a bit and point out that the Suns are streaking and a big part of that comes from the level of competition they are seeing.

Do not mistake any of this for a lack of appreciation. This is fun. This is the good stuff. Covering this team feels enjoyable again. Watching them smack teams around, especially the teams they should dominate, scratches an itch that has been burning for two seasons. The fan base spent that time locked in a strange Civil War, everyone pointing fingers in every direction, everyone looking for the culprit behind a roster that refused to gel or compete or bury the teams they should have handled with ease.

Now the team looks locked in every night. Every quarter has intention. The natural lulls you expect in a basketball game show up, but they are short, they pass quickly, and the team snaps right back into shape. The ball is not sticking. The defense has heart. They are beating the opponents they should beat, and they are doing it on command.

And here is the part we cannot ignore. This stretch lives in the softer part of the schedule. The combined winning percentage of the Suns opponents through thirteen games is .355. Sure, the Suns contributed eight losses to that number, but the point remains that they are carving up teams that are either not good, significantly wounded, or versions of themselves that look like they misplaced their souls on the way into the arena.

The combined record of opposing teams thus far for the Suns: 54-98 (.355)

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) November 14, 2025

That isn’t meant to dim the glow around Phoenix. They are beating the teams they should beat. That tells you a lot. It shows a team with focus. A team that refuses to get comfortable on the farm, if you will.

It serves as a reminder that the road ahead stretches far, with miles of rough terrain. The Suns hold the hardest remaining strength of schedule in the league. 67 games remain. The landscape will shift plenty of times before this thing settles.

Per @tankathon, the Phoenix Suns have the toughest remaining strength of schedule, with their remaining opponents currently have a combined .531 winning percentage

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) November 14, 2025

So raise a glass behind the hidden doors of prohibition. Let the music shake the floor. Let your hips swing with the Charleston. Feel the moment. Enjoy it with the same wild energy the era invites. But keep in mind that the market can crash. The real evaluation begins when the opponents tighten up and the easy paths turn into mountain climbs. How this team responds in that environment will define the way we talk about them later.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...run-opponent-quality-trends-basketball-review

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Phoenix is starting to make high-level basketball look effortless

If you’d told me back in October that we’d string together five straight wins, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’m not usually the pessimistic type, but honestly, this Suns team is surprising me in every possible way: offensively, defensively, in the energy, the cohesion. Even in the way they’re making games look easy. It’s genuinely enjoyable to watch.

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An Offensive Machine with Defensive Backbone​

Collectively over this five-game stretch, the Suns are putting up the 3rd-best offense in the league with 127.1 points per 100 possessions. They also have the 4th-best defense during that span (107.5 points allowed per 100 possessions).

In terms of efficiency and cleanliness, Phoenix clearly climbed into the league’s top 8: 59% eFG%, 41.2% from three, nearly 50% on mid-range shots, and only 14.1% turnover rate.

Nothing like the early-season version of this team, when we were sitting at 54.3% eFG%, 42.2% from mid-range, 37.6% from three and 16.5% turnovers; numbers that consistently placed us in the bottom half of the league.

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Individual Sparks Fueling a Collective Rise​

Of course, some individual standouts are driving this run.

Grayson Allen has been incredibly consistent over his last four outings (excluding the game where he got hurt against Indiana). He’s averaging 24.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals with surgical precision: 54.2% from the field, 55% from three, and a +14.8 differential in 32 minutes. His volume stays controlled, but his impact is huge, both as a scorer and as a constant pressure point on defenses. And with that 42-point explosion against the Pelicans, all we can do now is hope for a smooth recovery.

Dillon Brooks, on his end, is on a strong stretch as well. Over his last four games, he’s putting up 21.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals, with great offensive efficiency: 51.9% from the field, 40% from deep, and 92% from the line. In 28.1 minutes, he’s mixing aggression, discipline, and efficiency — without forcing the issue the way he did early in the season — which only boosts his value even more.

Defensively, we know everything comes from the collective effort. But some guys still deserve extra credit, and Jordan Goodwin is one of them. Once again last night, his energy, his commitment, and his defensive talent lifted the team. The fanbase feels it too. He’s slowly carving out a real place in our hearts.

---

Sure, we’re benefiting from a favorable schedule. Kawhi sitting out two games, the Pelicans and Pacers going into tank mode, and the Mavs without Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. But it’s not like the Suns are just coasting. They’re making games easy, with nearly a 20-point differential over the streak.

This run doesn’t guarantee anything long-term, but it does confirm something essential: the team has found a foundation. Between the offensive efficiency, the defensive focus, and the emergence of key contributors, the Suns are starting to look like a group that actually knows where it’s going and how to get there. The schedule will get tougher, adjustments will come, and injuries will clear up.

For now, the group is building, progressin,g and setting a level of discipline we hadn’t seen in a while. This stretch may only be a fragment of the season, but it tells us something important: Phoenix is learning how to win with seriousness.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...n-allen-dillon-brooks-jordan-goodwin-analysis

 

[Phoenix Suns]

The Goodwin decision is aging well as his energy keeps reshaping games

In a season that surprised everyone from the jump, you expect an unsung hero or two to stumble into the spotlight. Someone you didn’t peg as a difference maker. Someone who wakes up one morning and decides to play to the ceiling nobody bothered to check for. And yes, the Suns sit at 26% of their projected win total of 31, with only 16% of the schedule played. Things feel good. A reminder still lingers that this run has come against lighter competition.

That doesn’t erase the surprises along the road. One of the brightest sparks so far is Jordan Goodwin.

Sheesh, this Jordan Goodwin pass … pic.twitter.com/KfALw1xF0m

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 14, 2025

Think back to training camp. Think back to preseason. There was a real battle between Goodwin and Jared Butler. You remember Butler. You have to. The guy who dropped 35 in the final preseason game, then watched the organization keep Goodwin instead.

Through 13 games, it looks like the front office hit the right button. Goodwin is giving them strong minutes off the bench, minutes that line up perfectly with the attitude this team wants to carry into every possession.

“Whether he’s on the court or not, he makes an impact,” head coach Jordan Ott said of Jordan following the game last night. “I think his enthusiasm and his ability to connect our group…he’s like a lifelong Sun. He just exists to be here. Since day one, he’s just brought a passion and ability to connect to all different people in our locker room. When he gets on the floor, he plays the same way.”

Jalen Green going down with a hamstring strain was tough. The kid has upside and opportunity, and both got shoved into a holding pattern. Four to six weeks until he is reevaluated means he probably returns in January. That kind of absence cracks the door open for others. All they have to do is walk through it.

Goodwin has stepped through with confidence. He’s played 16.2 minutes a night over 10 games, averaging 5.9 points and shooting 38.7% from deep. He posts 2.0 assists and 1.1 turnovers. The numbers are fine, but the electricity is where he cashes his checks. He hits timely shots. He injects rhythm back into possessions that are starting to sag.

Jordan Goodwin: Creating extra possessions

Collin Gillespie: Making teams pay pic.twitter.com/UDKcRtgsH2

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 14, 2025

Think back to that Dallas game. The offense felt like it was dragging a cinder block, even with Devin Booker out there trying to ignite something. Then Jordan Goodwin checked in late in the first quarter and the entire vibe twisted. The Suns were down 10 points. A few breaths later, they were up two. A 12-0 run to close the quarter, all sparked by Goodwin turning into a live wire.

He went 3-of-3 for 7 points to end the first, then strolled into the second quarter and drilled a pair of threes. 13 points in 13 minutes, all in the first half. 5-of-8 from the field. 3-of-4 from deep. He set the tone. The rest of the roster fed off it.

That is the role he has carved out this season. A jump starter off the bench. Every team in the league needs a guy who shows up with fire in his bloodstream. Someone who treats the game like a spark plug, ready to jolt the system awake at any moment. He brings emotion, pressure, and a whole lot of chaos for the opposition. He forces their hand.

Goodwin leads the team with 2.7 steals per 36 minutes, averaging 1.2 steals a night in limited minutes. He holds an +11.3 net rating, second on the team among players with ten games or more, sitting right behind Mark Williams.

His presence reinforces the idea that the Suns made the right call when they picked him over Butler. The organization trusted what they saw behind closed doors. The chemistry. The way he blended with teammates. The high motor. The stubborn will. All of that weighed more than a scoring explosion in a preseason game with no stakes attached.

Goodwin remains who he has always been. A dog in the best sense. A player who bites into the moment and refuses to let go.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...d-impact-steals-efficiency-rotation-breakdown

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Dillon Brooks’ big night came with a price, fined $25,000

The NBA announced that Dillon Brooks was fined $25k after a celebration he made in the first half of the Phoenix Suns’ victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

Brooks made a lewd gesture after he hit a shot at the end of the first half. The University of Oregon product had his best game so far as a Sun, scoring 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting in 28 minutes of play.

After the game, Brooks had a hunch was going to be fined and actually predicted the correct amount of money the fine would be. The forward has a history of receiving fines dating back to his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.

"Imma say that's probably $25K."

Dillon Brooks predicting the NBA fining him $25,000 for his "lewd gesture on the playing court" during Thursday's 133-98 win over the Indiana Pacers at Mortgage Matchup Center. #Suns #Pacers pic.twitter.com/luS2W5yGR2

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 15, 2025

Brooks was not suspended and will be available to play tomorrow when Phoenix hosts the Atlanta Hawks at 7 pm local time. The Suns are on a 5-game winning streak and currently stand as the 7th seed in the Western Conference at 8-5.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...sture-indiana-pacers-win-32-point-performance

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Game Preview: Phoenix looks to validate its momentum against the Hawks

Who: Atlanta Hawks (8–5) vs. Phoenix Suns (8–5)

When: 6:00pm Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV

Listen: KMVP 98.7

---

Phoenix comes in with real momentum. The start of the season was uneven, but the Suns are beginning to look like a team that understands what it wants to do: controlled pace, efficient outside shooting, and better defensive discipline. Their recent blowout win over Indiana was a clear indicator. This offense can become dangerous when Booker dictates the tempo and the shooters follow. At home, Phoenix has rarely stumbled, and that consistency weighs heavily heading into this matchup.

Atlanta arrives with almost the opposite profile. On the road, the Hawks show surprising maturity: they play loose, aggressive, and their three-point shooting allows them to ignite a game in just a few possessions. Their recent win in Utah, fueled by a standout performance from Jalen Johnson, showed that they can beat anyone when they’re rolling.

For both teams, the swing factor is defense — solid at times, leaky at others. That inconsistency is what keeps them from taking the next step. Still, Atlanta’s ability to win outside its tactical comfort zone makes them a more dangerous opponent than their record suggests.

Both teams enter with contrasting but equally intriguing trajectories: Phoenix is stabilizing, while Atlanta is walking a tightrope. That collision of trends makes the game unpredictable, and that’s exactly what gives this matchup such strategic appeal.

---

Probable Starters​

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Injury Report​

Suns​

Jalen Green — OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)

Grayson Allen — OUT (Right Quad Contusion)

Hawks​

Trae Young — OUT (Right Knee Sprained MCL)

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What to Watch For​

Jalen Johnson is coming off a monster game against the Jazz, and he’s exactly the type of profile that can cause problems on both ends of the floor. I’m curious to see how Phoenix chooses to handle him. I’m expecting a physical matchup between him and Dillon Brooks.

The interior battle (Phoenix needs to win the boards and protect the paint), the pace of the game, and the Suns’ outside shooting will all be key elements to track. Can Phoenix capitalize on Trae Young’s absence and force Atlanta into uncomfortable offensive situations?

This matchup is compelling because the two teams contrast so sharply: Phoenix wants control, half-court execution, quality shots; Atlanta wants to run, punish in transition, and play on instinct.

It’s also a revealing moment for the Suns: at home, facing a team that has shown it can win anywhere, Phoenix needs to validate its recent progress.

All in all, it’s a matchup filled with competitive tension, clashing styles, and meaningful context — the kind of night where you learn something about two teams still shaping their identity.

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Key to a Suns Win​

The key for Phoenix is to force a half-court game and stay clean offensively. The Suns take control as soon as they can set their actions, choose their shots, and dictate the tempo. The danger comes from turnovers: every giveaway is an invitation for Atlanta to run, attack in transition, and stretch the defense into open space — where the Hawks become far tougher to contain. If Phoenix takes care of the ball and limits fast-break opportunities, the game naturally shifts into a style that favors them.

---

Prediction​

I’m expecting a tight matchup, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this one reaches overtime — the Suns absolutely have the tools to win this game.

Suns 124, Hawks 120

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...injury-report-pace-shooting-defense-breakdown

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Phoenix falls in a thriller against the Hawks. 124-122

Phoenix let a game slip through its fingers after controlling it for long stretches, falling 124–122 following a brutal collapse in the fourth quarter. The night had every ingredient for a Suns win: dominance on the glass (47–34), a barrage of offensive rebounds (16), and a third quarter won 37–20…but the 17 turnovers and inconsistent ball movement proved too costly to overcome.

Dillon Brooks, scorching with 34 points on 56% shooting, led the way, while the duo of Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin delivered a huge boost off the bench (29 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists combined). On the other side, Atlanta’s starters carried the load, led by an all-around Jalen Johnson (25-10-7) and an unstoppable Onyeka Okongwu (27 points). A frustrating loss built as much on effort as on the little details abandoned along the way.

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Game Flow​

First Half​

Phoenix opened the game in messy fashion: five straight missed shots, no perimeter touch, but just enough aggression and movement to stay afloat. Atlanta, meanwhile, played with more poise and fluidity. After six minutes, the Hawks led 17–11, prompting Jordan Ott to take the first timeout.

The rest of the quarter matched the tone: Phoenix shot just 8/28 overall, 1/12 from three, and committed three turnovers. Paradoxically, the team grabbed ten offensive rebounds but converted only eight second-chance points. Atlanta wasn’t dazzling either, far from it, but capitalized on Phoenix’s early struggles to take the opening period 25–21 in a gritty, grind-it-out style. In the end, the Suns nearly got away with it by trailing only by four.

The second quarter started far better. The physical impact remained, ball movement improved, and the shooting finally showed signs of life (4/6 to open the period). This time, it was Quin Snyder who had to halt the momentum (32–31). The Suns’ bench—Gillespie, Goodwin, and Dunn—provided real energy, but Atlanta continued to thrive through crisp team offense: 16 of their first 18 field goals were assisted. Jalen Johnson, once again red hot, led the charge with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.

After an 18–6 run, pushing the score to 50–37, Ott burned his third timeout to reset the group. The reaction was immediate. Dillon Brooks ignited the quarter (11 points, a steal, a drawn charge), the Suns finally elevated their intensity, and delivered a 21–7 run to close out the half. Two free throws from Gillespie sealed the comeback: one to tie, the next to take the lead.

Phoenix returned to the locker room up 58–57, after a chaotic first half where they somehow managed to reinvent themselves. Despite the painful 22/53 shooting, the Suns’ dirty work was lethal: 29 rebounds and 7 stocks already.

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Second Half​

Dillon Brooks picked up right where he left off: eight quick points to start a second half that finally looked more coherent, even though both teams still left plenty of mistakes on the floor. The offenses found more rhythm, but Atlanta held a slight edge four minutes in (71–69), still driven by an all-around Jalen Johnson (18-7-6) and a sharp Onyeka Okongwu. The Daniels–NAW backcourt added timely contributions to keep the Hawks ahead.

Then Brooks shifted into bulldozer mode. His two-way activity flipped the game’s rhythm and allowed the Suns to take a five-point lead entering the final minutes of the quarter (80–75). And even if his name stood out most, the whole team elevated its level: the defense tightened, rotations sharpened, and turnovers finally dropped.

The end of the quarter turned into a full-on statement. Behind the second unit and a suddenly inspired Isaiah Livers, Phoenix unleashed a devastating 15–0 run that blew the game open. The Suns poured in 37 points in the period—16 from Brooks—and entered the fourth with a commanding 95–77 lead.

If the phrase “night and day” needed a visual illustration, these Suns would be the perfect example. The opening minutes of the fourth quarter were a showcase. Phoenix imposed a relentless pace, the bench was fired up on every play, and the defense looked airtight. The Suns cruised to a 22-point lead and seemed fully in control.

Then the cracks formed. A few light sequences, late rotations, and lapses in focus allowed Atlanta to trim the lead to 12 with seven minutes left. The momentum began to swing: Phoenix slid back into its first-half bad habits—forced shots, rushed possessions, and shaky execution. With five minutes remaining, the lead was down to six (107–101).

The spiral continued. The same mistakes repeated themselves, and the Hawks pounced on every opening. Devin Booker kept the team afloat with five points and a key steal, but Phoenix remained unable to steady the game. With 3:30 left, the lead shrank again: 112–106.

Then the money-time turned into a nightmare. The Suns conceded too many easy looks at the rim, rotations lost their sharpness, and confidence clearly shifted to the Hawks’ side. Atlanta took the lead 119–118 with 45 seconds remaining. The ending mirrored the quarter: too much complacency, too many errors, and the feeling the Suns had seen the win too early.

Phoenix collapsed in the decisive moments and dropped another late-game battle, a defeat both bitter and deserved. Final score: 124–122.

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Up Next​

The Suns now head to Portland to face a solid Blazers team that also lost tonight. On paper, Portland offers more stability, but they remain well within reach — especially considering they’ve won only one of their last five games. This matchup is a real opportunity to bounce back and clean up the details that proved costly against Atlanta.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...34-point-collapse-turnovers-rebounds-analysis

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Suns sign Jamaree Bouyea to two-way deal, waive CJ Huntley

The Phoenix Suns have signed guard Jamaree Bouyea on a two-way contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The San Fransico Dons product was a part of the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this year before he was waived for Alex Antetokounmpo. He then joined the Austin Spurs and has suited up in 4 games for them.

The Phoenix Suns are signing guard Jamaree Bouyea to a two-way NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. Bouyea has played parts of three NBA years and has averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the G League this season.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2025

The crafty guard has spent time with five different NBA franchises: Milwaukee, Miami, Washington, San Antonio, and Portland.

Bouyea brings steady G-League production (20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season in 4 games) and three years of NBA experience across the franchises listed above.

Newest member of the Phoenix Suns, Jaramree Bouyea, has put up 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 4 games for the Austin Spurs this season. pic.twitter.com/hjAalzLe4v

— Zona (@AZSportsZone) November 17, 2025

Bouyea went undrafted in 2022 out of the University of San Francisco and has since built his resume via the G League, where he’s shown scoring ability and playmaking chops.

Phoenix is already at 3 two-way players, meaning they will have to cut or convert to open up a spot for Bouyea. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro hinted that Huntley could be cut but remain with the Valley Suns, just not on a two-way slot, in order to make room for Bouyea.

I would expect they cut CJ Huntley but they do like him maybe there is a way to keep him on the Valley Suns team https://t.co/NQVYVJwJQF

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) November 17, 2025

The Suns confirmed that transaction. The hope is that, if Huntley clears waivers, he can rejoin the Valley Suns’ squad.

OFFICIAL: The Suns have waived forward CJ Huntley.

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 17, 2025

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...g-nba-g-league-guard-update-cj-huntley-waived

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Bright Side Wonders Week 4: Are the Suns as good as their record shows?

The Phoenix Suns’ strong week ended with major disappointment, blowing a 22-point fourth quarter lead to the Atlanta Hawks. The team went 3-1 this past week, climbing up the Western Conference standings as the team gets more acclimated to each other and Jordan Ott continues to evolve as a first-year head coach.

Here are the main questions for Week 4 that we want your thoughts on:

Does the Suns’ record say more about them or their opponents?​

Phoenix has beat just one team over .500 this season, and with an opportunity to beat another this week, they blew a massive lead toAtlanta Hawks when they were missing Trae Young and Kristaps Porziņģis. Credit, Phoenix was without Grayson Allen and Jalen Green, but blowing a 20+ point fourth quarter lead is never good no matter the circumstances. The Suns have handled their business against inferior competition, their three wins this week they won by a combined 65 points, a 21.6 point average.

For the Suns to prove that their record is a true reflection of who they are and deserve to be in the playoff mix, do they need to play better against tougher competition? Good thing for them? With two games against two Western Conference playoff teams this week, Phoenix will get a chance to show how they fare against some of the West’s best.

How do the Suns not let their blown lead to the Hawks impact them long term?​

Phoenix’s lost last night was their most surprising of the season. Up 21 with 8:22 left, the Hawks closed out the game on a 38 to 15 run, and ended the team’s winning streak at five. The Suns have rallied back from down 20 this season and won, they did so in their first game of the season against the Sacramento Kings. We have not seen how the team responds to self-inflicted adversity.

He’s day-to-day, but Grayson Allen’s status for Tuesday’s national showdown against the Portland Trailblazers is still unknown, after he suffered a right quad contusion against the Indiana Pacers last Thursday. Phoenix may be once again without one of their leading scorers when the team looks to redeem themselves.

What can the rookies do to prove themselves?​

With a few blowout victories last week, Suns rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming got opportunities to play more than just a minute or two, and both were relatively ineffective in their time. To give them more reps and experience, Maluach and Fleming played in the Valley Suns’ G-League game on Friday, Fleming especially had a strong outing.

When both have played extended minutes this season, they’ve struggled. It didn’t matter towards the result of the game, but Maluach and Fleming were some of the main culprits for why Phoenix’s win against the San Antonio Spurs on November 2nd looks much closer than the score indicates. What do the rooks need to do, and how can the Suns put them in spots to be contributors in meaningful minutes?

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For questions to answer after every game, follow @HoldenSherman1 on X for content like this:

Dillon Brooks with another efficient, 30+ point outing, what is the main reason he's been more efficient of late?

Even with Dyson Daniels on him, should the Suns have given the ball to Devin Booker more down the stretch? @BrightSideSun

— Holden Sherman (@HoldenSherman1) November 17, 2025

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...lapse-rookie-development-grayson-allen-injury

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Are the Phoenix Suns winning the possession battle this season?

The Phoenix Suns have been hyper-focused on three things this season: playing hard, shooting threes, and winning the possession battle. Jordan Ott stated at the beginning of the season that winning the possession battle is one of the most critical things an NBA team can do to ensure victory every night, and the Suns are doing it so far this season.

Obviously, the most basic and obvious statistic to look at is field goal attempts. The team that takes more shots on goal is most likely to win the game, but it is not always that simple. The Suns are only 5-4 this season when outshooting their opponents in shots on goal. Free throws, turnovers, and rebounding also factor into the possession battle.

Here is a breakdown of which box score numbers mean the most to the Suns winning the possession battle and winning games.

Shots on Goal​

As previously mentioned, the Suns are 5-4 when shooting more shots on goal than their opponents this season, and they are 3-2 when they attempt fewer field goals. In all four of the Suns’ losses against the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Atlanta Hawks, they had more field goal attempts but shot and made fewer free throws in all games, resulting in losses.

In games that they won without outshooting their opponents in field goal attempts, the Suns made 23 more threes than their opponents in total. Including games against the Spurs and Pelicans, where they made nine more threes in each game.

Getting to the Free-Throw Line​

Phoenix does not often get to the free-throw line more than its opponents, but when it does, it is 4-1. When Phoenix does not, it is 4-5. Phoenix fouls a lot, with 23.1 fouls committed per game, 24th in the NBA this season. Phoenix plays an attacking, aggressive style of defense, which results in more fouls and more free throws for its opponents. Now, fouling at the end of games can skew free-throw attempts in games; it has sometimes caused Phoenix to lose games, and it sometimes is the result of Phoenix losing and being forced to extend games at the end.

However, it is still a key indicator that if the Suns get to the free-throw line on offense as much as their opponents, they will win more often than not.

Outrebounding the Opponent​

Rebounding. It is not as sexy as three-point shooting, fastbreak points, and other metrics, but it might be the Suns’ most clear-cut indicator of whether it will win games.

The Suns are 6-2 when they outrebound their opponents, and 2-4 when they do not. Part of rebounding is determined by the defense; there will be fewer rebound opportunities if the Suns’ defense is poor and opponents are making shots, which is what happened in the first four losses of the season for the Suns. Since then, the defense has improved, and the Suns are not letting teams beat them on the glass outside of their fourth-quarter collapse against the Hawks.

The Suns this season are 14th in defensive rating at 113.2 and 16th in defensive rebounding percentage at 68.7%. But since Mark Williams’ insertion in the starting lineup (and an admittedly cupcake schedule), the Suns’ defensive rating is 108.8, and their defensive rebounding percentage is 71.4%. If Williams continues to play as well as he has so far this season, the Suns will rebound, defend, and be competitive in most games this season.

Winning the Turnover Battle​

Outside of the points on the scoreboard, turnovers are the most critical statistic that determines winning and losing in football. Teams can dominate in total yards, time of possession, etc., but if you lose the turnover battle, you will almost always lose the game.

In basketball, it is not quite as life or death, but for the Suns, turnovers and giving up points off turnovers are the biggest key to whether or not they win or lose games outside of three-point shooting. This season, the Suns are 4-1 when they win the turnover battle, and 5-0 when they outscore their opponents in points off turnovers.

The Suns are 4-5 when they lose the turnover battle, and 3-6 when they are outscored in points off turnovers. In the Suns’ three wins when outscored in points off turnovers, they are a total of -11 in three games, basically even but ever so slightly on the wrong side. The Suns are -60 in points off turnovers in their six losses this season.

For the Suns to be the surprise team in the NBA this season, like we all want them to be, it starts with taking care of the ball and not giving up easy points off turnovers. The Suns will force their share of turnovers with how aggressively they play defensively; they just have to keep teams from turning them over.

This responsibility falls heavily on Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen for now to make the smart play offensively and not get turned over. As we have seen this season, teams will pressure the Suns’ ball handlers the full length of the floor, and the Suns cannot be loose with the ball.

The Great Equalizer: Three-Point Shooting​

If teams cannot win the possession battle, the best way to make up the difference is 3-point shooting. Shooting threes wins games as we have seen so far this season. The Suns are 6-4 this season when they shoot more threes than their opponents, and are 7-2 when they make more threes than their opponents. That is the NBA: the team that makes the most threes typically wins the game.

So obviously, the Suns have to keep doing what they have been doing this season, get those threes up, and hope Allen and O’Neale continue to stay hot.

Can the Suns Keep it Going?​

Outside of the Suns’ sloppy 1-4 start to the season, they are winning the possession battle this season. They are following the blueprint to win games through their effort and buy-in on what Ott and the organization are preaching. This team has the want-to, the competitive spirit, and the grit to do it this season.

What we’ll find out over this next brutal stretch of games against the Blazers, Timberwolves, Spurs, Rockets, Thunder, and Nuggets is whether this team has the talent to do it against the best teams in the NBA.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...overs-three-point-shooting-efficiency-winning

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Game Recap: The Suns turn pressure into a weapon in 127-110 win over Portland

After a disappointing loss on Sunday, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 127-110.

Shaedon Sharpe led the Blazers with 20 points at halftime, keeping his team locked in and helping them overcome an 11-point Suns lead to cut it down to 64–61 at the break. But it was the closest the team would be for the remainder of the game.

After halftime, the Suns responded with a 12–0 run, sparked by Ryan Dunn and his career-high five-steal performance. From there, the Suns would outscore the Blazers 63-49 in the second half to secure their 9th win of the season.

The Blazers’ opportunities to stay close ran thin down the stretch, as the Suns refused to let up or repeat the mistakes from Sunday night when they surrendered a 22-point lead. Phoenix maintained its composure and toughness, pushing through a scrappy (but injured) Blazers team and securing the win, improving to 9–6 on the season.

With tonight’s win, the Suns sit at 9-6, identical to last year’s record through 15 pic.twitter.com/NDbggy6FKL

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) November 19, 2025

Game Flow​

First Half​

Leading a 12–0 run to begin the game, Devin Booker capitalized on the right passes and fast-break opportunities to put the Suns up 16–7. With three early assists in the first quarter, Booker shared the load as Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams broke down the Blazers’ defense, blowing open the paint with eight of the Suns’ first 16 points coming at the rim.

BIG VILLAIN pic.twitter.com/GSY7k1NPUH

— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) November 19, 2025

A wild sequence that included four offensive rebounds gave the Blazers a chance to climb back into the game, cutting the Suns’ lead to four. After a couple of fumbled possessions, the Suns were forced to call a timeout at the 5:21 mark to regain their composure.

Second-chance points and offensive rebounds are the Blazers’ strengths, and with six second-chance points and five offensive boards, Portland took full advantage of the extra opportunities the Suns allowed in the first quarter. Despite that, Phoenix held a narrow 35–32 lead at the end of one.

Royce O’Neal came out firing from three in the first half, hitting 3 of 4 from deep after struggling on Sunday night when he went 1 of 6. But even with O’Neal’s hot start, the Suns continued to struggle on the defensive glass, allowing the Blazers to grab four quick offensive rebounds in the first three minutes of the second quarter.

Royce still hot from deep pic.twitter.com/YmW9jcjFIG

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 19, 2025

Entering the game for the first time, Blazers rookie Yang Hansen provided an immediate spark, helping trim the Suns’ lead to two. Hansen controlled the offense and backed down Williams for a couple of strong interior buckets, waking up the Blazers crowd. But the Suns had answers of their own, and after getting punked by Hansen on a few possessions, Williams responded with a pair of emphatic, redemptive dunks.

MARK WILLIAMS pic.twitter.com/jCgRUZqVy1

— Cage (@ridiculouscage) November 19, 2025

Suns rookie Rasheer Flemming had the opportunity to close the first half on the floor and made himself valuable by attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line, knocking down all four of his attempts. Both teams struggled from deep in the second quarter — the Suns went 2 of 9 from three, while the Blazers went 1 of 9 — with Deni hitting a big three to close the half and cut the deficit. Phoenix entered the break holding a 64–61 lead.

Second Half​

A lightning-fast start by the Suns sparked a 12–0 run fueled by forced turnovers against a stagnant Blazers offense that could barely string together a clean pass for most of the first five minutes of the third quarter. Whatever momentum Portland built at the end of the first half was silenced instantly by the Suns, as if it never existed.

With six steals and seven points off turnovers in the first six minutes of the third quarter, the game began to get sloppy.

RYAN DUNN CAN FLY pic.twitter.com/26MFlKsqvR

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 19, 2025

Frustrated with their offensive performance, the Blazers ramped up their defensive pressure, making it difficult for the Suns to slow the pace and maintain control without the game feeling like it might slip away.

Picking up their full-court pressure, the Blazers still couldn’t capitalize on opportunities to cut the Suns’ lead to single digits, as Phoenix controlled the glass and created multiple second-chance opportunities of their own.

Led by Oso Ighodaro, the Suns’ bench finished the third quarter wheeling and dealing — stealing, dunking, and extending the lead to 20 as they entered the fourth up 100–82. Oso piled up a team-high eight points, accounting for half of the Suns’ 16 bench points in the quarter.

The Blazers’ defensive pressure never let up, but the Suns matched their scrappiness and continued knocking down threes in the fourth. Outscoring Portland 12–7 to open the quarter, Phoenix made sure to maintain control and close out the game, defeating the Blazers on Tuesday night.

---

Up Next​

The Suns now get a few days of rest before returning home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in an NBA Cup matchup, tipping off at 7:00 PM Arizona time.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...n-booker-dillon-brooks-ryan-dunn-oso-ighodaro

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Oso Ighodaro is starting to show why the coaching staff never lost faith

Quantifying the impact of Oso Ighodaro can be a strange task. You can dig through the numbers and hunt for the statistic that captures what he has been lately, but it takes work. The truth is that the best way to understand the second-year wing from Marquette comes through the eye test. Early in the season, he was failing that test.

Here is a fun reminder. Neither of us are on the Phoenix Suns coaching staff. We do not see what happens behind closed doors. We do not know the hours Oso puts in every day or how he connects with his teammates when the cameras are off. We get small flashes of his personality, and we saw another one last night after the win over the Portland Trail Blazers on NBC.

Dillon Brooks was in the middle of his postgame interview when his teammates wandered in to stir things up. Jalen Green cracked a comment that sent Brooks into laughter. Brooks called it an inside joke the team uses to fire themselves up. As Green drifted away, Ighodaro stepped in with a deadpan delivery that felt ripped from Vince Vaughn in Old School, told him it was not that funny, then walked off without breaking stride.

View Link

Moments like that show a group building something real. It is chemistry that comes from people, not players. And while the eye test has wobbled for Oso at times this season, he is earning more trust from the coaching staff and he has started to repay that trust on the court.

Again, it is hard to pin down what Oso brings. So let me try an analogy that wandered into my head and refused to leave.

Think about a perfectly cooked New York strip steak. The kind that sits in a dry brine for a full day, hits the grill, picks up that dark crust on the fat cap, and comes off at a clean 132°. Think about cutting into that steak, then think about the same steak with a bright chimichurri poured across the top. That is the closest way I can describe Oso. He is not the steak. He is the chimichurri. The steak can stand on its own, but once you add that burst of flavor, everything gets better. It wakes the dish up. He wakes up the second team unit when he’s on the floor.

That is the best comparison I could summon, and it fits him.

I still have a tough time wrapping my head around the archetype Oso fits. He is not quite big enough or long enough to anchor the paint as a dominating defensive center. His rebounding comes and goes. As a power forward, he does not stretch the floor in any real way. My view only goes so far though. What matters is how the coaching staff sees him and how cleanly he fits into what they want to run. That is the part of the eye test that has shifted. Oso has settled into Jordan Ott’s system, and he has made it work.

Eight games into the season, I pointed out that his field goal percentage had dipped from 64%t last year to 42.%. His net rating sat at the second-worst mark on the roster at -33. His 8.9% rebounding percentage was rough. Since that point, he has turned a corner. He is shooting 71.4%from the field in the 7 games since. He is averaging 0.9 turnovers. His net rating is a +33.2. His rebounding percentage has moved up to 11.5%.

Since this post, Oso’s numbers:

71.4 FG%
0.9 TO
1.3 AST/TO ratio
+33.2 net rating
11.5 reb% https://t.co/XW4J5faAPG

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) November 19, 2025

It serves as a reminder to trust the process and keep the focus on development. We get sucked into the short view because we watch this team night after night. Growth does not happen on our timeline. It happens on the player’s timeline.

Oso is in his second season, and if he wants to become a long-term rotation player, he needs opportunities. He needs court time. He needs to see different defensive looks and learn how to respond. He needs to absorb the details that show up in those film sessions with the coaching staff. He has shown the mind for it. His basketball IQ has been obvious from the beginning, and that is the part of his game that never fits neatly in a box score. You see it in the way he moves, in the subtle work of setting a screen, in the angle of that screen, in the timing of a pass that hits a teammate right in the hands.

It can be hard to quantify that impact, but the impact is real. The Phoenix Suns have won eight of their last ten games with Oso finding his footing, and the team has caught the attention of people across the league with the way they have played.

So maybe that is where Oso’s value really lives. He is the thing you do not notice at first, then suddenly you cannot imagine the plate without it. The steak carries the meal, but the chimichurri brings it to life, and that is what Oso has started to do for this team. He sharpens the edges. He brightens the rhythm. He fills the gaps in ways that do not scream from the box score yet tilt the game in small, steady ways.

The Suns have found something in him, and if this stretch is any indication, the dish tastes a whole lot better with that extra layer on top.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-growth-rotation-improvement-advanced-metrics

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Starting today, comments and Feed posts on Bright Side Of The Sun will have activity notifications

When you post on SB Nation, we don’t want you to miss all the conversations and responses that follow.

So starting today, whenever a user replies to your comment or to your post on the Feed, you’ll see a notification at the top right corner of the page.

And of course, this means that when you engage with other community members, they’ll get an alert too.

Our goal is to create more and better conversations on Bright Side Of The Sun and elsewhere across the SB Nation network. Anytime someone engages with your comments or Feed posts on another SB Nation community, you’ll see it in your notifications.

For instance, here’s what your notifications might look like on sbnation.com if you were getting replies across Arrowhead Pride, MMA Fighting, and sbnation.com. You will see the same expandable stack of notifications on any site in the network where you were logged in.

If you want to dig into more of how this will work across the network and what’s next, head over to this post on sbnation.com from SB Nation’s Head of Product Ed Clinton.

You can log in or sign up here. Logged in users get fewer ads along with the ability to join the conversation.Jump into the comment section below or post on The Feed to see notifications in action.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...e-of-the-sun-will-have-activity-notifications

 

[Phoenix Suns]

What your Bright Side Night donation creates even if you never see it

Asking for charity hits a strange nerve. Asking for donations hits another one. I sit here trying to pull together the right words, the kind that spark something inside you, the kind that push past your instinct to hold on to your hard-earned money. We are talking about paying for something you cannot hold in your hand. You cannot frame it on a wall. You cannot tuck it in a drawer.

Dave King’s Bright Side Night leans into that mystery. It asks you to give so a moment can exist for someone else. A moment you will never witness. A moment they will remember long after the final buzzer. You will never know their name. You will never know what your donation meant when it hit them in a way only a kid can feel.

I think about what basketball has been for me, and it becomes easy to click a link. The game has lived in my life for as long as I can remember. My first memories are of watching players move in ways I knew my body would never match. The art of it hooked me. The glide of a jumper. The force of a dunk. The way a player slips through a defense and rises toward a rim that hangs there like a dare. It is beautiful. It has shaped me in more ways than I can count.

So if I can share that feeling, even a small slice of it, with someone who has never had the chance to step into an arena with all that noise and color and sensory overload, I will do it.

This is not about me. This is about a kid who might never walk through the doors of the Mortgage Matchup Center on their own. There is power there, quiet but real. Maybe someday someone who went because of a donation made through this community will grow up and write about this team. Maybe they will sit in my seat, pouring their love of the Suns into the screen for the next generation of fans. That is the spirit of paying it forward.

So that is what I am asking. Pay it forward. Send a kid who has not been given that chance to see the Phoenix Suns face the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, January 27. Let them feel something close to what you felt when basketball first got its hooks in you.

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-charity-send-kids-game-basketball-experience

 

[Phoenix Suns]

Oso Ighodaro is starting to look like he might have found his lane

The Phoenix Suns have had some success recently, winning the last six of seven games and holding a 9-6 record. This is impressive for a team that is not only in a retool phase but has also dealt with numerous injuries to start the year. There is also one player on this team who has recently found greater success in a role more suited to him: Oso Ighodaro.

After a rough start to the season, where the fans were ready to take their pitchforks and force a sophomore second-round pick out of town, the big man has now gotten more comfortable and has found success on the court.

To start the season, the Suns had Mark Williams on a minute restriction and did not start him because of his injury history. This led to Ighodaro getting the starts early on, something that was firmly rooted in his success in the Summer League and Jordan Ott’s trust in the big man. This trust and desire to develop him led him to see more action on the court, leaving fans frustrated. He only started for four games before being moved to the bench for Williams, who was now healthy and ready to go.

The frustrations were understandable to some fans, as he was not doing well on the boards, struggled to defend, and looked unlikely to contribute much on the offensive end.

There is also the rational understanding. The fact that he is a sophomore NBA player going up against Ivica Zubac and Nikola Jokic, two of the NBA’s best big men. Not only that, but he was the 40th pick in the second round just last year. He was not a top-10 pick that hasn’t panned out or a lottery steal that the Suns had super high hopes on, so these expectations of him being able to control some of the best centers in the NBA are wild, especially when he’s still trying to learn where he shines.

Many people have written Ighodaro off as a five completely, with many stating he can only be a four but cannot shoot the three. I still think he can find his groove in the center spot if he is the backup on this Suns team, as he has shown.

After he was benched, Ighodaro still had some trouble finding his stride, competing with Nick Richards for those backup minutes. It is as recent as Ighodaro is, honestly, figuring out what he can be for this team and how that can translate to success. In two of the three recent games, he has had a significant impact on the bench unit.

As we all know, he had a historic performance the other night vs the Indiana Pacers, where he posted the third-highest +/- in NBA history with a +57. Even if this is impressive, it is not the whole story, and that statistic isn’t an end-all, be-all either.

Oso Ighodaro officially had the 3rd highest +/- in a game ever pic.twitter.com/AcP7Xdl8BS

— Tuff (@TuffSuns) November 14, 2025

That said, he still had an impressive game, with a season-high 17 points (7-9 fg), seven rebounds, and six steals (3 steals and three blocks). On offense, the paint was just wide open, allowing him to set screens and cut to the basket for some easy dunks. Not only that, but his floater, which he loves so dearly, was also dropping, giving him some nice confidence. This finish right here, though, was by far my favorite of his that night.

View Link

On Tuesday, Oso once again showed his skill set, as in the dominating win vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, he had a big third quarter. The big man found the same baskets as in the Pacers game, and it helped. He finished the game with 14 points (6-7 fg), four rebounds, and one assist. In both games, it seemed Oso understood where he needed to be on both sides of the ball and found some success in attacking the basket.

Oso Ighodaro also had 8 points & 3 rebounds in Q3

Led the Suns in scoring in their 36-point showing

— Stephen PridGeon-Garner (@StephenPG3) November 19, 2025

Final Thoughts​

Now I know people are going to say, “Oh well, it’s only two games, you are just reaching,” but that is not the point of this article. The fact is to highlight not counting out these players, especially when the expectations for this team are not like they were in the past. I am sure Ighodaro is going to have great games like this versus some weaker opponents, and then vs some tough competition will struggle, that is okay though., he is a second year player trying to find his spot in a logjammed front court, He has gotten the benefit of the doubt getting more minutes than the other backup Nick Richards currently (236 to his 156) but that does not mean you can say he’s terrible.

He is growing, he is learning, and, just like all of us in our field, he is trying to be the best he can be, so all I ask is to temper the expectations and to enjoy his highlights when he makes an impact. Let’s not forget we are only 15 games into the year, and there is still A TON of basketball to break down!

Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/...-impact-plus-minus-role-change-advanced-stats