The Phoenix Suns got a taste of what being in the Western Conference is going to be like during the 2025-26 campaign in their first week of the season. After a 20-point comeback on opening night against the Sacramento Kings, the Valley got dominated by the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets on consecutive nights.
It remains early in the year, but the team already has some major questions. Here are the five main for week 1 that we want your thoughts on:
Why have the Suns struggled so much in the second quarter?
In 2/3rds of their games so far, they’ve lost by at least 22; in all of their contests, they’ve gotten handled in the second frame. Opponents have outscored them 117 to 84 so far in quarter two, meaning they’re losing those 12 minutes by almost a point a minute. The fewest points a team has scored against them in the second is 37, which Denver did to them on Saturday. What is the cause of this?
Thoughts on Jordan Ott and the new guys so far?
How do you think Jordan Ott has coached so far? Phoenix won in dramatic fashion in a game they were favored in, and got manhandled in their two games they were heavy underdogs. What do you think of his rotations early on? So far, only rookie Khaman Maluach has gotten meaningful minutes, and it was just because Mark Williams didn’t play on the second night of the back-to-back. Do the rookies need to be playing more? How much of the team’s struggle do you put on their new leader?
Dillon Brooks has been highly featured early on, and both Mark Williams and Nigel Hayes-Davis have been main bench players through three games. What have you liked and disliked about their roles and what you’ve seen from them so far, along with the rookies’ lack of playing time?
Is Dillon Brooks shooting too much?
Brooks has led the team in shots in every game so far. He’s taken 14 more shots than Booker has and is shooting under 38 percent from the field. Obviously, the shot distribution is inevitably going to change when Jalen Green returns soon, but in his past spots, Brooks was known for being overzealous with his shot selection. What does he and the Suns need to do with his shooting attempts?
Will the defense get better?
The Valley’s 126 points per game allowed to opponents is fourth in the NBA, and two of the three teams above them are two of the final teams without a win still. Phoenix has struggled to stop other teams when they go on runs. Mark Williams looks to be starting soon ,which will give them more height and length inside, and Green is more athletic than Allen is, but will it be enough to improve the defense?
How do you feel about Devin Booker’s year so far?
He’s been without what is supposed to be his secondary scorer, and Booker has seen numerous double teams and traps early on. He’s been efficient with his scoring and is 16/16 with his free-throw shooting after struggling on opening night. How do you think he’s managed the offense playing point guard and being without Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, or Chris Paul for the first time in six seasons?
What are your thoughts on the season so far? Let us know below.