New Suns forward Dillon Brooks discusses playing with Devin Booker
New Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks on joining the Phoenix Suns, playing with Devin Booker and more.
The Phoenix Suns have several key dates heading into the start of their 2025-26 NBA season.
Sept. 24 – Media Day
The Suns will have new head coach Jordan Ott and players take questions at PHX Arena that morning. Devin Booker will have his first opportunity in a media setting to address the team’s offseason moves — trading Kevin Durant, buying out Bradley Beal, hiring Ott — and signing a historic two-year, $145-million extension to keep him under contract in Phoenix through 2029-30.
Sept. 25 – Start of training camp
The Suns begin training camp with Booker as their leader and seven players who are 24 years of age or younger with 7-footer Mark Williams and guard Jalen Green being projected starters and key pieces. Dillon Brooks brings a toughness and physicality to the Suns, but the Year 2 improvement of Ryan Dunn and development of rookies Khaman Maluach, a lottery pick, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea will be something to monitor.
Oct. 3 – Preseason opener vs. Lakers
Phoenix opens preseason play against the Los Angeles Lakers in Palm Desert, California. Ott won’t reveal his entire offensive system here, but this is an opportunity to establish its defensive philosophy and overall style of play. The Suns ranked 27th in defensive rating last season under Mike Budenholzer and criticized for lacking intensity and effort. The Suns face the Lakers again to end preseason play Oct. 14 at home.
Oct. 10-12 – China trip
The Suns play the Brooklyn Nets twice in the NBA China Games at Venetian Arena in Macao. Fans in Phoenix will have to rise early — or stay up late — to watch the games. The Oct. 10 game starts at 5 a.m. and the Oct. 12 rematch begins at 4 a.m. Arizona’s Family will televise both games. The global trip is a chance for the new-look Suns to bond.
Oct. 22 – Regular season opener
Phoenix opens the 2025-26 regular against the Sacramento Kings at PHX Arena. The Kings finished 3-1 against the Suns last season. Neither team is considered a championship contenders, but Phoenix will play before the home fans. The unknown of this team gives the opener some intrigue.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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