Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker addresses media before China Games
Devin Booker held a news conference in Macao, China, leading up to the Phoenix Suns’ preseason matchups against the Brooklyn Nets.
Provided by the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott described the team’s week-long stay in China as a “pretty cool experience” capped by two games in three days against the Brooklyn Nets.
“We’re very, very grateful,” Ott said during the week overseas. “It’s amazing where basketball takes all of us. I wouldn’t be here without basketball in this country and the guys feel the same way. This is our first trip to China for a lot of them.”
The Suns won’t have much time to reflect on the visit, though.
Phoenix has a quick turnaround for its final preseason game Tuesday, Oct. 14, against the Los Angeles Lakes at 7 p.m., at Mortgage Matchup Center. The game will be televised locally on Arizona’s Family Sports.
The Suns split two games against the Nets in Macao, winning the first matchup, 132-127, Oct. 10 in overtime and losing the rematch, 111-109, Oct. 12, to fall to 2-1 in preseason play.
Flying back nearly 13 hours to Phoenix, the Suns wrap up their four-game preseason schedule at home against the Lakers, who they beat Oct. 3 in Palm Desert, 103-81.
The Suns haven’t played Jalen Green or Mark Williams, two key offseason acquisitions, for the first three preseason games. They are expected to make their Suns debut in the regular-season opener Oct. 22 against the Sacramento Kings at home.
Green experienced a left hamstring strain during training camp leading up to the first matchup against the Lakers. The Suns landed him along with Dillon Brooks and Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade.
Suns coach Jordan Ott said during pregame availability Jalen Green (hamstring) won’t play tonight against the Nets in China.
“His goal is still the same. Just to be ready for opening night.”
Green has yet to play in the preseason.
Looks like he got in a pregame workout based… pic.twitter.com/SLYtfVEo1H
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 12, 2025
Playing in all 82 regular-season games in each of his last two seasons, Green has been participating in practice and pregame workouts.
“His goal is still the same,” Ott said before the Oct. 12 game against the Nets in China. “Just to be ready for opening night.”
The Suns have had Williams on an intentional plan since he arrived in Phoenix on July 1, with a heavy focus on improving strength and flexibility in hopes of having him play a substantial number of games this season.
Williams has played a total of 106 games in his first three NBA seasons. The Suns traded two first-round picks and guard Vasa Micic to Charlotte for the 7-foot Williams and a second-round selection.
“I’ll be playing opening night,” Williams said before the Suns played the Lakers on Oct. 3. “I’ll be ready for that.”
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.
Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.