PHOENIX – The mood in Phoenix is starting to improve after the Suns followed a four-game skid with back-to-back victories, including a win against the previously unbeaten San Antonio Spurs.
The quick turnaround has the Suns showing more confidence, playing with a smoother rhythm and getting a sense that things could come together.
Now the test is whether they can sustain the momentum on the road against a Western Conference foe whom they play Tuesday night that epitomizes both continuity and chaos, the Golden State Warriors, and back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Clippers.
They’re teams directly ahead of the Suns in the early Western Conference race.
Sunday night’s 130-118 win over the Spurs was, considering the opponent, the Suns’ most complete and satisfying victory of the season. It provided the best sample yet of the combination of precise shooting, patient ball movement and defensive discipline the Suns expected to play with in coach Jordan Ott’s first season.
“It was good for us,” Suns guard Collin Gillespie said. “I think we had like 30 assists, just finding pockets, finding guys in space, constant movement off the ball. So it was really good.”
The Suns also limited Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to a single-digit scoring performance, only the fifth time in his young career that Wembanyama has been limited to less than 10 points.
There were promising signs all around.
The Suns hit 14 out of 20 3-point attempts. Devin Booker controlled the tempo, scoring 28 points while handing out 13 assists. Grayson Allen and second-year wing Ryan Dunn each scored 17 points.
The victory backed up a 118-96 victory over Utah, which ended a four-game slide by the Suns. In these last two contests, the Suns displayed the characteristics of an unselfish, well-balanced team that they expected to be coming into the season.
And the Suns have begun to come together despite going without two key pieces, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. Dillon has been hampered by a groin strain and Green has yet to play this season because of a lingering hamstring issue.
Still, Ball movement has quickly become the hallmark of Phoenix’s identity under Ott, who took over in June and emphasized unselfish play from Day One.
The Suns’ recent surge in assists, an average of 32 in their last two wins, reflects Ott’s focus on creating high-quality shots. For now, those shots are coming from deep, as Phoenix is averaging 43.9 3-point attempts per game – the fourth highest mark in the NBA.
“It’s all about getting the best looks that fit our roster,” Ott said. “We’d love to get to the rim more, and that’ll probably change when Jalen Green is back, but we’ll take whatever high-quality shots we’re getting. Right now, we’re getting great 3s, and we’re going to stay aggressive.”
That trust Ott mentioned has become a theme. It’s a word that surfaced repeatedly throughout Monday’s media availability.
Gillespie, who’s averaging career highs across the board at 11.7 points, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals, credited that chemistry to both time and intention.
“It goes back to the trust thing, offensively and defensively,” Gillespie said. “Trusting guys to make the right play, getting off it at the right time. (Booker)’s been awesome at that, setting the table, picking and choosing when to score, when to make the right play. He’s an elite player in this league, man. Doesn’t get much better than that.”
Booker’s role as both scorer and facilitator has stabilized Phoenix’s offense. In his last two games, he’s totaled 22 assists to 10 turnovers, controlling tempo, manipulating defenses and creating rhythm for shooters like Royce O’Neale, who’s quietly become one of the Sun’s most efficient marksmen at 42.4% from deep.
“I mean, we’re definitely making the right plays,” O’Neale said. “With our spacing and everything, trying to get guys open, our constant movement, creating good looks. Devin and those guys create so many advantages for us.
“For us, it’s just taking advantage, shooting, making plays for somebody else or attacking the basketball.”
As bright as the offense has been, the Suns’ defense has demonstrated just as much promise.
Their relentless backcourt pressure – hounding ball-handlers, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities – is anchoring their turnaround. Over their last three games, Phoenix has allowed just 109.3 points per game, tied for the fourth fewest in the league during that span, and all without Brooks, one of their best defenders.
Ott pointed out how Phoenix’s aggressiveness has shortened opponents’ possessions and disrupted their timing.
“We’re looking to work the ball-handler, be aggressive, know that you have help behind and lower the shot clock,” Ott said. “The later the possession goes, the less efficient it becomes. That’s the goal: Make them test you.”
Maybe Ott best summed up the Suns approach on both ends of the floor when he was asked what he expects out of his club.
“Constant pressure,” Ott said. “Whether it’s offensive paint pressure, movement, defensive pressure, just that overall relentlessness. That’s what we’re going for, no matter who’s on the court.”
That relentless style starts with guards like Gillespie, who routinely picks up full court and pressures early.
“You’re just trying to turn them a few times in the backcourt, make them fumble the ball a little bit,” Gillespie said. “We talked about it in the Utah game, so much of offense is timing. If we take them off their timing, that changes everything.”
O’Neale added that Phoenix’s defensive tone is set by its stars.
“When (Booker) picks up full court, takes that challenge defensively, it sets the tone for everybody,” O’Neale said. “He’s one of the leaders on this team, and when he does that, everybody follows.”
While Booker and Allen headline the box score, Phoenix’s supporting cast has quietly been vital. Gillespie’s emergence as a steady two-way guard has provided depth and playmaking, while O’Neale’s shooting and positional versatility have stretched defenses.
Then there’s Dunn, the second year forward whose energy on both ends has injected life into the rotation with Green out. Gillespie praised Dunn’s maturity and confidence.
“He was super confident last year as a rookie, wanting to guard the best player every night,” Gillespie said. “It doesn’t shock me, he’s competitive, wants to challenge himself. Offensively he’s more confident now, but defensively he’s had that from Day One.”
That internal growth, from Gillespie’s composure to Dunn’s defensive hunger, has started to define this iteration of the Suns.
Now comes the measuring stick. Golden State awaits on Tuesday, bringing its signature blend of movement, misdirection and Steph Curry’s gravitational pull.
“They’ve got Steph, that’s one,” Gillespie said, smiling. “They’ve got older guys, been around the league, and a really good system. They do a lot of cross-screening, so we’ve got to be sharp on our off-ball switches, foul baiting, stuff like that. It’ll be a good challenge to see where we’re at.”
Ott echoed that sentiment, acknowledging both the difficulty and opportunity the matchup presents.
“It’s predicated on their movement and how fast they play in that environment,” Ott said. “It’s not a half-court set after set, it looks random, but they know what they’re doing. It’ll be a test, but the steps we’ve taken defensively the last couple games have put us in a good position. There’ll be a curveball or two, but it’s about how fast we can adjust.”
For a team still defining itself, Golden State’s constant motion offers the perfect test of discipline and chemistry, the very traits Phoenix has spent the past two weeks rediscovering.
At 3-4, the Suns aren’t pretending to be a finished product. Injuries to Green and Brooks have forced lineup adjustments and accelerated development for younger players. But what Ott and his group have built over the past two games is a foundation, not built on isolation or star reliance, but on shared responsibility.
“You want to be connected on both ends,” Ott said. “It’s about putting guys in spots they’re comfortable being aggressive in, knowing the rotations behind them. If they can feel that trust, that they have help behind, that’s what we’re aiming for.”
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After early skid, Phoenix Suns finding rhythm, building chemistry
George Lund, Cronkite News
November 4, 2025
PHOENIX – The mood in Phoenix is starting to improve after the Suns followed a four-game skid with back-to-back victories, including a win against the previously unbeaten San Antonio Spurs.
The quick turnaround has the Suns showing more confidence, playing with a smoother rhythm and getting a sense that things could come together.
Now the test is whether they can sustain the momentum on the road against a Western Conference foe whom they play Tuesday night that epitomizes both continuity and chaos, the Golden State Warriors, and back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Clippers.
They’re teams directly ahead of the Suns in the early Western Conference race.
Sunday night’s 130-118 win over the Spurs was, considering the opponent, the Suns’ most complete and satisfying victory of the season. It provided the best sample yet of the combination of precise shooting, patient ball movement and defensive discipline the Suns expected to play with in coach Jordan Ott’s first season.
“It was good for us,” Suns guard Collin Gillespie said. “I think we had like 30 assists, just finding pockets, finding guys in space, constant movement off the ball. So it was really good.”
The Suns also limited Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to a single-digit scoring performance, only the fifth time in his young career that Wembanyama has been limited to less than 10 points.
There were promising signs all around.
The Suns hit 14 out of 20 3-point attempts. Devin Booker controlled the tempo, scoring 28 points while handing out 13 assists. Grayson Allen and second-year wing Ryan Dunn each scored 17 points.
The victory backed up a 118-96 victory over Utah, which ended a four-game slide by the Suns. In these last two contests, the Suns displayed the characteristics of an unselfish, well-balanced team that they expected to be coming into the season.
And the Suns have begun to come together despite going without two key pieces, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. Dillon has been hampered by a groin strain and Green has yet to play this season because of a lingering hamstring issue.
Still, Ball movement has quickly become the hallmark of Phoenix’s identity under Ott, who took over in June and emphasized unselfish play from Day One.
The Suns’ recent surge in assists, an average of 32 in their last two wins, reflects Ott’s focus on creating high-quality shots. For now, those shots are coming from deep, as Phoenix is averaging 43.9 3-point attempts per game – the fourth highest mark in the NBA.
“It’s all about getting the best looks that fit our roster,” Ott said. “We’d love to get to the rim more, and that’ll probably change when Jalen Green is back, but we’ll take whatever high-quality shots we’re getting. Right now, we’re getting great 3s, and we’re going to stay aggressive.”
That trust Ott mentioned has become a theme. It’s a word that surfaced repeatedly throughout Monday’s media availability.
Gillespie, who’s averaging career highs across the board at 11.7 points, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals, credited that chemistry to both time and intention.
“It goes back to the trust thing, offensively and defensively,” Gillespie said. “Trusting guys to make the right play, getting off it at the right time. (Booker)’s been awesome at that, setting the table, picking and choosing when to score, when to make the right play. He’s an elite player in this league, man. Doesn’t get much better than that.”
Booker’s role as both scorer and facilitator has stabilized Phoenix’s offense. In his last two games, he’s totaled 22 assists to 10 turnovers, controlling tempo, manipulating defenses and creating rhythm for shooters like Royce O’Neale, who’s quietly become one of the Sun’s most efficient marksmen at 42.4% from deep.
“I mean, we’re definitely making the right plays,” O’Neale said. “With our spacing and everything, trying to get guys open, our constant movement, creating good looks. Devin and those guys create so many advantages for us.
“For us, it’s just taking advantage, shooting, making plays for somebody else or attacking the basketball.”
As bright as the offense has been, the Suns’ defense has demonstrated just as much promise.
Their relentless backcourt pressure – hounding ball-handlers, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities – is anchoring their turnaround. Over their last three games, Phoenix has allowed just 109.3 points per game, tied for the fourth fewest in the league during that span, and all without Brooks, one of their best defenders.
Ott pointed out how Phoenix’s aggressiveness has shortened opponents’ possessions and disrupted their timing.
“We’re looking to work the ball-handler, be aggressive, know that you have help behind and lower the shot clock,” Ott said. “The later the possession goes, the less efficient it becomes. That’s the goal: Make them test you.”
Maybe Ott best summed up the Suns approach on both ends of the floor when he was asked what he expects out of his club.
“Constant pressure,” Ott said. “Whether it’s offensive paint pressure, movement, defensive pressure, just that overall relentlessness. That’s what we’re going for, no matter who’s on the court.”
That relentless style starts with guards like Gillespie, who routinely picks up full court and pressures early.
“You’re just trying to turn them a few times in the backcourt, make them fumble the ball a little bit,” Gillespie said. “We talked about it in the Utah game, so much of offense is timing. If we take them off their timing, that changes everything.”
O’Neale added that Phoenix’s defensive tone is set by its stars.
“When (Booker) picks up full court, takes that challenge defensively, it sets the tone for everybody,” O’Neale said. “He’s one of the leaders on this team, and when he does that, everybody follows.”
While Booker and Allen headline the box score, Phoenix’s supporting cast has quietly been vital. Gillespie’s emergence as a steady two-way guard has provided depth and playmaking, while O’Neale’s shooting and positional versatility have stretched defenses.
Then there’s Dunn, the second year forward whose energy on both ends has injected life into the rotation with Green out. Gillespie praised Dunn’s maturity and confidence.
“He was super confident last year as a rookie, wanting to guard the best player every night,” Gillespie said. “It doesn’t shock me, he’s competitive, wants to challenge himself. Offensively he’s more confident now, but defensively he’s had that from Day One.”
That internal growth, from Gillespie’s composure to Dunn’s defensive hunger, has started to define this iteration of the Suns.
Now comes the measuring stick. Golden State awaits on Tuesday, bringing its signature blend of movement, misdirection and Steph Curry’s gravitational pull.
“They’ve got Steph, that’s one,” Gillespie said, smiling. “They’ve got older guys, been around the league, and a really good system. They do a lot of cross-screening, so we’ve got to be sharp on our off-ball switches, foul baiting, stuff like that. It’ll be a good challenge to see where we’re at.”
Ott echoed that sentiment, acknowledging both the difficulty and opportunity the matchup presents.
“It’s predicated on their movement and how fast they play in that environment,” Ott said. “It’s not a half-court set after set, it looks random, but they know what they’re doing. It’ll be a test, but the steps we’ve taken defensively the last couple games have put us in a good position. There’ll be a curveball or two, but it’s about how fast we can adjust.”
For a team still defining itself, Golden State’s constant motion offers the perfect test of discipline and chemistry, the very traits Phoenix has spent the past two weeks rediscovering.
At 3-4, the Suns aren’t pretending to be a finished product. Injuries to Green and Brooks have forced lineup adjustments and accelerated development for younger players. But what Ott and his group have built over the past two games is a foundation, not built on isolation or star reliance, but on shared responsibility.
“You want to be connected on both ends,” Ott said. “It’s about putting guys in spots they’re comfortable being aggressive in, knowing the rotations behind them. If they can feel that trust, that they have help behind, that’s what we’re aiming for.”
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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