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Source: http://brightsideofthesun.com/rss/index.xml

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<title type="text">Bright Side Of The Sun</title>
<subtitle type="text">Your best source for quality Phoenix Suns news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.</subtitle>
<updated>2025-11-07T23:17:06+00:00</updated>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/rss/index.xml</id>
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<entry>
<author>
<name>John Voita</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[We saw Jalen Green at his best, now the question is how often]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/92163/jalen-green-debut-performance-consistency-analysis-highlights-vs-clippers-basketball" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92163</id>
<updated>2025-11-07T18:17:06-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-07T18:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[When you’re watching a good basketball game, your heartbeat starts to climb. It’s part of the rush, part of the stress, part of why we watch in the first place. The game pulls you in, and before long, your pulse matches the pace on the floor.  On Thursday night in Phoenix, it raced right along […]]]></summary>
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/imagn-27525451.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
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When you’re watching a good basketball game, your heartbeat starts to climb. It’s part of the rush, part of the stress, part of why we watch in the first place. The game pulls you in, and before long, your pulse matches the pace on the floor. 
On Thursday night in Phoenix, it raced right along with Jalen Green as he attacked the rim, showing flashes of everything fans hoped he could be. Next to Devin Booker, that vision finally felt real.
Then the game ends. The heart rate settles. Life goes back to normal. The next day, you think about what you saw. Jalen Green putting up 29 points, hitting 6-of-13 from deep, finishing with a +30 in only 23 minutes. It was the kind of performance that makes you believe in what could be.
Still, it’s on us to stay grounded. That’s what being a fan of this team means right now. It’s an exercise in balance, in managing expectations, in understanding growth for what it is. This season will test that patience, but it will also show us who this team can become.
So yeah, I was fired up yesterday, heart pounding through those Jalen Green highlights. I’m still feeling good today. But now comes the reset, the reminder of where we are and where this thing could actually go.
After that kind of performance, I decided to take a little trip through some Houston Rockets boards and social media threads. I wanted to see what their fans thought of it. Green spent four seasons there, 307 games in Rockets red, so their perspective means something.
Most of what I saw wasn’t surprise. It was pride. They were happy to see him shine in his debut here. Over and over, though, one theme kept popping up. It was never about whether Jalen Green had the talent. It was whether he could find consistency. That was always the challenge. That was always the opportunity.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" data-conversation="none">Jalen never sucked. He was just inconsistent. He’ll have many more performances like this, but hopefully he’s more dependable. PHX can start to build something special if he is.— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaKidGowie/status/1986857775062991149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" data-conversation="none">This isn’t surprising. He would have off the wall games with the Rockets, dude looked like an MVP on those nights, but then he’d score 6 on 2/17 shooting. Nobody ever doubted if he was elite, he just has no consistency.— Hawthorne Hay (@HayHawthorne) <a href="https://twitter.com/HayHawthorne/status/1986864700114522354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" data-conversation="none">Solid.. it's gonna be consistency from now on as usual for him— ranoa (@zhaol1n) <a href="https://twitter.com/zhaol1n/status/1986665520230506720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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I did a little digging, combing through every game Jalen Green played in his four years with Houston. I charted his scoring totals, probably to a level no sane person should, and what I found backed up everything Rockets fans were saying. When you look at his game-by-game points, the pattern jumps out right away. It looks kind of like an EKG of your heartbeat during a Suns’ game. 
The highs are electric. The lows come more often than you’d expect.
There are stretches where he’s dialed in, stretches where he fades, and the overall view is one of inconsistency. Sure, there are a million possible reasons behind that. Changing roles, playing through injuries, learning new systems. I get all that. But the numbers still tell a story. He’s scored 30 or more points 51 times in his career, but he’s also finished with 15 or fewer in 107 games. That’s 35% of the time.
<img src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/J-Green-Career.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
I bring this up not as a critique, but as a reality check. 
Jalen Green is wildly talented. He’s explosive, athletic, and he’s going to bring something this team badly needs. But there will be nights when the shot doesn’t fall. Nights when he forces an early look instead of letting the play develop. Nights when he drives into traffic instead of finding an open shooter on the wing. We saw flashes of that in his debut too.
That’s where the challenge lies. With consistency, both in scoring and in feel. How he reads the floor, how he fits within the system, how he balances aggression with patience. The hope is that the peaks start to level out the valleys.
That’s the story of potential, really. It’s never about what you can do once, it’s about what you can do again and again when the lights hit and the defense adjusts. Jalen Green showed us something Thursday night, something real and worth getting excited about. But what comes next will matter more than what came first. 
If he can steady those swings, if he can turn flashes into habits, the Suns will have found the spark they’ve been chasing for years. Until then, we’ll ride the highs, brace for the lows, and keep that pulse steady. Because this might be the start of something that’s worth the wait.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>John Voita</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Grayson Allen keeps showing up while others get the shine]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/92152/grayson-allen-consistency-underrated-impact-reputation-transformation-fan-favorite-nba" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92152</id>
<updated>2025-11-07T11:51:55-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-07T13:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Fandom is a funny thing. You watch your team, take in their highs and lows, and somewhere along the way, you start forming a bond with certain players. You see them hit a big shot when it matters or note the effort they display, and something about that sticks. It builds a quiet kind of […]]]></summary>
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Fandom is a funny thing. You watch your team, take in their highs and lows, and somewhere along the way, you start forming a bond with certain players. You see them hit a big shot when it matters or note the effort they display, and something about that sticks. It builds a quiet kind of appreciation.
Over time, players move on. Trades happen, careers wind down, and all that’s left is how you remember them. You think back on the moments they gave you and feel that mix of nostalgia and gratitude. You remember the sweat, you appreciate the effort, and you hold on the memory of what they did for your team.
Names like Lou Amundson, Leandro Barbosa, Danny Ainge, P.J. Tucker, or Jevon Carter. They weren’t the stars, but they left a mark. Players like that live in their own space, one that belongs to the fans.
The Phoenix Suns have one of those players right now, though the respect and appreciation haven’t caught up to the reality of what he brings. The consistency is there, but the recognition isn’t. It’s barely a whisper. His name comes up more in trade talk than in praise, mostly because he’s owed $16.9 million this year, making him the third-highest-paid player on the roster. Well, fourth if you count that $19.4 million still tied to Bradley Beal after the buyout.
He’s the kind of player who clocks in, does his job, and keeps things steady while everyone looks elsewhere. His contributions don’t always make the highlight reel, but they’re felt. His sacrifices show up in the details. He embodies everything that makes a fan favorite, even if the fans haven’t quite realized it yet.
That player is Grayson Allen.
<img src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/gettyimages-2175734009.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
As I sat in the third row of the Mortgage Matchup Center during shootaround yesterday, I couldn’t help but enjoy watching Grayson warm up. His focus, his rhythm, his ease. But what stood out most was his playfulness. The way he laughed with the staff rebounding for him, traded jokes with the trainers shadowing his movements, and carried himself with a lightness that made the whole scene feel effortless. 
There was a real joy in it. A guy who loves what he’s doing, even on a night when he hit the injury report earlier in the day with an illness. Shot after shot after shot, the net barely moved. Each make came with a grin, a quick comment, or a laugh shared across the court. 
Then he went out and did what Grayson Allen does. 7-of-13 from the field, 4-of-9 from deep, four assists, three rebounds, three steals, a block, and 18 points. He finished a +22. But the headlines pointed elsewhere. To Jalen Green’s debut, to the boos for Bradley Beal, to the relief Devin Booker must’ve felt finally sharing the scoring load.
No fanfare, no celebration. Just Grayson Allen doing what he does, contributing in ways that help the team win.
It’s probably not something you think about often. Honestly, neither do I, and that’s part of the point. We all overlook him. But Grayson Allen is now in his third season with the Phoenix Suns. That’s the longest stretch he’s spent with any team since entering the league as the 21st overall pick in the 2018 draft. He’s played 148 games here, ten more than his entire run in Milwaukee.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Grayson Allen is entering his 3rd season with the Suns, the longest stint of his career. 🎶1 yr in Utah 🐻2 in Memphis 🦌2 in Milwaukee 139 games in Phoenix so far…exactly one more than he played with the Bucks <a href="https://t.co/wwX1iIfvDy">pic.twitter.com/wwX1iIfvDy</a>— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarthVoita/status/1956406009200886133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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When he arrived, he carried a reputation. A “dirty player.” Too physical. Maybe even reckless. But since he’s been here, he’s been nothing but a grinder. A blue-collar guy who shows up with his lunch pail, clocks in, and does the work.
In his first season, he started 74 of the 75 games he played, hitting a league-best 46.1% from deep and posting a career-high 13.5 points per game. He did all that while stretching the limits of his role. In his second season, he appeared in 64 games but started only seven after the team brought in his former Duke teammate Tyus Jones, a move that cut into his minutes. Even then, he shot 42.6% from three and averaged 10.6 points per game. On a team that couldn’t find consistency, Grayson was the one who provided it.
This season, he’s started all nine games for the Suns. No one mentions that. We’re too busy checking the injury report to see what Jalen Green’s status is, or how Dillon Brooks’ soft tissue is holding up. But it’s Grayson Allen who’s been steady through it all. Consistent as ever.
Against the Clippers, he suited up while feeling under the weather and still delivered. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Have to give a ton of credit to Grayson Allen. He was sick as a dog yesterday – didn't even go to shoot around. Went to rest and get liquids in his body. Did everything he possibly could to play in that game and then he played and dropped 18 points. One of the differences with…— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/1986822101484073171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Through nine games, he’s playing 34.8 minutes per night, taking 13.4 shots, nine of them from deep, and averaging 16.6 points per game. All career highs. He’s also handing out 4.9 assists per game, another career best, while shooting 39.5% from three.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Grayson Allen this season: 16.6 PPG 4.9 APG 1.4 SPG 3.6 3PM Those are all career-highs. <a href="https://t.co/LLnyAs9vm0">pic.twitter.com/LLnyAs9vm0</a>— StatMuse (@statmuse) <a href="https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1986652855374172307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In short, Grayson Allen has done everything to earn a spot in the heart of Suns fandom. He came to Phoenix with a reputation and turned it into a home. Now the second-longest tenured player on the roster, he’s been reliable, durable, and quietly impactful. You’d think we’d talk about him more.
He does everything well, does it consistently, and throws in the occasional highlight that makes you double take. Who knew Grayson Allen could get that kind of lift on layups and dunks? I sure didn’t. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Suns Grayson Allen stats/highlights vs. Clippers 18 PTS (7-13 FG, 4-9 3P) 4 AST 3 REB 3 STL 1 BLK 69 TS% +22 (+/-) <a href="https://t.co/y6m8wUrYYr">pic.twitter.com/y6m8wUrYYr</a>— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenchHighlights/status/1986799719410991538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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For someone I used to despise at Duke, back when he was tripping guys and smirking his way through games, he’s turned into someone I genuinely respect.
He’s become a player defined by effort, by steadiness, by the way he holds this team together when everything else feels uncertain. The grin, the grit, the quiet efficiency. Grayson Allen might not make headlines now, but one day we’ll look back and realize how much he mattered. Because in an era full of questionable moves, the trade that brought him here — sending Deandre Ayton to Portland — still feels like one of the best decisions of the Mat Ishbia era.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>John Voita</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Bright Side Baller: The first glimpse of Jalen Green was worth the wait]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/92046/jalen-green-debut-clippers-recap-devin-booker-highlights-bright-side-baller-nominees" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/92046/bright-side-baller-the-fight-showed-up-late-but-it-showed-up</id>
<updated>2025-11-06T23:38:53-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-07T07:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The anticipation rolling into Thursday night against the Clippers was real. Jalen Green was finally about to suit up, nine games into the season, and everyone wanted to see what it looked like. How would he fit in? How would the offense bend around him? What would it look like for Devin Booker to finally […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/gettyimages-2244899343.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
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The anticipation rolling into Thursday night against the Clippers was real. Jalen Green was finally about to suit up, nine games into the season, and everyone wanted to see what it looked like. How would he fit in? How would the offense bend around him? What would it look like for Devin Booker to finally have another scorer who could take pressure off his shoulders?
The Clippers came in short-handed without Harden or Kawhi, which only added to the intrigue. It felt like we were stepping into something new, something worth watching unfold.
We’re still trying to figure out what this team actually is. They haven’t been whole yet, so every new piece gives us a clearer picture. The addition of Green pulled the curtain back a little more, and what we saw Thursday night was a team that feels alive. Fast. Aggressive. Raw in the right ways. 
They played with a rhythm that made the crowd at the Mortgage Matchup Center buzz from tip-off. You could feel it. The noise swelled and rolled through the building, feeding the players, feeding the moment.
Green’s athleticism jumped off the screen, and the team fed off it like oxygen. His energy was contagious, his smile beaming like he’d been waiting his whole life for this stage. Ryan Dunn threw down dunks that rattled the floor, Grayson Allen hit corner threes that cracked the air open, and the offense started to hum. Booker didn’t need to put the team on his back and carry them. 
All I have to say? Once again? That was a fun game to watch. To absorb. To experience. 4-5? I’ll take it. Because we still have yet to see this team whole. Yet we’re starting to feel complete. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Bright Side Baller Season Standings</h2>
It wasn’t the greatest game for the Phoenix Suns against the Warriors on Tuesday night, but it was a season high for Devin Booker. And with 38 points, Booker solidified his third BSB of the year, tying him with Mark Williams for the team-high.
<img src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/Bright-Side-Baller.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,2.5925925925926,100,94.814814814815" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Bright Side Baller Nominees</h2>
Game 9 against the Clippers. Here are your nominees.
Jalen Green 29 points (10-of-20, 6-of-13 3PT, 3-of-5 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +30 +/-
Devin Booker 24 points (10-of-22, 3-of-7 3PT, 1-of-1 FT), 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, +11 +/-
Grayson Allen 18 points (7-of-13, 4-of-9 3PT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, +22 +/-
Royce O’Neale 17 points (6-of-11, 5-of-10 3PT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, +8 +/-
Mark Williams 13 points (4-of-8 FG, 5-of-6 FT), 10 rebounds, 2 steals, +18 +/-
Ryan Dunn 10 points (3-of-7, 1-of-3 3PT, 3-of-3 FT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +12 +/-
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
Time to cast your vote and tell us why!
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<div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16241559" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16241559&key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
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]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Matthew Lissy</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Game Recap: Suns wake up in the second half and bury the Clippers, 115 – 102]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-scores-results/92131/jalen-green-debut-clippers-game-recap-highlights-home-victory-115-102-analysis" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92131</id>
<updated>2025-11-06T23:36:12-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-06T23:36:12-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Scores" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The Phoenix Suns continue to look comfortable at home with a victory over the Clippers on Thursday night, winning 115-102 behind a second half in which they outscored Los Angeles 67-51. It was the debut of Jalen Green that took the Clippers by surprise, forcing them to make adjustments just to find any rhythm on […]]]></summary>
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The Phoenix Suns continue to look comfortable at home with a victory over the Clippers on Thursday night, winning 115-102 behind a second half in which they outscored Los Angeles 67-51.
It was the debut of Jalen Green that took the Clippers by surprise, forcing them to make adjustments just to find any rhythm on offense heading into the second half. Jalen was electric, scoring 29 points in 23 minutes played and setting the record for most three-pointers made in a Suns’ debut with 6.
The Suns had their hands full with Ivica Zubac, who tallied 16 points and three offensive rebounds in the first half. His size and presence in the paint were too much to handle, keeping the Clippers within striking distance heading into halftime. But he ended with 23 and 11 as he was neutralized in the final two quarters.
The Suns, who trailed 51-48 at the half, woke up and took control of the game behind Jalen Green and Devin Booker, who combined for a total of 53 points on the night. Their energy flipped the tempo, pushing Phoenix back into command with a fast-paced attack and defensive pressure that shut down the Clippers completely.
Phoenix is now 4-5 on the season and have won 3 of their last 4 games.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Game Flow</h2>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">First Half</h3>
Making up the first nine of the Suns’ 11 points to start the game, Booker and Green looked like a dynamic duo, hitting shots from both sides of the floor and attacking the rim. In Green’s first appearance as a Sun, the crowd buzzed with excitement, while Bradley Beal’s early touches were met with a chorus of boos.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Jalen Green's first points as a Phoenix Sun 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/VzLtVF1y12">pic.twitter.com/VzLtVF1y12</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1986619479829455300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Without Harden and Leonard, the game remained competitive through the first six minutes, as Ivica Zubac dominated the paint and held a two-point lead over the Suns heading into the first timeout. 
Leading the Clippers with 10 points to end the first quarter, Zubac continued to grab offensive boards and pound the Suns inside, specifically, Oso Ighodaro, who again found himself lost multiple times on defense. Trying to set screens and rolling into nonexistence space, Oso made a fun first quarter a little miserable.
The Suns found themselves on top of the Clippers 31-27 heading into the second quarter, behind Green’s eight points and Booker’s 11 points. Nearly a flawless quarter for both players. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Book club is in session 📚 Already 11 PTS in this first quarter for Uno. <a href="https://t.co/9B6HkwB7aJ">pic.twitter.com/9B6HkwB7aJ</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1986623650800484442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Suns opened the second quarter with a rough lineup featuring Nick Richards and Oso at the five and four. A string of low-IQ plays, turnovers, and poor shot selection quickly turned a solid start into a shaky 35-33 lead within the first three minutes of the quarter.
A slow, mucky game turned into a Clippers-style slugfest, as the Suns’ stagnant offense and mounting turnovers left them searching for a hot hand.
That was Green. Coming back into the game with about four minutes left till halftime, Green cleaned up real nice and hit some high-rising threes that landed the Suns back in front with a one-point lead with a minute left in the second quarter, until the Clippers snagged the lead back 51-48 at the break. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Second Half</h3>
Opening the second half on fire, the Suns — led by Royce O’Neale — started rattling the rims and taking back control from the Clippers. Their energy around the perimeter, finding the best shooter and the right shot, put Phoenix in a prime position to grab its biggest lead of the game at 61–55.
Exploding to the rim and taking the game into his own hands, Jalen Green helped the Suns attack the free-throw line — something they’ve struggled with this season. Going 3-for-3 from deep, Green’s eight points in the third quarter fueled a 12-point lead as the Suns began turning defense into massive offense.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Jalen Green has done more in 2 minutes than Beal did for the Suns in 2 seasons 😂 <a href="https://t.co/2JST5Er4ep">pic.twitter.com/2JST5Er4ep</a>— Gabe Guerrero (@GabeGuerrero03) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabeGuerrero03/status/1986620229750038808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Suns began to pull away by the end of the third quarter. After taking some time to find their rhythm with Jalen Green in the mix, his impact became undeniable, sparking the rest of the roster to step up and help push Phoenix ahead by 20.
After committing 11 turnovers in the first half, the Suns tightened up and gave the ball away only twice in the third quarter. That shift in control provided the momentum they needed to carry an 88–74 lead into the fourth.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Grayson beat the quarter buzzer with a couple seconds to spare 🚨 <a href="https://t.co/WnNcWFhnXB">pic.twitter.com/WnNcWFhnXB</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1986645331967418759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Fans were hyped, and the Suns were playing electric, blowing the Clippers out of the building and grabbing their fourth win of the season, 115-102.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Up Next</h2>
It’s these same Clippers on Saturday night, this time at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. 
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Matthew Lissy</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Game Thread: Clippers (3-4) @ Suns (3-5)]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-game-threads/92104/game-thread-clippers-3-4-suns-3-5" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92104</id>
<updated>2025-11-06T13:20:54-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-06T20:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Game Threads" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Game 9.]]></summary>
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Game 9.<a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-game-threads/91921/game-thread-suns-3-4-warriors-4-3#comments"></a>

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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>John Voita</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Bradley Beal’s return marks closure, Jalen Green’s debut marks hope]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/92119/nba-jalen-green-debut-bradley-beal-clippers-bradley-beal-return-jordan-ott-devin-booker-analysis" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92119</id>
<updated>2025-11-06T17:46:48-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-06T17:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[There are certain moments in an NBA season that grab you, the kind that pull you in and make you feel like the whole grind is worth it. Opening night. A Christmas game. A late-season matchup that could swing playoff seeding. The return of a familiar face. The debut of someone new. Those are the […]]]></summary>
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There are certain moments in an NBA season that grab you, the kind that pull you in and make you feel like the whole grind is worth it. Opening night. A Christmas game. A late-season matchup that could swing playoff seeding. The return of a familiar face. The debut of someone new. Those are the checkpoints that remind you where you are and why you care.
For the Phoenix crowd on Thursday night, two of those moments collide under one roof. The Los Angeles Clippers roll into the Mortgage Matchup Center for a divisional clash, and with them comes the return of Bradley Beal as well as the debut of Jalen Green.
Beal spent two seasons in the Valley, a stretch that feels longer when you remember what those years were like. Two seasons. 106 games. 91 starts. 17.6 points a night on 50/40/81 splits. The numbers say he was solid. The payroll says otherwise. He earned $96.9 million across those two seasons, then collected another $96.1 million on his way out the door via buyout. That’s $193 million for two years of work (and $105,307 per point scored), a figure that will forever echo in franchise conversations.
So as he steps back onto that floor, there’s no real venom for Beal himself. It’s what he came to represent. A costly chapter in a long book of missteps, one that fans are ready to move beyond. 
Then there’s the flip side, the one that carries a little spark of promise. The debut of Jalen Green. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Injury Update: Jalen Green (right hamstring) is probable for tomorrow’s game against LAC. <a href="https://t.co/UGOAnx3k6b">pic.twitter.com/UGOAnx3k6b</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1986229921140855129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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He’s listed as probable, set to make his first appearance in purple and orange since arriving from Houston this past June. The former No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft feels like the fresh page in a story that’s been begging for a new chapter. He’s 100 days shy of 24, filled with that kind of raw energy you can’t coach, built to attack the rim and collapse a defense before it even knows what hit it. People will say the headline tonight is Bradley Beal’s return, but for me, it’s the first look at Jalen Green that has my attention.
The start to this season has felt like a sputtering engine. The schedule hasn’t been kind, and the injuries haven’t helped. Green hasn’t played. Dillon Brooks has missed time. Mark Williams sat out a short stretch. The result is a team still waiting to see its true starting five share the floor. It’s not unique, not in today’s NBA, where health is a luxury few teams hold onto. 
But even through all that, there’s been something admirable about this group. They fight. They claw. They drive hard to the rim, shoot with confidence from deep, and play defense with purpose. There’s grit here, the kind that gives you hope that once everything clicks, this team might be something worth believing in.
Enter Jalen Green.
What has me most curious as this new chapter begins with Jalen Green is how Jordan Ott decides to unleash him. It’s still early in Ott’s coaching journey, but I’ve been impressed with the way he’s handled this team. There’s thought behind every adjustment, every lineup tweak. He’s reading the room, feeling out the opponent, and shaping his plan on the fly. Some nights it works beautifully. Other nights, they’re buried 20 points deep before they start swinging back. But they do swing back.
So the question now becomes how Ott integrates a talent like Green. A guard who might pull the trigger on a few too many threes, but who fits perfectly with the team’s mission of attacking the rim with force. There’s something electric about that idea. The pace, the spacing, the chaos. Green gives Ott a new variable, a live wire in the system. And watching how he’s used — how he’s tested, how he stretches this offense — might be the most fascinating subplot of this young season.
Devin Booker has been on another level to start this season, playing the best opening stretch in franchise history. He’s in rare company right now, and he’s done it without a real running mate. No consistent second scorer to lean on. That’s what Jalen Green brings to the table.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Players in NBA history thru their first 8 games of a season with: 30+ PPG 5+ APG 50+ FG% 40+ 3FG% ▪️ Devin Booker (this season) ▪️ Stephen Curry (twice) ▪️ Larry Bird (1984-85) ▪️ Michael Jordan (1992-93) <a href="https://t.co/tJXdBs43vC">pic.twitter.com/tJXdBs43vC</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1986206224598413758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Booker looked a little out of rhythm early, trying to figure out his spots, learning how to play off new teammates while still finding ways to set them up. Now, with Green in the mix, that calculus changes. Green can attack the rim, collapse a defense, and draw attention that frees up space for Booker to breathe. For a team that thrives on paint touches, adding a player built to live there feels like the missing link.
Booker’s gravity has already opened doors for everyone else. The Suns rank 2nd in the league in wide-open three-point attempts at 25.4 per game, hitting 37.4% of them. Now they add another player who can bend the defense in his own way, which means more open looks, more rhythm shots, and a more dangerous offense. The trick, as always, is whether the role players can capitalize.
When they do, nights start to look a lot like Tuesday against Golden State. It wasn’t Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler lighting the Suns up. It was the supporting cast, feasting on clean looks created by star gravity. That’s what Phoenix hopes to recreate with Booker and Green. Two players who can draw the defense, move the floor, and make life easier for everyone else.
Defensively, Jalen Green might be the most intriguing piece to watch as he settles into the rotation. He’s never been known for that side of the ball. According to B-Ball Index, his perimeter isolation defense last season in Houston graded out as a D+, and while he ranked in the 92nd percentile as an off-ball chaser, there were still plenty of lapses. He’s not the kind of guy you trust yet to lock someone down for 48 minutes.
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But the tools are there. The athleticism is there. And this is where the influence of Jordan Ott’s system could show its value. If the practices have been sharp, if Green buys into his assignments and understands the rotations, there’s a real chance we see him turn a corner defensively. He doesn’t need to be an elite stopper, he just needs to stay connected, compete, and let his athleticism work for him.
The Suns have built a defensive identity on effort, communication, and trust. If Green taps into that, if he plays within the framework rather than freelancing, we might see a version of him that Houston never did — one that finally matches his physical gifts with purpose on both ends of the floor. It will take time, but looking for the mile markers will be part of the allure.
The debut of Jalen Green feels electric, the kind of moment that hums with possibility. His arrival adds another layer to a team that’s already full of intrigue. His success, though, runs deeper than the box score. It’s woven into the long-term fabric of the franchise. Who he becomes as a player could shape the front office’s decisions this season, influence the trade deadline, and even steer the course of next summer. 
All of that starts tonight, under the lights in downtown Phoenix, when Green takes the floor against the Clippers and begins to write his first chapter in this new era. And where we bid adieu to the previous chapter, one filled with failed expectations, bloated contracts, and IDGAF energy.

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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Matthew Lissy</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Game Preview: Clippers face Suns with each looking to turn things around]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-game-previews/92094/game-preview-clippers-face-suns-with-each-looking-to-turn-things-around" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92094</id>
<updated>2025-11-06T13:02:40-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-06T13:02:40-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Game Previews" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Who: Los Angeles Clippers (3-4) @ Phoenix Suns (3-5) When: 7:00pm Arizona Time Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ Watch: Suns+, Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports Listen: KMVP 98.7, KSUN Simply put, it has been an enjoyable year thus far. Only eight games have been played, and the Phoenix Suns return home looking to […]]]></summary>
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Who: Los Angeles Clippers (3-4) @ Phoenix Suns (3-5)
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Watch: Suns+, Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7, KSUN
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
Simply put, it has been an enjoyable year thus far. Only eight games have been played, and the Phoenix Suns return home looking to continue their good fortune against the Los Angeles Clippers. Sitting at 3-5 and currently on the fringes of the Play-In picture if the playoffs started today, it might sound strange to call this season enjoyable…but it is. This Suns team can surprise you every night with how much fight and talent they truly have.
What makes this team entertaining isn’t perfection; it’s the unpredictability. One night, it’s a defensive showcase; the next, a shootout fueled by young players trying to prove themselves. Through injuries, lineup changes, and growing pains, the Suns have shown flashes of the chemistry and grit that could turn them into a real threat as the season unfolds.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Probable Starters</h2>
<img src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/Game-Matchup.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Injury Report</h2>
Suns
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Dillon Brooks – OUT (Core Muscle Strain)</li>
<li>Jalen Green – PROBABLE (Right Hamstring Strain)</li>
</ul>
Clippers
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>James Harden– OUT (Personal)</li>
<li>Kawhi Leonard– OUT (Ankle)</li>
<li>Jordan Miller — OUT (Hamstring)</li>
<li>Kobe Sanders — OUT (Knee)</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">What to Watch For</h2>
The return of Bradley Beal to Phoenix is intriguing because we all know he’s going to go off, right? He’s averaging just eight points, and with James Harden out tonight, you know he’ll be looking to find his stroke. 
If the Suns can contain that and take advantage of Kawhi Leonard’s absence, this should be a game they can control, so long as they don’t let the Clippers jump out to a 20-point lead without their two stars.
With Beal returning, one thing to watch early is whether Suns fans decide to boo or not. Personally, I couldn’t care less about his return, or even Kevin Durant’s at this point. The excitement surrounding this new, fun version of the Suns has washed away most of my negative feelings toward former players. Well, except for DeAndre Ayton. I still don’t like him.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Should Suns fans boo the return of Bradley Beal tonight?— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrightSideSun/status/1986442188985934269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why boo when you have something to cheer for? Tonight is slated to be our introduction to Jalen Green, who the Suns acquired last June. My assumption is that, similar to Mark Williams, he will come off the bench in a minutes-restriction capacity. But it will be nice to see what he looks like on the floor.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Key to a Suns Win</h2>
This year’s Suns team doesn’t look like the kind that would take a night off just because Leonard and Harden are out. They don’t have the luxury of letting games slip away. This is a chance to steal a win from a Clippers team that could be battling for a final play-in spot at the end of the season. Every game matters, and a Devin Booker–led Suns squad needs to come out aggressive and set the tone early.
Getting off to a fast start means building a 10–20 point cushion and keeping control, with little concern about a Clippers comeback when most of their offense is sitting on the bench. The Suns’ challenge tonight isn’t just about execution, it’s about focus. Playing down to an undermanned team has been a bad habit in the past, but if they want to prove this season is different, these are the games they have to dominate from the opening tip.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Prediction</h2>
Suns win, running away with it in the early fourth quarter.
Suns 115, Clippers 98
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Rod Argent</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Inside the Suns: Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, offensive and defensive team ratings]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-fantables/92079/inside-the-suns-devin-booker-dillon-brooks-offensive-and-defensive-team-ratings" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92079</id>
<updated>2025-11-05T23:04:05-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-06T07:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Fantables" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news. Fantable Questions of the Week Q1: After the first 7 games, Devin Booker is leading the Suns […]]]></summary>
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Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Fantable Questions of the Week</h4>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Q1: After the first 7 games, Devin Booker is leading the Suns in 3-point percentage (45.7%) and is 12th in the NBA in 3-pointers made this season (21). What are your thoughts on this?</h3>
Ashton: Still, too many turnovers. But I may be a little harsh. In this regard being that he is taking the majority of the shots while playing two positions.
This question is about Book’s three-point shooting. He needs to shoot fewer of them, not more. It has become a joke on this board that he can make seven of them. That is probably the worst prop bet in the history of prop bets.
I can use recency bias to show he went 1-5 against GSW but put up great numbers as a facilitator while not playing “Hero Book” outside the arc. There are only so many Chefs in the NBA.
OldAz: In many ways, I think we are starting to see (once again) the best version of Booker. He is being more assertive offensivel,y but also playing better than ever with his teammates. One of my main complaints in past years is that Book treats other stars like CP3 or KD like teammates, but younger players like role players that are beneath him. 
Now it seems like he is choosing to trust both his teammates and the process more and drive the team’s offensive concepts. This and Jordon Ott’s offense has resulted in a surprising number of open 3s where the ball movement has resulted in Book left wide open for a rhythm catch and shoot 3. Making those helps get Book in rhythm, and we all know how he can get when his shot starts falling. I see him more this yea,r maintaining those hot streaks within the flow of the offense.
This obviously still has room to grow for him, as evidenced by the end of the recent loss, where he closed the game with 2 contested missed threes, where either one being a bucket (of any type) secures a Suns win. I am encouraged by his team play the rest of the gam,e so hopefully he will grow even more to trust the offense and work to get better shots even in crunch time in the future.
Rod: I don’t think Book can maintain that three-point percentage over the season, but I also think that part of it being so high now is that he’s getting shots off screens and set plays rather than having to create his own three-point looks. I credit Ott’s offense as much as Book for it being that high and believe that, while it should drop as the season goes on, it very well could also still stay high enough for this to be one of the best three-point shooting years of his career if everyone sticks to the plan.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Q2: Over the last 5 games (which includes 3 losses), the Suns’ defensive rating was 10th in the NBA, with an offensive rating of 19th and a net rating of 12th. Over the last 2 games, all three ratings were in the top 10. What are your thoughts on this?</h3>
Ashton: With Inside the Suns, we are dealing with questions that encompass a timeline that encompasses multiple games. Trust me, this was much easier in the summer when we were all twiddling our thumbs.
The win over the Spurs did the unthinkable. It breathed hope into our fan expectations of what the Sun’s team could be. But it turned out to be a cool wind against GSW on what looked like a Hot Sun’s team on Sunday. Granted, GSW is a pretty damn good team. Spurs should be. And Memphis is a hot mess.
No Ja Morant please.
So Rod is going to make me look up the stats. Ugg, I hate stats. That is why I tried to get AlanS to do them for me (he declined). I will take the cheap way out and let all of you run the charts.
As of today (11/05), the Suns rank 23rd in defensive efficiency. That is not good, no matter what spin you put on it.
OldAz: You can see it coming together, and the stretches of good offense and good defense are extending for longer periods. This includes some stellar stretches of defense against Utah and San Antonio, and it is clear Ott believes in active and aggressive defense. Even in the loss to the Warriors, where their experience allowed them to counter the Suns’ defensive switches, you saw the Suns continue to work hard on the defensive end. 
I think the early ratings show the potential if they keep up this emphasis and grow together around this defensive energy. I continue to caution folks, however, that growth is rarely linear and we can expect some regression and stretches of struggle. They are still a young(ish) team and will get even younger as the rookies get their chances to play. As long as the effort and energy are there, we will need to be patient and anticipate good things in the future from a team truly focused on team defense.
Rod: Yeah, it’s a small sample size, but it shows me that this team is capable of playing top-10 defense on any given night if not for the entire season. At the very least, it tells me that the players are getting comfortable with Ott’s schemes, especially those on defense. While these numbers are good to see, they obviously don’t actually prove anythin,g although it is encouraging to see them get better in recent the more games.
Hopefully they can keep improving as the season goes on and prove these early, small sample size stats aren’t just a fluke.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Q3: Dillon Brooks is leading the team in FGAs (19.3) and 3-pt attempts (10.3) per game but 12th in FG percentage (37.3%) and 7th in 3-pt percentage (29.0%). What are your thoughts on this?</h3>
Ashton: That he actually plays?
Arizona has something called the “Lemon Law”. It is meant to protect buyers from purchasing bad motor vehicles. There is no cooling-off period, from what I read.
Right now, it seems like Houston sold the Suns a bad receipt of goods on the KD trade. Green is injured, and everybody is lying on his timeline. Brooks is injured, and it seems like everyone is lying on his timeline. Heck, KM needs minutes, and he parked in the back section of the dealership.
I would invoke the Lemon Law to describe this question. Ran great out of the lot but had to be towed back in later.
OldAz: Many are seeing the recent improvement of the team (offensively and defensively) and correlating it to Brooks being out of the lineup. Many go much further and claim there is causation here, but I think that is a mistake. I 100% chalk this up the the lack of time playing together in the early games. That first week or so, you could see the offense stagnate and everyone standing around looking at one another, not knowing what to do. Often the ball would end up in Brooks hands late in the clock, and he was stuck forcing up a shot.
Recently, the offense has flowed much better with all combinations on the floor, and I have no doubt Brooks (and Green) will fit into this just fine as they get back to playing. This is simply a product of familiarity and chemistry developing. Now, if Brooks returns and the recent ball movement starts to regress (on a consistent basis) and the ball sticks again with Brooks chucking up bad shots, then those claiming causation instead of correlation will have a lot more evidence and it will become hard to ignore. I don’t believe this will be the case, as Brooks has been a part of winning basketball before and has shown an ability to play his role well in multiple situations.
Rod: My main problem with it that he’s shot (and missed) way too many threes. Ott’s philosophy is take the shot whenever you’ve got a good look at the basket but I think other teams could possibly bait Brooks into taking threes until he starts making them at a good clip. If Brooks keeps firing them up even though he’s missing way too many, it’s certainly going to hurt the team and I think Ott would have to consider cutting some of Brooks’ minutes and/or bringing him off the bench instead of starting him.
With that said, I don’t think he was shooting so much out of ego or selfishness. In the three games he played in before his injury, the Suns fell way behind in the 1st half, and shooting – and making – threes was the quickest way to cut into that deficit. In the 1st game, he shot poorly from three, but the Suns still won. In the 2nd game, although the Suns lost, he actually made 50% of his threes (5-10), but then shot poorly from three again in the 3rd game. All in all, I think it’s still way too early to do more than maybe keep a cautious eye on his attempts and percentage once he returns.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quotes of the Week</h2>
“I think we’ve been playing really hard. I think we just need to play a little bit smarter sometimes with a lot of our fouls and giving teams free throws.” – Devin Booker
“It’s always a good time when the ball is popping around, everybody’s sharing it. It starts on the defensive end and getting out in transition and keeping the ball moving, keeping them in close outs, and still being aggressive to get up a lot of threes too.” – Devin Booker
“When you get a guy who has done so much in his NBA career to get out there, pick up full court, that shows. He doesn’t have to talk anything. That’s leadership.” – Jordan Ott on Devin Booker
“He’s been doing a great job of just setting the table, picking and choosing his spots when it’s time to score. He’s an elite player in the NBA, man. Doesn’t get much better than that.” – Collin Gillespie on Devin Booker
“The greatest way to enhance your confidence is to prepare and he’s put the work in.” – Jordan Ott on Ryan Dunn
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Suns Trivia/History</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Players in NBA history thru their first 8 games of a season with: 30+ PPG 5+ APG 50+ FG% 40+ 3FG% ▪️ Devin Booker (this season) ▪️ Stephen Curry (twice) ▪️ Larry Bird (1984-85) ▪️ Michael Jordan (1992-93) <a href="https://t.co/tJXdBs43vC">pic.twitter.com/tJXdBs43vC</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1986206224598413758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
On November 7, 1992, the Suns celebrated their 30th Anniversary season by moving into the America West Arena, where they opened their season with a 111-105 win over the LA Clippers. Charles Barkley (acquired by trade after the end of the previous season) wowed the Phoenix home crowd with a near triple-double (37 points, 21 rebound,s and 8 assists) in his first regular season game as a Sun.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Devin Booker is the first Phoenix Sun to total 200+ points and 50+ assists in the first seven games of the season 👏 <a href="https://t.co/xkeLcK0mra">https://t.co/xkeLcK0mra</a> <a href="https://t.co/AS7eGloUss">pic.twitter.com/AS7eGloUss</a>— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) <a href="https://twitter.com/nbastats/status/1985197973173932464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
On November 10, 1990, the Suns routed the Denver Nuggets 173-143 to tie a record held by the 1959 Boston Celtics for the most points scored in a non-overtime game (the record still stands). The Suns had 107 points in the first half, breaking the mark of 90 set by the Nuggets three days earlier in a 161-153 loss to San Antonio. Suns Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons also picked up his 700th career coaching victory, becoming, at that time, only the seventh coach in the history of the league to reach that mark. The Suns also set a record for the most assists in a half with 33 and ended the game with 50 total assists. Cedrick Ceballos led the Suns in scoring with 32 points off the bench in just 23 minutes.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Our guys in a zombie apocalypse, who survives? 🧟 <a href="https://t.co/4sZHnqULyZ">pic.twitter.com/4sZHnqULyZ</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1985100576917733633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">This Week’s Schedule</h2>
Thursday, Nov 6 – Suns vs LA Clippers @ 7:00 PM (NBA TV) Saturday, Nov 8 – Suns @ LA Clippers @ 8:30 PM (ESPN) Monday, Nov 10 – Suns vs New Orleans @ 7:00 PM Wednesday, Nov 12 – Suns @ Dallas @ 6:30 PM
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Important Future Dates</h2>
Nov. 7 – NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament begins Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Feb. 5 – Trade deadline (3:00 pm ET) Feb. 13-15 – 2026 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, CA March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Holden Sherman</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Steve Kerr with high praise for Jordan Ott]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-news/92049/steve-kerr-with-high-praise-for-jordan-ott" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92049</id>
<updated>2025-11-05T12:28:36-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-05T18:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns News" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[People around the NBA are taking note of how Jordan Ott’s first year as an NBA head coach is going and complimenting him. Golden State Warriors Head Coach had high praise for the leaders of the Phoenix Suns yesterday. Before the Warriors beat the Suns 118-107 last night, the Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.brightsideofthesun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/11/gettyimages-2244522835.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
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People around the NBA are taking note of how Jordan Ott’s first year as an NBA head coach is going and complimenting him.
Golden State Warriors Head Coach had high praise for the leaders of the Phoenix Suns yesterday. Before <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-scores-results/91981/warriors-118-107-loss-booker-38-points-golden-state-bench-dominates-nba-recap-analysis">the Warriors beat the Suns 118-107 last night</a>, the Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA championship head coach was asked by The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin about Devin Booker’s strong start to the season, and Kerr made sure to give Ott some credit for it.
“He’s playing great and I think they’re just well organized,” Kerr stated. “I think (he’s) is doing a great job. Their staff has them playing to their talent. The style of play is very purposeful.” High praise.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">"He's playing great and I think they're just well organized. I think (Suns first-year coach Jordan Ott) is doing a great job. Their staff has them playing to their talent. The style of play is very purposeful." Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Suns star guard Devin Booker, who is… <a href="https://t.co/nJdaaaxK84">pic.twitter.com/nJdaaaxK84</a>— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1985890508661801342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Booker, 29, is averaging career-highs in points, field goal, and three-point percentage to start the season, and is only behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for most 30-point games in the 2025-26 campaign. He’s doing so within a new system, one deployed by the rookie head coach. 
As Kerr noted, Ott has this team playing to its strengths. Phoenix is averaging 42.5 three-point attempts per game, fourth-most in the NBA, while hitting 37.4%, good for ninth-best overall. They’re also taking 22.1 shots per game in the non-restricted paint area, the second-most in the league, and rank fourth in field goal percentage at the rim at 73.9%. The team is attacking inside with purpose, averaging 25.0 paint touches per night, sixth-most in the NBA, a big jump from last season when they ranked third-worst at 18.3.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Suns by the numbers under Jordan Ott: 🏀 42.5 3PA per game (4th most in NBA)⁰🏀 37.4% from deep (9th)⁰🏀 22.1 FGA in non-restricted paint (2nd)⁰🏀 73.9% FG in restricted area (4th best) 🏀 25.0 paint touches per game (6th most, up from 18.3 last year, which was 28th)— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarthVoita/status/1986123373257367712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
The Suns are 3-5 to start the season, and all their wins have come at home, but despite that, one of the most decorated and iconic coaches in NBA history had strong praise for the Suns’ first-year man.
What does Kerr’s strong words for Ott show you about how other head coaches are viewing their new peer? 
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>SoSaysJ</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[The steady heartbeat of experience still belongs to Royce O’Neale]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/92029/the-steady-heartbeat-of-experience-still-belongs-to-royce-oneale" />
<id>https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/?p=92029</id>
<updated>2025-11-06T12:21:09-05:00</updated>
<published>2025-11-05T15:00:00-05:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com" term="Suns Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[At 32-years-old, Royce O’Neale is the oldest member of the Phoenix Suns.  Entering his 9th season in the NBA, O’Neale has been a model of consistency through his career. O’Neale’s 600 regular-season games played rank third in the NBA since he entered the league in 2017-18, trailing only Buddy Hield (632) and Harrison Barnes (607).  […]]]></summary>
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At 32-years-old, Royce O’Neale is the oldest member of the Phoenix Suns.  Entering his 9th season in the NBA, O’Neale has been a model of consistency through his career.
O’Neale’s 600 regular-season games played rank third in the NBA since he entered the league in 2017-18, trailing only Buddy Hield (632) and Harrison Barnes (607).  So, availability has never been an issue for the former Baylor Bear.
Back to that consistency thing. O’Neale has shot at least 35.6% from three in each of his NBA seasons and, generally, has seen his scoring improve year after year during his career. Perhaps not surprisingly, then, last year was O’Neale’s best statistical season from a scoring perspective, averaging 9.1 PPG on 42.3/40.6/73.1 splits.  Nothing that jumps off the page, but exactly what a player in his role needs to do.
O’Neale has continued that improvement through the early part of this season.  Through 7 games, Royce O’Neale is averaging a career-high 12.7 points per game on a career-best 42.4% from deep.  And while the number of games is a small sample size, the 3PA per game is not. O’Neale is averaging a career high of 8.4 attempts per game. And the clip with which he has been making three-pointers put him first in Suns history for 3PM through the first 7 games of a season.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">The most 3PM thru the first 7 games of a season in franchise history: 1. Royce O’Neale – 25 (this season) T-2. Grayson Allen – 24 (this season) T-2. Jason Richardson – 24 (2009-10) <a href="https://t.co/QU9FMfnRGj">pic.twitter.com/QU9FMfnRGj</a>— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1985193712805380111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
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(Through 8 games, now, Grayson Allen has taken the lead.)
O’Neale has been, per usual, instrumental on the defensive side of the ball, also.  He is averaging a career high in steals (1.7) and <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/suns-analysis/91867/wembanyama-trapped-anti-wemby-defense-breakdown-spurs-vs-suns-analysis-nba-2025">played a significant role</a> in Victor Wembanyama having his worst game of the season against the Suns earlier this week.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Tonight the Phoenix Suns have done an excellent job of using (often) smaller defenders (Royce O'Neale Here) to get into the ball and disrupt Victor Wembanyama He is so physically imposing, but turning the catch & dribble into a contested rep gives you some chance at forcing an… <a href="https://t.co/wkGOa5sp3f">pic.twitter.com/wkGOa5sp3f</a>— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonLloydNBA/status/1985187416714387809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Of course, the start of this season has left the Suns short-handed, so O’Neale has seen a bump in minutes, too. He’s averaging a career-high 32.7 per game so far. Certainly, that has helped lead him to that career high in points, but there is something to be said about Royce taking advantage of those extra minutes.
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Ultimately, again, we are looking at a small sample size. But having a reliable three-point shooter off the bench who can contribute defensively and as a leader is valuable to a roster as young as the Phoenix Suns. And if O’Neale’s consistency continues, that creates value for him as a potential trade piece.  
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For the time being, let’s hope that, even if we see those minutes and opportunities decrease slightly as the Suns get the likes of Jalen Green back, O’Neale continues to take advantage of them.
Do it for the kids, unc.
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