DETROIT — The Phoenix Suns open preseason action Monday, Oct. 5, against the Detroit Pistons at 4 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.
Devin Booker and forward Dillon Brooks provided outlooks for the game, which can be seen on Arizona's Family (3TV) in the Phoenix area.
Brooks: Overall
“Play hard, play together, share basketball and see how our defense stands up to one of the best teams last year in the paint and rebounding.”
Booker: Specifically
“I think defense, rebound, and close in possession is, you know, a point of emphasis for us last year, and, you know, there's no better team to test it against the Pistons that play hard. They're top 5 and offensive rebounds last year. So, you know, defending the whole shot clock, communicating with each other and finishing possessions.”
Booker said
the majority of training camp has been focused on defending.
The Suns finished ninth in the NBA in defensive rating last season, but they were 13th from March 1 to the end of the 2025-26 regular season.
“If we're going to be a red group, communicating those reds loud and early, being a physical team, being the first to fight, all the things that help you win,” Booker added.
Here are three more things to watch Monday night.
Ighodaro getting the start
Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach are competing for the starting center position as Mark Williams will miss several months with a left shoulder injury (torn labrum).
Ighodaro will get the start, Monday, Suns coach Jordan Ott said.
“Remember they're young players, but all these possessions are valuable to us as we evaluate during the preseason into regular season,” Ott said. “We need both of them."
The Suns are starting Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges and Ighodaro in the preseason opener.
Pistons All-Star big Jalen Duren isn't playing. He just signed a five-year deal for $200 million deal with Detroit. The Pistons are looking to ramp him up for their season opener, Oct. 20, against the Boston Celtics.
He would've been a good test for Ighodaro and Maluach, but the Pistons are playing it smart with him.
"We've got a plan."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 5, 2026
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff on ramping up Jalen Duren, who just signed a $200M deal.
Said Duren is in great shape, but they're going to be patient with him.
Duren won't be available for tonight's preseason opener vs Phoenix Suns. #Suns #Pistons pic.twitter.com/FMOIYahwKr
Ighodaro and Maluach have been saying the right things. The competition is making each other better.
Ighodaro is a passer, screener and ball handler who can finish at the rim.
The Suns can run more of their perimeter offense with Ighodaro because he can serve as a hub, but Maluach puts pressure on the rim with his rolls and has 3-point range to give them a pick-and-pop element.
Phoenix may have different combinations with each player because they each have such different skill sets. Look to see who plays with each one.
Jordan Ott on Suns bigs Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach as Ighodaro will start tonight vs. Pistons: "Remember they're young players, but all these possessions are valuable to us as we evaluate during the preseason into regular season, we need both of them."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 5, 2026
Said Suns must find… pic.twitter.com/2r44L3XHJv
Third big?
Ott said the Suns are looking to find a third big to go along with Maluach and Ighodaro.
CJ Huntley is a two-way player in his second season, while Duop Reath is a training camp invite who is entering his fourth NBA season.
Ott added the Suns will look at a non-traditional five.
"That's a little bit in the preseason,” Ott said. “Who our third big is. Where do we go? We have young wings. Can we play with a non-traditional five a little bit, which will probably end up seeing today if the rotation goes accordingly.”
That could be Miles Bridges or Haywood Highsmith. Both have the bulk to guard bigger bodies.
Rookie Koa Peat may get a look in that non-traditional lineup as well, but this is more about who the Suns will keep on that 15-man roster between Highsmith, Huntley and Reath.
They could keep Huntley, sign Reath to a two-way contract, as this is the last year of eligibility for him to have one and release Huntley and have him play for their G League team, the Valley Suns, as the Suns did last season with Huntley.
Khaman Maluach and Duop Reath for 3. #Suns pic.twitter.com/Zt6IIVYbUc
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 5, 2026
Green, Bridges playmakers
Booker said during training camp that Jalen Green and Bridges are looking to provide playmaking this season.
Bridges may be more in transition, where he gets the rebound, pushes it and then looks to score or find someone. As for Green, more half-court when he attacks in the paint.
“I know Miles is an unselfish player,” Brooks said. “Does everything from the gritty stuff to hit the open 3. That's going to be key for our offense. And JG, once he figures out how to play-make in the offense, because he only had maybe 30, 40 games to play last year, he’s going to be able to find better holes to drive the lane, more shots for him as well. With those guys being our primary playmakers, they'll be able to get their shots on the back end.”
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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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns name starting big for preseason opener vs Pistons. What to watch
