Ripping the Zach Lowe special of “10 Things” here, no shame. But we are 10 games down in the 2025-26 NBA season. Here are 10 things I like so far for these 5-5 Phoenix Suns.
1. Devin Booker’s competitive edge
This one is important not only
in the short term, but in the long run as a leader by example. Devin Booker has that “snarl” and attitude that we all know and love again. I’m not saying it wasn’t there last year; it just didn’t make as many appearances as we would’ve liked.
He’s chirping at opponents, refs, and anyone who will hear it. It’s fun watching this version of Book. He’s got his swagger back.
2. Mark Williams’ presence on both ends of the floor
I paid attention to Williams in Charlotte and read just about everything their fans said about him. There was no denying he was impactful when healthy for them, but there were defensive lapses in his game that could be attributed to the environment more than individual performance.
He has shown excellent timing and the ability to contest shots and deflect passes, averaging 1.3 steals per game, including 4 steals in his last two games. He is everywhere. Defensive anchor vibes early from the 23-year-old big fella.
3. Battling through injuries
It’s no secret that the Suns, like nearly every NBA team, have dealt with injury issues early on. The way they’ve handled it has been encouraging.
Jalen Green reaggravating his hamstring Saturday night was as deflating as it gets. But if there’s anything we’ve learned early on from this team, it’s that they won’t let that bog them down. They showed it immediately during the win over the Clippers on Saturday night.
4. Home Court Pride
Phoenix’s home record is 4-1 through five games. They are protecting their home court, which is important. Devin Booker’s quote about people coming to see Wemby play in Phoenix stuck out to me as something the young Booker would say.
It reminded me of that Russell Westbrook historic triple-double run that they shut down several years ago in their building. They are taking it personally on their home court, and now they need to carry that momentum over on the road. But tonight, the focus is on not letting a mediocre Pelicans team catch you snoozing on your home floor.
5. Jordan Ott has the locker room
It’s easy to nitpick rotations from afar, but outside of some basic, general things I disagree with in the rotation, Ott has been phenomenal.
You can tell the stark difference just in the way players talk and interact with Ott from behind the scenes compared to Budenholzer and Vogel. Has there been a game where the effort wasn’t there? They’ve had bad games this season, but even in those, they are competing.
6. Dillon Brooks’ attitude
This may be a lukewarm take at this point, but I don’t mind any of the Shenengians that Dillon Brooks brings to the table. That includes the technical foul he picked up from the bench in the loss to the Warriors. You have to take the good with the bad, and a villain never shuts off that switch.
Getting under opponents’ skin is important. You want to be the team that no one looks forward to facing, and it starts with physicality and attitude. Brooks, for better or worse, has both.
7. Collin Gillepsie, Floor General
Collin Gillespie has been a steady force off the Suns’ bench this season. He does a masterful job of playing within himself, never forcing the issue and finding the right teammate at the right time.
Basketball IQ meets grit. That is Collin Gillespie. He is going to be a solid role player in the NBA for a very long time.
8. Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale: Unsung Heroes
These two have been pros despite several fans wanting them out this offseason. Reliable veterans who, in the right context, can thrive in their roles. If the Suns do decide to sell, these are two guys contenders will want. Allen is having a career year.
Both veterans are shooting over 40 percent from distance this season. The timely threes have been huge. Every time they need a momentum-shifting three, one of Royce or Grayson’s got us.
9. Threes, Threes Everywhere
The Suns are shooting a lot of threes. Phoenix is in the top five in both three-pointers made and three-pointers attempted.
They are connecting on 16.2 attempts per game (3rd) and attempting 42.7 threes per game (5th). Their overall percentage sits at 10th in the association at 37.9%.
10. That we’re done playing the Clippers until February
So sick of those guys.
Thanks for reading. Let’s get above .500 tonight!
