Jordan Ott Shows Rare Emotion After Suns-Nets Skirmish: “This Is Where the Frustration Comes From”
PHOENIX - Jordan Ott isn’t usually one to raise his voice. The Suns' interim head coach is known for his calm, composed demeanor - the kind of guy who lets his team’s effort speak louder than his own words. But after Phoenix’s 106-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Ott’s frustration finally boiled over, and it had everything to do with how the game was officiated.
Back to back questions from @DuaneRankin to Jordan Ott regarding the officiating for the three technical fouls, two flagrant fouls, as well as Dillon Brooks being close to suspension with his 15th technical foul.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) January 28, 2026
Ott on the officiating: “This is where the frustration has come… pic.twitter.com/fPu2nXhynq
With just over a minute left in the fourth quarter, tensions that had been simmering all night finally erupted. It started with some physical back-and-forth between Royce O’Neale and Terance Mann - nothing out of the ordinary for a tightly contested game, but it was clear both players were getting under each other’s skin. The officials, however, let the contact go unchecked.
Then came the tipping point.
O’Neale stripped Mann clean on a possession, and the play quickly unraveled. Egor Dëmin shoved Dillon Brooks to the floor, O’Neale responded by shoving Dëmin, and suddenly, the game teetered on the edge of chaos.
Ott didn’t mince words afterward.
“This is where the frustration has come from our team this year,” he said postgame. “We play hard, we don’t fight, we don’t embellish, and when that gets brought into the game… that creates frustration - for our guys, for me, for all of us. When that gets brought into the game, it’s just hard to overcome.”
It was a rare glimpse of fire from Ott, but one that felt earned. His team had just gutted out a win without four key players - including three starters - against a Nets squad that shot over 50% from the field and north of 40% from deep. Phoenix didn’t just survive; they battled through adversity and found a way to close.
That’s what made the lack of control from the officials so frustrating. It wasn’t just about one call or one moment - it was about the cumulative effect of letting things escalate to the point where a scuffle became inevitable.
Veterans like Grayson Allen echoed the sentiment: the writing was on the wall. The game had been building toward a confrontation, and the officials didn’t step in soon enough to keep it from boiling over.
To be clear, Ott wasn’t making excuses. That’s never been his style.
But he was drawing a line - not just for his team, but for what he expects from the league. There's a difference between letting players play and losing control of the game.
And when physicality crosses that line, it’s the officials' job to rein it back in before things get out of hand.
The Suns did their part. They kept their composure, even as emotions ran high. They played a clean, hard-nosed game, despite missing key pieces and facing a red-hot Brooklyn offense.
But Ott’s comments suggest something deeper - a growing concern about how Phoenix is being officiated, especially when compared to teams with more established reputations or star power. Whether that’s a trend or just a rough night remains to be seen. But if Ott continues to speak up, the league may have to take a closer look.
For now, the Suns walk away with a gritty win and a coach who’s not afraid to stand up for his team - even if it means stepping out of character to do it.