The Phoenix Suns just wrapped up one of their two six-game road trips this season, and it was a rollercoaster. They opened with back-to-back heartbreakers-dropping close contests to the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons-but closed strong with a gritty 106-99 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Devin Booker, who sat out the Detroit game with an ankle issue, returned to drop 27 points against the Knicks and looked every bit the offensive anchor this team needs.
Let’s dig into the three key storylines coming out of Week 13 for the Suns.
Clutch Time Concerns: Health or Habit?
All three games this week came down to the wire-defined by the NBA as "clutch" since each was within five points in the final five minutes. And in two of those, the Suns couldn’t close.
Against the Pistons and Heat, Phoenix had chances late but couldn’t convert. Missed shots, defensive breakdowns, and overall shaky execution cost them winnable games.
The common denominator? Devin Booker wasn’t at full strength.
He missed the Detroit game entirely and was clearly limited in the second half against Miami after tweaking his ankle.
But against New York, with Booker back and moving well, the Suns looked more composed in crunch time. When the Knicks made a late push and trimmed the lead to five, Phoenix responded with poise-getting stops, making smart decisions, and sealing the win.
So here’s the real question: Are the Suns’ late-game issues something to worry about long-term, or were they simply the result of not having their closer at 100%?
Booker is the guy this offense leans on when things get tight. Without him, the Suns often look like a team searching for identity in the final minutes.
With him healthy, they’re capable of executing with precision. The concern level depends on how confident you are that Booker can stay on the floor and stay healthy.
Jalen Green’s Return: A Rotation Puzzle for Jordan Ott
Jalen Green has been upgraded to questionable ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, signaling that his return from a hamstring injury could be imminent. He’s missed more than two months, but now the Suns are on the verge of getting a dynamic scorer back in the mix.
When Green returns, Collin Gillespie is expected to move back to the bench, with the starting five shifting to: Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale, and Mark Williams.
Now, this creates a new challenge for head coach Jordan Ott: how do you reintegrate a career 20-point-per-game scorer without disrupting the rhythm of a team that’s been grinding out competitive games?
Green brings shot creation, athleticism, and scoring punch, but he also hasn’t played in weeks. Conditioning and chemistry are real concerns.
Do you throw him into 30+ minutes right away? Do you ease him in off the bench for a couple games?
And what about back-to-backs-do you play him in both legs, or play it safe?
Ott has to strike a balance here. Green’s talent is undeniable, but the Suns have found ways to stay afloat in his absence, thanks in part to steady play from Gillespie, Grayson Allen, and others. Managing Green’s minutes while maintaining continuity in the rotation will be a delicate dance.
Dillon Brooks’ Shooting Slump: A Test of Depth
It was a rough week at the office for Dillon Brooks. The numbers tell the story: 32% from the field and a tough-to-watch 17% from beyond the arc. That includes a 1-for-10 night from deep against the Heat.
For a guy who’s supposed to be the team’s second scoring option, that kind of inefficiency can be tough to overcome. And yet, the Suns stayed in every game. That’s a testament to the depth and resilience of this roster.
Grayson Allen, Collin Gillespie, and others stepped up in Brooks’ absence of production, much like they did when Booker was struggling with his shot last month. It’s that “next man up” mentality that’s kept Phoenix competitive, even when key players aren’t firing on all cylinders.
Still, the Suns need Brooks to find his rhythm. His defensive intensity and toughness are always there, but when his shot is falling, it opens up the floor for everyone else. If the Suns want to make a real push in the West, they’ll need more efficient nights from their No. 2 option.
Bottom Line: The Suns are in a fascinating spot. They’ve shown they can compete in close games, but they need their stars healthy and in rhythm to truly capitalize.
With Booker back and Green potentially returning, this team could be hitting a turning point. If they can clean up their late-game execution and get Brooks back on track, the pieces are there for a strong second half of the season.