The Phoenix Suns have reached the midway point of a season that’s been as surprising as it’s been promising. Sitting firmly in the playoff mix, the Suns have managed to blend resilience, adaptability, and a fresh identity under new leadership - and that leadership starts with head coach Jordan Ott.
While players like Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks have earned their flowers for standout stretches - Gillespie grabbing the first-quarter MVP nod and Brooks taking the second - it’s time to spotlight the steady hand guiding it all. Ott, in his first season as an NBA head coach, has been the quiet catalyst behind Phoenix’s impressive first half.
Let’s be clear: Devin Booker remains the heartbeat of this franchise. He could’ve easily been the MVP of every segment of the season so far.
He’s bought in, locked in, and leading by example. But this year was never just about Booker.
It was about building something sustainable around him - and that’s where Ott’s impact has been undeniable.
Taking over as the team’s fourth head coach in as many seasons, Ott faced a tall task. First-year head coaches don’t often walk into playoff-caliber rosters with expectations already simmering. But instead of being overwhelmed, Ott has brought a calm, flexible approach that’s resonated with the locker room.
He’s not rigid. He’s not pretending to have all the answers.
And that honesty has gone a long way with this group. After a win over the Brooklyn Nets, Ott openly admitted he’d be adjusting on the fly once Jalen Green returns from injury - a refreshingly candid take in a league where coaches often stick to the script.
Green, a dynamic offensive weapon, will need to be reintegrated carefully, and Ott seems more than willing to make those adjustments in real time.
Another recent example of Ott’s adaptability came when he declined to confirm whether center Mark Williams would play in the second half of a back-to-back against the 76ers. It wasn’t a lack of preparation - it was a coach making decisions based on the moment, not a predetermined plan. That’s a stark contrast from previous regimes under Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer, where the approach could feel more rigid and less responsive to the flow of the season.
Ott’s ability to maximize his rotation has been one of the most impressive aspects of his tenure so far. He’s gotten meaningful contributions from players like Royce O’Neale and Jordan Goodwin, while also crafting defensively sound lineups featuring Grayson Allen and Gillespie - not exactly names you’d expect to anchor a defense, but Ott has made it work.
And here’s the stat that really tells the story: the Suns haven’t lost three straight games since the opening week of the season. That kind of consistency - especially for a team still finding its identity - speaks volumes about the culture Ott is building.
Even during a grueling six-game road trip through the Eastern Conference, which opened with back-to-back losses to Miami and Detroit, the Suns didn’t fold. They could’ve limped into Madison Square Garden with Booker banged up and taken the L.
Instead, Booker suited up, the team responded, and they walked out with a win. Then they followed it up with another in Brooklyn to keep themselves firmly in the playoff picture.
That’s not just grit - that’s a team believing in its coach and its direction.
The 2025-26 season was always going to be about laying the groundwork for a new era in Phoenix. Building a contender around Booker again was the goal.
And while the roster has its share of talent, the most important piece added this offseason may well have been Jordan Ott. His vision, flexibility, and leadership have given the Suns something they’ve lacked in recent years: stability.
And if the first half of the season is any indication, the Suns aren’t just playing with house money - they’re building something real.