Jordan Goodwin’s Grit is Fueling the Suns - And Everyone’s Taking Notice
PHOENIX - Jordan Goodwin isn’t just surviving in Phoenix - he’s thriving. The 6’3” guard has gone from the last man on the roster to a critical piece in the Suns’ rotation, and he’s doing it with a mix of relentless hustle, infectious energy, and a mentality that screams, “I belong.”
If you’ve watched the Suns lately, you’ve seen it - Goodwin closing games alongside the starters, including a standout performance against the Thunder on January 4. That’s not by accident. That’s trust earned the hard way: through defense, effort, and a whole lot of heart.
The Spark Plug Phoenix Didn’t Know It Needed
Before every game, you’ll find Goodwin jawing with assistant coaches, laughing with teammates, and engaging with fans. He brings a spark that’s hard to quantify - though the numbers try.
The Suns are 5.5 points better per 100 possessions when Goodwin is on the floor. That’s not a small bump for someone averaging just 21.8 minutes per game.
That’s impact.
And it’s not just the box score. Goodwin dives for loose balls like it’s Game 7 of the Finals.
He rebounds like a forward. On New Year’s Eve, he pulled down 15 boards - eight of them offensive.
From a 6’3” guard. That’s not just hustle.
Collin Gillespie told me how he’s seen Jordan Goodwin embrace being true offensive option and closing games with the starting unit.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) January 9, 2026
“He brings it every night defensively. When he gets going like that offensively, you want to reward a guy like that for how much he does every… pic.twitter.com/4SKBOsZIpn
That’s a mindset.
Defense First - But Don’t Sleep on the Offense
When the Suns made their final roster decisions, Goodwin’s defense was the calling card. Head coach Jordan Ott was looking for guys with high character and a relentless motor. Goodwin checked those boxes - and then some.
What’s surprised people, even some within the league, is how much more there is to his game. Oso Ighodaro, who’s seen Goodwin up close since training camp, put it plainly: “He can really score the ball.”
“As an outsider, you might not see that every game,” Ighodaro said. “But when it happens late in the game, none of us are surprised.
He’s an elite defender and rebounder. Does all the little things for us.
But he’s also a really good offensive player that doesn’t always get to show that.”
Now, he’s starting to. Goodwin is posting career highs in three-point makes, attempts, and percentage. And when he’s feeling it, teammates like Collin Gillespie are quick to feed the hot hand.
“When he gets it going like that offensively, you want to reward a guy like that for how much he does for you every night defensively,” Gillespie said. “Especially with how much he doesn’t really focus on having the ball.
When he gets hot, he can shoot the s**t out of it. You just gotta feed him.”
Built Different - And Built for This
What makes Goodwin tick? That edge.
That chip. That fire that doesn’t go out - even when the minutes fluctuate or the shots don’t fall.
It goes back to his roots. He and his brother used to go at it constantly, trading trash talk and pushing each other to be better. That brotherhood built the foundation for the player we’re seeing now - one who thrives off competition and craves the challenge.
Coach Ott knows it, too. After Goodwin’s breakout night against Oklahoma City, he shared that Ott will sometimes fire off trash-talking texts just to get him going.
It’s a unique approach, but it works. It taps into the fuel that’s always been there.
Goodwin isn’t chasing the spotlight. He’s not trying to be the next big name in Phoenix. He’s just doing what he’s always done - working, grinding, and making the most of every opportunity.
“I mean, we still wake up, play basketball,” Goodwin said. “I’ve played the game my whole life, so I’m not about to sit here and complain.
I get to wake up and just go dribble a basketball all around. That’s the easiest part.”
And when you play like every possession is your last, it’s no wonder coaches trust you, teammates feed you, and fans start to take notice.
Jordan Goodwin may not have the star power of Devin Booker - but make no mistake, his impact is real. And right now, the Suns are better for it.