Phoenix Suns Surging into Christmas Despite Grueling Schedule and Thin Roster
As the NBA calendar hits its unofficial turning point - the Christmas slate - the Phoenix Suns find themselves in a spot few expected: competitive, cohesive, and quietly turning heads in the West. At 15-13, they’re not blowing anyone out of the water, but considering the circumstances, they’ve already overachieved.
Let’s be real: this team wasn’t supposed to be here. Not after a summer of major changes, not with a roster still figuring itself out, and certainly not after a brutal December schedule.
The Suns have played 12 of their last 13 games against teams above .500 - all of them against Western Conference opponents. That’s a gauntlet by any standard.
And yet, they’ve gone 6-7 over that stretch, holding their own against some of the league’s toughest competition.
That kind of resilience says something.
Jordan Ott’s Impact Is Already Clear
A huge part of the Suns’ early-season success comes down to first-year head coach Jordan Ott. Snagged from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ott has wasted no time putting his stamp on this team.
His system, his style, his voice - it’s all resonating. The players have bought in, and that’s not always a given with a new coach, especially one stepping into a team with big personalities and high expectations.
Devin Booker, for one, looks like he’s thriving under Ott’s leadership. While he’s had some shooting slumps, there’s no question this is his team again.
He’s embraced the role of primary option, primary leader, and the emotional centerpiece of the Suns’ identity. That kind of clarity - knowing who your guy is - goes a long way in a long season.
Life After KD: A Different Energy
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant is now in Houston, and the Suns have moved on. There’s a certain irony in watching Durant adjust to life with the Rockets while Phoenix has found a new rhythm without him. The fit with Booker was always solid, but now there’s a different kind of energy in the building - one that’s more balanced, more team-oriented.
Dillon Brooks has stepped into a key role as the team’s emotional engine. Love him or hate him, Brooks brings edge, effort, and a defensive tenacity that this team sorely needed. He’s not just filling minutes - he’s setting the tone.
And they’ve done all this without Jalen Green, who’s been sidelined for most of the campaign. That’s a significant absence, and yet the Suns have stayed afloat. That speaks volumes about the team’s depth - or at least its ability to punch above its weight.
A Team Built for the Long Haul?
Defensively, Phoenix has been solid - not elite, but definitely in the upper half of the league. Offensively, they’re hovering just below league average.
That combination - good defense, serviceable offense - has made them a matchup problem for a lot of teams. They’re not flashy, but they’re tough, and they don’t go away easily.
General Manager Brian Gregory has been quietly effective behind the scenes, and owner Mat Ishbia seems to have taken a more measured approach this season. The front office isn’t making headlines, but it’s making smart moves - the kind that build sustainable success.
Even some of the veteran additions, like Jordan Goodwin, have proven to be savvy pickups. He’s not lighting up the box score, but he’s giving them quality minutes and playing his role - exactly what you want from a depth piece.
The Rookie Dilemma
If there’s one area that hasn’t panned out yet, it’s the rookie class. The three draft picks from the offseason haven’t cracked the rotation, and that’s by design.
Ott has leaned heavily on his veterans, choosing to let the young guys develop in the G League rather than throw them into the fire. It’s a long-term play - one that could pay off down the line in 2026 and beyond.
It’s not a knock on the rookies, and it’s not necessarily a criticism of Ott, either. In a season where every win matters, he’s trusting experience. And so far, it’s working.
A Christmas Clash with the Lakers
Now, as the Suns prepare for a Christmas Eve matchup with the Lakers, they’ve already given their fans something to celebrate. This team isn’t just competitive - it’s ahead of schedule. They’ve reestablished an identity, found a coach they believe in, and reignited the spark in The Valley.
If you told Suns fans a few months ago that they’d be sitting in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race with a winning record against a brutal schedule, they’d have taken it in a heartbeat.
Now, they’re not just surviving - they’re building something. And as the NBA season truly kicks into gear, the Suns look like a team that’s ready to keep surprising people.