Key Highlights
- Jalen Green is expected to miss the season opener due to a right hamstring injury.
- Grayson Allen will start in place of Green, alongside Devin Booker and other key players.
- The Suns’ new coach Jordan Ott aims for more player movement and ball distribution.
- Expectations are high for the Suns, but they may need to play with a deeper rotation due to aggressive style.
Opening Night Lineup and Injuries
The Phoenix Suns begin their 2025-26 regular season on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. Jalen Green, who played in all 82 games over his last two seasons with the Suns, will miss this crucial opener due to a right hamstring injury sustained during training camp and re-aggravated while playing in China.
Coach Jordan Ott is expected to start Grayson Allen alongside All-Star Devin Booker. This lineup will also include Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, and Mark Williams. While Grayson Allen is listed as probable with left hip soreness, the Suns aim for a balanced approach, given that Green’s absence leaves them needing to rely on other players.
Coach Jordan Ott’s Offensive Philosophy
Phoenix Suns’ first-year coach Jordan Ott brings a strategic offensive philosophy to the team. Drawing from his experience as an assistant under NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson, Ott emphasizes ball movement and player movement, with a strong focus on cuts and screens. This approach is designed to maximize the potential of key players like Devin Booker while maintaining a high pace of play.
The Suns are looking to implement a more fluid rotation that allows for aggressive defense and fast-paced offense.
Ott aims to reduce Devin Booker’s minutes per game, potentially playing 10 or more players in each contest. This strategy could help maintain the team’s intensity throughout the game while ensuring fresh legs on the court.
Rotation Depth and Player Management
The Suns will likely need a deeper bench due to their aggressive style of play, which can be taxing on players. The rotation during the preseason games showed that the Suns might struggle with managing foul trouble, averaging 29.7 fouls per game over four preseason contests.
Key players such as Devin Booker and Grayson Allen will need to manage their minutes carefully. If Williams is restricted in his playing time, Ott may consider a three-big lineup or a fluid rotation that includes rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming.
These young players brought valuable experience during the preseason, with Maluach scoring 17 points against the Lakers.
Ott emphasizes the importance of flexibility when it comes to big men in the rotation. Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie will play crucial roles as the Suns look for balanced offensive and defensive contributions from their reserves.
Technical Fouls and Aggressive Play
Devin Booker, known for his intense style of play, has a history of technical fouls. He was second in the NBA last season with 16 technicals, making it likely that he could pick up his first technical foul as a Sun during the opener. The aggressive nature of Booker and other players like Dillon Brooks may lead to more frequent technicals.
The Suns aim to play aggressively from the start, which could result in increased fouls.
However, managing these fouls while maintaining their high-paced offense will be crucial for Ott’s team strategy. This balance between intensity and discipline will be key as they face off against a Sacramento Kings squad looking to make an impact in the 2025-26 NBA season.
