We're just going to come out and say it, we think the Phoenix Suns can make the playoffs this season. Their hugely impressive 108-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves without Devin Booker and Jalen Green making us believe.
Head coach Jordan Ott revealed playoff rotation in victory.
How sweet that this rock fight of a win came against the Timberwolves of all opponents, which led to a full circle moment for these Suns. It was Anthony Edwards and company who swept Phoenix out of the postseason two years ago.
That ugly series saw a lack of fight from Booker and Kevin Durant that would define their time together, but this version of the roster is the exact opposite.
It doesn't matter that their top two players couldn't suit up, the rest of the team had them covered. It also helped that center Mark Williams could play, how the Charlotte Hornets messed up there.
Dillon Brooks played 31 minutes having been questionable with achilles soreness, and that attitude typified what the Suns were about. Would we have seen Bradley Beal do the same thing?
Dillon Brooks continues to hit absurd shots every night 🤣 pic.twitter.com/npyBFLmzsV
— Erik Ruby (@ErikRuby) December 9, 2025
If we assume that Booker, Brooks and Green will all start should the team make the playoffs, then Williams and Grayson Allen will likely round out that group.
Collin Gillespie is the super sub, while Royce O'Neale started in the win over the Timberwolves. Sophomores Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro got some run, as did the guard tandem of Jordan Goodwin and Jamaree Bouyea.
That was as deep as coach Ott went into his bench, with rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming receiving DNPs. Center Nick Richards wasn't chosen either.
The final scratch was the most painful one, as this looked like an opportunity for Nigel Hayes-Davis to stake his claim for a spot in The Valley one last time. Instead Brooks played and he didn't.
That's the group coach Ott will use in the playoffs, and it is going to give everybody outside of the Oklahoma City Thunder a tough series.
Gillespie off the bench is such a weapon, while O'Neale backing up Allen is another plus. Goodwin and Bouyea rarely disappoint, while Dunn and Ighodaro will show up for parts of some games.
We've already examined how coach Ott has used his veterans more than expected to win games, and that is clearly going to continue if this statement win is any indication.
Edwards might have put up for, but the Suns will give him that every day if they can sneak out a close contest. Winning these kinds of games is what will secure a spot in the playoffs.