The Phoenix Suns began their preseason slate of games with a 103-81 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night, but the result the least of the franchise's concerns as the regular season approaches. While it is always nice to get a win - and against the Lakers at that - this was about seeing head coach Jordan Ott's processes more than anything else.
Grayson Allen got the start with Jalen Green unavailable - which we had already said could be a possibility - while in the lead up to the game Devin Booker didn't seem overly enthusiastic about what Deandre Ayton can bring to Los Angeles. They may be former teammates, but there appears to be no love lost there.
Suns fans unite in talking about how fun team is to watch again.
The one common theme throughout social media and beyond in the aftermath of the victory however, was just how much fun this group was to watch out on the court. This has not been the case for the last two plus years, with every mistake highlighted and below-par display ridiculed because of how high the stakes were.
The Suns broke up an NBA Finals roster - which included Ayton - in favor of chasing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. That combined with veteran head coaches in Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer meant the teams were both constantly being compared to other contenders - and usually coming up short - while last season they were a disaster defensively and didn't take care of the ball.
Ladies & Gentlemen... Dillon Brooks 😤 pic.twitter.com/E3XkyMYIzX
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 4, 2025
This version of the Suns may have had 16 turnovers, but new addition Dillon Brooks was as entertaining as we all knew that he would be. Rookie center Khaman Maluach outscored Ayton - a fact The Valley won't let him forget for a while - and Oso Ighodaro started in the middle in what could be a massive season for him.
In fact the organization had two second years that they drafted themselves in Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn start the game, which partly explains the change in opinion of this roster. These younger players try harder, and just as importantly they feel like Phoenix players through and through. Not guys who have reached their peak who have been drafted in to try and win it all.
Perhaps best of all, Booker led the way in scoring with 24 points. Green not being on the court means questions on their fit together didn't begin to get answered on this occasion, but perhaps that is just as well. For the first time since owner Mat Ishbia traded for superstars to chase a title, everybody looked like they were having fun and enjoying themselves again. A great start to a long year ahead.