The Phoenix Suns and new head coach Jordan Ott are set to make their season debut against the Sacramento Kings.
The Phoenix Suns go up against the Sacramento Kings at home to start the season. Phoenix is looking to start the season off with a win after the blockbuster trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. The Suns continue to commit to guard Devin Booker in hopes he will bring a championship home to the Valley.
Additionally, in June 2025, Coach Jordan Ott was hired from being an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the expectations are high.
This is Ott's first head coaching position. After firing Coach Budenholzer for not being able to deep into the playoffs with a superstar stacked lineup, the hopes are Ott can get back to "team ball," spreading the ball out and using the newly formed depth from the bench to be stronger towards the end of games. The hire of a younger coach comes after the failure of multiple veteran coaches to reach expectations.
The matchup to start the season will show the new energy, style and player development that Coach Ott is looking to bring to this new Suns team. Fans should expect a very fast game between the two teams.
Mark Williams, being the new center for the Suns, is poised to handle the ball in the key when Booker is double teamed. Devin Booker described Mark Williams as "super-skilled' and referred to him as having "a motor."
The Suns traded two first-round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets to acquire Williams. After sitting all preseason due to an injury, now Williams is 100-percent healthy and ready to go.
Phoenix never showed the starting lineup, nor did they get playing time together during the preseason. So other than practice, this match against the Kings will be the first time on the court together during a game.
Although still missing Jalen Green in the lineup, this is the closest thing to the starting five the Suns will be showing until his potential return.
There is hope that center Williams can run the court, with coach Ott new style of transition basketball being brought to the team. This is a very experimental match for the Suns tonight, with eyes on who can keep up with the new style of play, or if Ott will need to make adjustments moving forward. Luckily having ten new players, adding depth on the bench to make adjustments as needed, Coach Ott will have options.
Going up against a Sacramento team that is also missing key players such as Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) and Keegan Murray (thumb surgery), Phoenix should be able to use their depth to their advantage.