The 2026-27 season is still off to a rocky start for the Phoenix Suns (3-6), with a lopsided defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday highlighting as much.

While the 1-5 start was as disastrous as one would imagine, it seems as if the tides are turning. 

Between coaching decisions paying off, improving defensive metrics, and individual players showing out - there are reasons to believe a progression to the mean is coming.

Below are two players who are already contributing to evolving conditions, and one that is in a spot to only go up from here. The focus below is on the contributions these players were flashing prior to the "off" game against the Spurs.

The University of Virginia product has been the subject of much scrutiny over the last year, with much of the frustration coming from his lack of offensive game. 

Well, the 23-year-old is bucking the criticism, and is making good of his potential to fully breakout in the Phoenix rotation this season.

Dunn is boasting per-36 minute averages of 12.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 4.1 APG over the last five games. Accompanying this is a continual tireless effort on the defensive side of the ball, as well as positive strides as a three-point shooter.

Head coach Jordan Ott is finally finding ways to unlock what made the Suns bullish on Dunn to begin with. To Dunn's credit, he's also evolving in meaningful ways that are making it challenging to leave him off the floor.

Bridges has drawn gobs of scrutiny since joining the organization in July. 

The 28-year-old has come along in his on-court exploits over the last two games, as evidenced by back-to-back double-doubles. 

Phoenix is investing a great deal into making an unnatural fit work, and the benefits are coming to eye-level as of late. In extension of the double-doubles is Bridges leading the team in rebounds heading into the new week. This shows a steadfast commitment to playing in a more physical and aware manner. 

Bridges is also showing growth as a playmaker. His passing skills have always been under-appreciated, but Ott is now finding creative ways to utilize the wing as connective tissue to the offense - with recent results truly being positive.

Gillespie hasn't exactly had the start to 2026-27 that the franchise envisioned.  

The Villanova product owns the lowest true shooting percentage on the team, and truly only owns one productive scoring performance this season so far.

Gillespie continues to impact the game outside of scoring, which keeps his floor decently high. It's only a matter of time until the shooting progresses to the mean and the guard ends up outpacing his contract value.