The Phoenix Suns had two 20-point comebacks in the entire 2024-25 season. They only needed one game to get their first of 2025-26.
Despite trailing 64-44 with 2:10 remaining in the second quarter, the Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-116 at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday night, earning their first win under first-time head coach Jordan Ott.
“That’s what we’re about,” said Ott postgame, who received a water-bottle shower from his players afterwards. “Bounce back, stay in it, stay together. When it’s going well, like we had it going, that spirit just uplifts us. From the crowd, from the bench, you could feel it in that third quarter … That was fun.”
Down 71-54 at halftime, Ott’s side outscored their opposition 36-21 in the next 12 minutes, and led 106-97 with 5:23 remaining in regulation. Yet, they continued to hold the advantage. Dillon Brooks made the winning free throws with over one minute left, and Devin Booker, who posted his third 30+ point performance in season openers, solidified the victory with his team’s final seven points.
Suns Showcase New, Gritty Culture in Comeback Win over Kings
Allen, Gillespie spur energy in the second half
When looking at the Suns’ third-quarter comeback against the Kings, one might presume Booker, who led both teams in points, was the catalyst. But it actually came from his understudies. Specifically, when he was off the court.
Grayson Allen, who received the shooting guard start in lieu of an injured Jalen Green, scored 13 of his 18 points in the final 24 minutes. Starting the comeback with his team’s first second-half points, he also cut the deficit to two with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter.
Collin Gillespie, who sometimes checked in for Allen, had a +9 rating with his seven points, four assists and two rebounds. He scored all of his points in the second half, which included giving the Suns their largest lead of the night: a 101-94 edge with 8:28 left in the fourth quarter.
“It was a little bit of everybody, and that’s the way it should be,” Gillespie said in a live interview on the Suns TV network’s postgame show. “If you’re not making shots, guys gotta contribute in others ways and find little things to do.”
Williams makes Suns debut as much needed anchor
Many questions surrounded Mark Williams going into the 2025-26 season. Coming to Phoenix after a breakthrough season with the Charlotte Hornets, he faced injury problems, not playing a single minute in preseason. The absences reached a point where the Suns did not grant his rookie scale extension.
With Khaman Maluach ruled out via coach’s decision, and Oso Ighodaro getting the start at center, Williams found himself in a position he only played in three times last season: a bench player. Yet, he impacted the game with six points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, culminating in a +15 rating. He only posted a score better than that once in 2024-25, during a 31-point, 13-rebound showing in a 117-112 win over the Utah Jazz on January 15th.
“[It was] a little different, but it was what we needed,” Williams told reporters postgame about his rare substitute role. “I just wanted to be out on the court [and] make an impact obviously down the stretch.”
If Williams can stay healthy, those minutes that were “pocketed,” according to Ott, may lead to him becoming a typical starter.
The Last Word On the Phoenix Suns
Granted, it is the first game. Plus, the Suns and Kings will face off three more times this season. The Purple and Orange will face better competition on Friday when they visit the LA Clippers. But Wednesday night was promising.
Under Mike Budenholzer and even Frank Vogel, Phoenix may have struggled to come back from a 20-point deficit. But not under Ott, whose endurance training has helped his team run their ideal offense.
With the help of proper training and veteran leaders in Booker and Brooks, the Suns can use their upside to stun the league, and potentially make a run.
And that starts with a great opening win.
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