The Phoenix Suns finished the 2025-26 regular season at 45-37, secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and reached the playoffs before a first-round sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder. They traded Kevin Durant before the season, installed first-year head coach Jordan Ott and still cleared their preseason over/under win total of 31.5 by 13.5 games. Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes had projected a 26-56 record, citing Devin Booker's injury history and the loss of Durant as fatal flaws.

The Suns ranked seventh in the West despite those forecasts, posting home and road splits of 25-16 and 20-21. They led the franchise with 1,210 made three-pointers while holding opponents in check under Ott's defensive blueprint, earning him Western Conference Coach of the Month honors in January after an 11-5 stretch. Devin Booker stayed available enough to anchor the group alongside Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, and the addition of Mark Williams plus rookies provided interior presence that preseason models dismissed.

Photo: Phoenix Suns On SI

Ott's scheme emphasized pace and spacing that allowed Green to handle point-guard duties without forcing Booker into uncomfortable creation roles every night. The defense improved markedly from the prior season's bottom-five finish, limiting transition opportunities and forcing contested shots even when the roster dealt with injuries. Small-ball lineups featuring four guards and a stretch five created mismatches that opponents could not consistently exploit, turning what was called an offensive uphill climb into a functional attack that generated volume from deep.

The front office's decision to move on from Durant and Bradley Beal cleared salary and minutes for younger pieces, shifting the roster from a star-heavy construct to one built around Booker's facilitation and Ott's system. Rivals in the West watched Phoenix climb from projected lottery team to play-in participant, forcing adjustments in how they viewed the Pacific Division landscape. The 45 wins represented a 9-win improvement over the previous campaign and validated Ott's early emphasis on grit and collective effort.

Looking ahead, the Suns face roster decisions around restricted free agents and draft capital before the 2026 offseason. Ott's staff will evaluate whether the current rotation depth can sustain another 45-win pace or if targeted additions at wing and frontcourt are required. A deeper playoff run hinges on health and whether the defensive identity holds against stronger first-round opponents.

The gap between the 26-win forecast and the actual 45-win outcome underscores how quickly a new coach and roster tweaks can reset expectations in a conference where margins remain tight.