Cole Anthony did not join the Suns’ roster following the deadline, and this move allows him to clear waivers by the March 1 buyout deadline and possibly be picked up by another team. Siegel suggests that another team could bring Anthony in via 10-day contract or for the rest of the season, but that there are overseas teams that have expressed interest in him as well. At this time though, it’s likely he continues to pursue another NBA opportunity.

With the Suns now possessing an open roster spot, two-way contract guard Jamaree Bouyea is a candidate to be converted to a standard deal. The Suns also signed Haywood Highsmith to a contract earlier this month after his buyout from the Brooklyn Nets.

Anthony was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He played for the Magic for five seasons before being included in the team’s offseason trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Grizzlies cut Anthony before the start of the season, and he signed with the Bucks.

Anthony had appeared in 35 games for the Bucks at a little over 15 minutes per game. He had averaged 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists with splits of 42.4 percent shooting from the field, 30.6 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 61.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The post Suns finally cut ties with Cole Anthony appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that the 29-year-old guard is expected to return in the first week of March, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix. Booker could either return for Tuesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings or Thursday’s contest against the Chicago Bulls.

“Devin Booker is progressing well from a hip strain and trending towards being back after this four-day break – Likely either Sacramento on Tuesday or Chicago on Thursday.”

That’s great news for a Suns team firmly in the mix in the Western Conference. Phoenix owns the No. 7 seed as of Friday, February 27. Booker returning to the lineup should give the team what it needs to compete in the final stretch of the regular season.

The 11-year veteran has remained the face of the franchise this season. Although many believed the Suns could potentially struggle, Phoenix has actually been incredibly competitive. Especially when Devin Booker is on the court. In the 44 games he has played, Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the three-point line.

After defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 113-110 on Thursday, the Suns won’t play again until the Tuesday game against the Kings. Phoenix gets three straight days off, giving Booker and his teammates plenty of time to rest and prepare for Sacramento.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker gets positive hip injury timeline update appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“It starts with me,” Ott said when asked pregame on Thursday what goes into holding players accountable. “That was our challenge to the group postgame (on Tuesday vs Celtics). Look internally; are there solutions out there? What can we fix in the near term? And then also zoom out.

“We’re in a good place. We’re still sitting in a decent place in the Western Conference standings, but we do have higher standards for ourselves.”

Luckily, the Suns had a solid first part of the season, surpassing expectations and then some. Finishing with a 31-23 record, they have a target on their back.

But then came the unfortunate news.

In his first game from the all-star break, the Suns would miss Dillon Brooks due to a broken hand for roughly four-t0-six weeks.

They missed his tone-setting presence, the intensity, but more so his scoring. He was the clear second option– and sometimes the first behind Devin Booker.

Speaking of which, the latter has only played for nine minutes since his return from the break. Much like Brooks, Booker is dealing with an injury, but this one isn’t as severe.

It’s a right hip strain that could keep him sidelined for one week. Through the team’s four games, they had one of the worst offenses, extremely inefficient, and seemed to lose their identity.

Until they regained it.

The Suns once again found their identity through accountability

Accountability isn’t simply just calling out people who aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do. It’s about acknowledging one’s own faults, too.

It’s what Ott alluded to before Thursday’s game, and something his players have also spoken about. No one seems to point the finger at anyone else besides themselves.

While that takes place, guys like Grayson Allen know that the team’s philosophy will get them out of the slump.

“It was great to get a win and against a good team, against a team that we’re chasing down in the standings,” Allen explained to reporters after the Suns win on Thursday. “To have a good offensive night feels really good, especially after the last two games.

“It was all good, and it’s nice to have a win going into a 4-day break.”

That collective alignment of trust has been the Suns’ bread and butter throughout the season. Every player, coach, and front office executive knows it.

In a time when it’s easy to fall back into old habits, that’s not the mantra. Losing Brooks and Booker for a while isn’t easy, but this team hasn’t lost who they are, even while being in a bit of a rut.

The post Jordan Ott’s accountability challenge helped Suns break skid vs Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“LeBron James,” Fleming said emphatically during a Phoenix Suns fan event before the season began.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix have squared off three times, Fleming never had the chance to routinely guard James or Doncic. He’s spent those games either with Valley Suns (Phoenix’s G-League affiliate) or playing garbage time.

With the influx of injuries, he’s seen his workload increase. From being mostly a defender, his offensive game has grown exponentially.

He might not amaze anyone right now, but the confidence is brewing. Fleming’s athleticism, wingspan, and defense alone make him someone to play in the rotation.

The budding offensive game– and specifically the 3-point shot– has put intrigue into the fanbase, as well as the Suns’ coaching staff.

Head coach Jordan Ott had Fleming matched up on Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard on Tuesday, where the latter shot 1-for-11 from the field.

Two days later, the coach spoke on the rookie’s responsibility to guard “some of the best players in the world,” in reference to James and Luka Doncic. The starstruck nature didn’t seem to faze him one bit.

“I think afterwards,” Fleming said when asked about matching up with James and Doncic. “Like, I’m going to go home and probably think more about it. But during the game, I’m too competitive to be that focused on it.”

I asked Rasheer Fleming if he gets starstruck mid game or if that happens after the fact.

He was routinely guarding Luka Doncic and had stints on LeBron James tonight.

“I think afterwards. Like, I’m going to go home and probably think more about it. But during the game, I’m too… pic.twitter.com/KVcKFD89Wx

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 27, 2026

Suns teammates see Rasheer Fleming’s budding potential

Fleming has all the tools to be an elite NBA defender. But an elite offensive player? That hasn’t crossed many people’s minds except for his teammates.

He’s put in work for the Valley Suns, and he’s reaping the fruits of his labor. The back-and-forth between G-League and NBA games, sometimes on the same day, can be a bit much.

But it’s all part of the process, and something Fleming took in stride. His work ethic, commitment to staying ready has paid dividends ever since the new year began.

In the second half, Ott swapped the starters for the second unit, which Fleming was a part of. He hit two 3-point shots, and injected life into the Phoenix crowd.

The offensive game only elevated his impact.

As he was cheering on the bench, this was just another game for Fleming through the eyes of Collin Gillespie, who raved for nearly 30 seconds postgame about his rookie’s potential.

“We always tell him that he has no idea how good he can be,” Gillespie said to reporters.

“He could be so, so good. I don’t even think he’s close (to his ceiling). He probably doesn’t even know what a ceiling is. I don’t even know what his ceiling is. He’s got so much to find offensively still, but defensively, just on the ball, his length, deflections.  He does everything.”

With injuries continuing to plague the team, this might be the legitimate shot for Fleming to insert himself fully into the Phoenix Suns roster.

The post LeBron James assignment gives Suns rookie full-circle moment during win vs Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Suns had a great execution in that play, leading to a wide-open attempt from deep by O’Neale, who finished the game with 13 points.

It all started with Grayson Allen attacking the gut of the Lakers’ defense, and with everyone’s attention on him, he kicked the ball out to Collin Gillespie, who then immediately got the ball to O’Neale. Without hesitation, the former Baylor Bears forward O’Neale launched a shot from behind the arc that found nothing but the bottom of the net.

ROYCE O’NEALE FOR THE LEAD WITH UNDER A SECOND REMAINING

pic.twitter.com/LbNWE9B86Q

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 27, 2026

There was still time left on the clock after O’Neale’s, but the Lakers couldn’t convert a bucket off the timeout, as Austin Reaves missed a last-gasp 3-point attempt from the corner.

O’Neale concluded his evening with 13 points with three triples, while Allen and Gillespie provided 28 and 21 points, respectively, for the Suns, who eked out a win despite missing star shooting guard Devin Booker and forward Dillon Brooks.

That shot by O’Neale also summed up the unselfishness of the Suns in the contest. They had 22 assists on 40 field goals and they also hit a total of 22 3-pointers on 50 attempts from deep. Creating outside shots from deep seemingly came a little too easy for Phoenix against the Lakers’ defense.

The post Suns’ Royce O’Neale calls game vs. Lakers with clutch 3-pointer appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ishbia was on the most recent episode of “The Pat McAfee Show” and committed to offering a $1 million prize to the winners of the three-point and slam dunk contests. Then, another $1 million to charity in each event. However, while it sounds good in theory, there would be some hurdles to making it happen.

“Let’s get the best guys in,” Ishbia said. “Let’s make it awesome.”

However, officials from the NBA league office and the players’ union also told ESPN that such a prize would not conform to the existing bonus structure in place for players.

Ishbia did not consult the league office before making the offer, sources said. But he is motivated to find a way to get more stars into the events overall, and if he can get this approved, it might work.

The last time a current All-Star won the Dunk Contest was in 2011 after Blake Griffin lit the basketball world on fire and jumped over a car to win the contest.

This year, the NBA All-Star Weekend events were seen by many as a mixed bag. The Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson won this year’s Dunk Contest in Los Angeles. Then, Damian Lillard, a nine-time All-Star, won his third 3-point contest in the past four years despite not playing one game this year due to an Achilles injury.

Jaxson Hayes did a warm-up dunk in the actual competition, and it was widely panned across social media and in the NBA world. Then, Jase Richardson almost got seriously injured trying to do a dunk. The actual competition between Keshad Johnson and Carter Bryant got interesting, but it was too little too late. If Ishbia can pull this off, it would be a massive win for the NBA and its audience.

The post Suns owner Mat Isbhia pledged $2 million for All-Star Weekend winners. Can he actually do that? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, Rui Hachimura is on the official injury report alongside Jaxson Hayes. While Hachimura was originally listed as questionable, he was downgraded to out a couple of hours before the game. Hayes was listed as probable. Hachimura is dealing with an illness, while Hayes is nursing a right ankle sprain.

The two join Bronny James and Adou Thiero, who are both confirmed to be out.

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Rui Hachimura injury status vs. Suns

Given that Hachimura is ruled out, the Lakers will need other players in the second unit to step up. He came off the bench against the Magic to add 10 points and two steals and may once again prove useful off the bench.

The Suns, meanwhile, still have Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker, Cole Anthony and Haywood Highsmith confirmed to be missing. The Lakers (34-23) have slipped to sixth in the tightly packed Western Conference after suffering back-to-back losses, including the humbling against the Boston Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Suns (33-26) have dropped seven of their last ten games to fall to seventh in the standings. Hachimura is averaging 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and will add another threat against a team that is majorly depleted.

Phoenix currently leads the season series 2-1, making this fourth and final meeting critical for potential postseason tiebreaker scenarios.

Lakers injury report

Rui Hachimura: Out (Illness)

Jaxson Hayes: Probable (Right Ankle; Sprain)

Bronny James: Out (G League – On Assignment)

Adou Thiero: Out (G League – On Assignment)

Suns injury report

Cole Anthony: Out (Not With Team)

Devin Booker: Out (Right Hip; Strain)

Dillon Brooks: Out (Left Hand; Fracture)

Jordan Goodwin: Out (Left Calf; Strain)

Haywood Highsmith: Out (Right Knee; Injury Management)

The post Lakers’ Rui Hachimura ruled out for Suns game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In an appearance on the the Pat McAfee Show, the Suns owner pledged $2 million to try and reinvigorate the Slam Dunk Contest.

“I have a say in how do we get great players in it. How do we make it a great event. How do make the fan experience phenomenal. We’re going to make it an amazing event,” Ishbia said. “Let’s do it. We can do it. Tell me what we’re doing?”

“You’re going to put a million dollars up for the winner. And then a million dollar donation to a charity of their choice,” McAfee said.

“Done. Let’s get the best guys in there. Let’s make it awesome,” Ishbia responded.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia has one last-ditch effort to revive NBA Slam Dunk contest

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is being regarded by many as one of the worst of all-time. Jaxson Hayes did a warmup dunk in the actual competition. Jase Richardson risked his life. Carter Bryant tried, but he just couldn’t edge out Keshad Johnson and his quirky dances.

Having a monetary incentive has certainly worked wonders in the past, although it’s not quite clear if this would get the best players to compete in the contest yet again since they already have millions upon millions in their bank account and wouldn’t be too incentivized anyway to try.

The post Pat McAfee gets Suns’ Mat Ishbia to commit $2 million to slam dunk contest appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After being blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the Lakers followed that up with a crushing 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. The loss dropped Los Angeles to 34-23, two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division.

On Thursday, the teams will square off in the desert. Thankfully for the Lakers, Phoenix will once again be missing some of its most important pieces.

Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith, and Cole Anthony have all been ruled out, per AZ Central’s Duane Rankin. Booker is, of course, the biggest loss for the Suns.

Booker suffered a right hip strain against the San Antonio Spurs last week. In the three games since, Phoenix’s offense has been paltry. They were also blown out by the Celtics, losing by 16 points, 97-81, Tuesday night. They managed just 77 points in the game prior against the Portland Trail Blazers.

With the Lakers’ big three likely playing, it might prove difficult for the Suns to keep up.

Los Angeles’ second unit might even get a boost. Backup center Jaxson Hayes was upgraded to probable on Wednesday, while Rui Hachimura is listed as questionable with an illness.

The Lakers have had their troubles, but offense, for the most part, has not been among them. The defensive end of the court has left plenty to be desired. But with Jalen Green struggling in his return, and the Suns lacking many other scoring options, Thursday appears to be a prime opportunity to get back into the win column.

This game may very well go a long way to determine the division winner. The Suns have won two of the first three meetings and a Lakers loss would ensure the tiebreak for Phoenix.

The post Suns injury report will inspire confidence Lakers can snap losing streak appeared first on ClutchPoints.

At a time when the Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers have been handed out hefty fines by the league for violating player participation policies, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia isn’t mincing words about the practice.

“It’s an embarrassment, this whole, my perspective is, tanking is loser mentality. I have never been around anyone. You show me someone who wants to lose, who thinks about losing, I will show you a loser, that’s losers, that’s not my stuff,” Ishbia revealed on The Pat McAfee Show, per a post on X by ClutchPoints.

"It's an embarrassment. It's horrible. My perspective is tanking is loser mentality. … I think it's bad for the NBA."

Suns governor Mat Ishbia on the league's tanking issue.

(via @PatMcAfeeShow)pic.twitter.com/dqK2YShWFf

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 25, 2026

“So I don’t like losing, I don’t wanna ever talk about losing. We try to win and the draft works, if you don’t have a good team, you get a good pick. But if you purposely trade for players and then don’t play them, trying to lose games. I think it’s bad for the NBA, I think Adam Silver knows it, organizations know it, it’s gotta change. It will change.

Coming out of the 2026 All-Star break, the race to the bottom has become so transparent that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was forced to levy massive financial penalties against organizations openly throwing games.

“It’s fixable, and Adam Silver, credit to him. He knows it’s a problem, he is gonna fix it. I believe he will fix it, but you can’t have teams like…Right now the incentives are misaligned,” Ishbia proclaimed.

The Utah Jazz were slapped with a staggering $500,000 fine for benching healthy stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarters of highly contestable games against Orlando and Miami. Shortly after, the Indiana Pacers were docked $100,000 for resting Pascal Siakam and two other starters in violation of the league’s player participation policy.

Ishbia’s statements signal that at least some of the owners in the NBA value competition over everything else, even if it proves detrimental due to the NBA’s rules.

The post Suns’ Mat Ishbia doubles down on tanking hate in latest ‘loser’ rant’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Brown was initially listed as questionable with a right knee contusion, per the official injury report, as the Celtics continue to navigate multiple absences, including that of Jayson Tatum. However, the Celtics star has since been downgraded to out.

The Suns meanwhile, remain heavily shorthanded with multiple players sidelined, including Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.

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Jaylen Brown injury status vs. Suns

Jaylen Brown being out introduces some uncertainty for a Celtics team that has leaned heavily on his elite two-way production throughout the season. The All-Star wing is averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, all career highs. The injury doesn’t seem to be too serious, but Boston is playing it safe with a showdown against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Expect Brown to suit up for that one after missing Tuesday’s game in Phoenix.

Elsewhere on the injury report, two-way guard Max Shulga is unavailable due to G League assignment, while rookie big Amari Williams is considered doubtful while on assignment. Regardless, the Celtics have won eight of their last nine games and sit at 37-19.

The Suns produced just 77 points in their most recent loss to Portland, their lowest total since 2017. Grayson Allen is questionable with knee and ankle injury management, while key scorers Devin Booker (hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) are out, removing over 45 combined points per game from the lineup.

Jordan Goodwin is sidelined with a calf strain, Haywood Highsmith is out due to knee injury management, and Cole Anthony is unavailable while away from the team.

Celtics injury report

Jaylen Brown: out (right knee contusion)

Jayson Tatum: out (right Achilles repair)

Max Shulga: out (G League two-way)

Amari Williams: doubtful (G League assignment)

Suns injury report

Grayson Allen: questionable (right knee and ankle injury management)

Devin Booker: out (right hip strain)

Dillon Brooks: out (left hand fracture)

Jordan Goodwin: out (left calf strain)

Haywood Highsmith: out (right knee injury management)

Cole Anthony: out (not with team)

The post Celtics’ Jaylen Brown ruled out for Suns showdown appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Dillon Brooks sustained the hand injury during the Suns’ win against the Orlando Magic on Saturday. He played only seven minutes before needing to exit the game. He finished with five points and three rebounds.

The Suns recently welcomed Jalen Green back in the lineup after he had been sidelined for most of the first half of the season due to a hamstring injury. But losing Brooks for an extended period of time is a major blow for a team that is trying to keep pace in a crowded Western Conference playoff picture.

The Suns are currently 33-25 and in seventh place in the West standings. They are two games back of the No. 6 seeded Minnesota Timberwolves and being able to avoid the play-in altogether.

Brooks is in his first season with the Suns after being acquired as part of the multi-team blockbuster trade involving Kevin Durant in the offseason. So far, he has made an invaluable impact on the court.

Brooks has appeared in 50 of the Suns’ 58 games to this point, all starts, at a little over 30 minutes per game. He’s been averaging a career-high 20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals with splits of 44 percent shooting from the field, 34.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 85.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The post Dillon Brooks’ injury return timetable after broken hand revealed appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jalen Green is on the injury report alongside Grayson Allen, with both players listed as questionable, per the official injury report. Green is dealing with right hamstring injury management after hitting a dramatic buzzer-beater in the Suns’ double-overtime win, while Allen continues to manage knee and ankle soreness.

Of course, the Trail Blazers are in a similar boat and have plenty of major absentees to deal with.

Jalen Green injury status vs. Trail Blazers

Jalen Green’s availability will be a game-time decision. However, there are plenty of other players confirmed to be out.

Joining Devin Booker are the likes of Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin and Haywood Highsmith, who are dealing with a left hand fracture, a left calf strain and a right hamstring problem, respectively.

For the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard (Achilles injury management) and Shaedon Sharpe (left calf strain) are out, while Javonte Cooke, Caleb Love, and Hansen Yang are unavailable due to G League assignments.

Suns injury report

Jalen Green — Questionable (right hamstring injury management)

Grayson Allen — Questionable (right knee and ankle injury management)

Devin Booker — Out (right hip strain)

Dillon Brooks — Out (left hand fracture)

Jordan Goodwin — Out (left calf strain)

Haywood Highsmith — Out (right knee injury management)

Cole Anthony — Out (not with team)

Trail Blazers injury report

Deni Avdija — Questionable (low back injury management)

Damian Lillard — Out (left Achilles injury management)

Shaedon Sharpe — Out (left calf strain)

Javonte Cooke — Out (G League two-way)

Caleb Love — Out (G League two-way)

Hansen Yang — Out (G League assignment)

The post Suns’ Jalen Green’s injury status vs. Blazers after bonkers buzzer-beater appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The latter sustained the injury in the first quarter and was grimacing a bit after taking shots or handling the ball. After the game, Phoenix players were made aware of the injury and had a plethora of reactions.

All of them were somber, with Jalen Green being in complete shock when the media told him about Brooks’s injury.

“I never want to see anybody injured, especially break anything. But, I mean, that’s my guy,” Green said postgame.

“I’ll keep his spirits high. He’s needed out there. We miss him out there. Hopefully, I’ll talk to him after we get out of here and see where his head is at.”

Jalen Green was stunned when @DuaneRankin broke the news to him that Dillon Brooks suffered a broken hand in tonight’s game.

“I never want to see anybody injured, especially break anything. But, I mean, that’s my guy. I’ll keep his spirits high. He’s needed out there. We miss… pic.twitter.com/X8FKtbFz9w

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 22, 2026

Moments before, the media spoke to Grayson Allen in the locker room. When he was informed about Brooks’s injury, he knew because he talked to him immediately after the game.

Allen mentioned that Brooks was “bummed out” and will “hold it down” while he’s out. However, there’s an important message the sharpshooter had for all who are on the floor and available.

“It’s extremely unlucky. It’s kind of been our bad luck all year. We’re definitely going to miss him but, next guy up, and hopefully all the guys that are ready now, stay healthy because we need everyone to step up,” Allen said.

The Suns’ will miss Dillon Brooks’s presence after hand injury

Injuries come and go but at this point in the season, time missed weighs more and more. For someone like him who’s only missed seven games, the best ability can be availability.

Not having the second-leading scorer on the team can throw the dynamic off. He’s improved as a scorer, but Brooks brings an edge that most in the NBA don’t seem to have.

But that’s not stopping head coach Jordan Ott from feeling too down on himself or the team after Brooks’s injury. Still, there’s a key to stopping the bleeding that’s been the team’s bread and butter.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves,” Ott said. “No one’s going to feel sorry for ourselves. They (Orlando) surely aren’t going to. They’re trying to go out and win the game just like we are. No one cares. No one cares. And the only group that can help us when you’re stranded is our group.”

The camaraderie is one of many focal points within this particular Suns team. But having Brooks and Devin Booker both out, with three games in the next five days, will be a big test.

Once again, it’s a next-man up mentality.

The post Dillon Brooks injury garners immediate support from Suns teammates: ‘That’s my guy’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Deni Avdija injury status vs. Suns

The Blazers have other players sidelined aside from Avdija. Damian Lillard remains out due to left Achilles tendon injury management. Shaedon Sharpe has a left calf strain, and Caleb Love is on a G League two-way assignment. Yang Hansen is also out while on assignment. As of Sunday morning, Phoenix had not yet submitted its official injury report.

Avdija has been a breakout force in 2025-26. He is averaging roughly 25 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while serving as a primary ball-handler. His all-around production earned him Western Conference Player of the Week honors in early January. He has also posted multiple 30-point outings despite managing the lingering back issue.

Portland (27-30) enters the contest looking to rebound from a 157-103 loss to Denver. That was an NBA season high for points scored in a game. Phoenix (33-24), seventh in the West, recently edged Orlando and has won the first two meetings in this season series. With both teams navigating injuries, Avdija’s status could heavily influence Sunday’s outcome at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

So, when it comes to whether Deni Avdija is playing tonight vs. the Suns, the answer is his status remains questionable.

Trail Blazers injury report

• Deni Avdija – Questionable (Low Back; Injury Management)
• Javonte Cooke – Out (G League – Two-Way)
• Damian Lillard – Out (Left Achilles; Injury Management)
• Caleb Love – Out (G League – Two-Way)
• Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Left Calf; Strain)
• Yang Hansen – Out (G League – On Assignment)

Suns injury report

N/A

The post Is Deni Avdija playing tonight? Blazers vs. Suns injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite his struggles, he remained aggressive, attacking the paint and creating opportunities until the very end. When the score was tied at 110, Green caught a pass from Royce O’Neale and sank a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer to clinch the win. After the game, Green joked about his mindset during that final play, saying, “At that point, it’s double OT; we just want to go home.”

The bizarre nature of the game caught the attention of notable NBA analyst Bill Simmons. He took to X to comment that “Suns-Magic was indescribable. Like the NBA Rockfight Finals. Jalen Green could not have been worse (6-26 FG!!!!) and then, of course, makes a fall-away buzzer beater in double OT to win it. Rivetingly weird game.” Simmons’ “indescribable” description perfectly captured the duality of Green’s night, with a game marked by offensive struggles, culminating in the most crucial shot of the evening finding the net.

This clutch moment marks a significant milestone in Green’s season, which has been largely affected by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for 41 of the team’s first 43 games. Since returning in late January, the Suns have viewed him as a mid-season spark, akin to a trade deadline acquisition.

While his rhythm has been inconsistent, head coach Jordan Ott defended his star’s performance, calling him an “incredible shot maker” and emphasizing how challenging it can be to hit a game-winner after struggling for four quarters. With this victory, which snapped a two-game losing streak, Phoenix is counting on Green’s ability to provide high-level scoring as they push for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

The post Suns-Magic draws ‘indescribable’ take from Bill Simmons after Jalen Green’s bonkers game-winner appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite shooting 6-for-26 from the field, his final make was the most important one. A fadeaway corner 3-pointer that sealed the win.

Teammates rushed him, the Mortgage Matchup Center became unglued, and what could’ve been disappointment for the Phoenix faithful turned into pure jubilation.

When Green walked into the press conference room, he was surprised that this was his first-ever NBA game-winner. But winning the game might not have been the only thing on his mind as he prepared to take the last shot.

At that point, it’s double OT, we just trying to go home,” Green joked. “But as I said, my teammates, my coaches kept talking to me the whole night. Just keep shooting. It doesn’t matter what the last shot is.”

Jalen Green had jokes when I asked him how he doesn’t overthink taking the last shot given the rough shooting night.

“At that point, it’s double OT, we just trying to go home.”

Continued: “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches kept talking to me the whole night. Just keep… pic.twitter.com/Lxw0JF4Qs4

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 22, 2026

Originally, the play was designed for Collin Gillespie. However, head coach Jordan Ott said that Green told Royce O’Neale to look for him if there was space.

Safe to say there was, and the rest is history. As mentioned earlier, he took 26 shots, but most of them were his usual looks. Even with Green being visibly frustrated, he kept taking his usual shots.

Being encouraged every single possession is something that can never be taken for granted. That might’ve had a good part of the game-winner.

Jalen Green’s game-winner shows irreplaceable impact for Suns

With Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin being sidelined on Saturday, someone had to step up to the plate. Green wasted no time taking matters into his own hands.

Towards the beginning of the game, he appeared to be settling for perimeter shots. However, as the game progressed, he attacked the paint more frequently and opened up shooting pockets for his teammates.

One thing remained the same: he was getting to his spots and attempting the shots he always does. While some fans weren’t pleased, his shot-making is what makes him stand above the rest.

“I think it’s pretty normal when you miss so many games,” head coach Jordan Ott said when asked about Green’s rhythm and game-winner.

“You’re not able to practice, not able to get much of a rhythm… but what is hard is to go through that and then hit a shot like that. He’s an incredible shot maker, incredible scorer. That’s what those guys do.”

Jordan Ott said to @Amanda_Pflugrad that he still had all the trust in Jalen Green after tonight’s performance.

“I think it’s pretty normal when you miss so many games. You’re not able to practice, not able to get much of a rhythm… but what is hard is to go through that and… pic.twitter.com/p1rUPFRA7v

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 22, 2026

His irreplaceable impact was heightened even more on Saturday. With the Suns playing in a back-to-back contest on Sunday, his minutes might dwindle or he might not play at all.

Regardless of that, he’ll likely soak in the next few moments of his first ever game-winner.

The post What went through Jalen Green’s mind before Suns OT game-winner vs Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jalen Green for the win. Suns take this one, 113-110.

Postgame interviews coming soon. pic.twitter.com/OzPTuSmCjV

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 22, 2026

Jalen Green’s game-winner at the buzzer snapped a two-game losing streak for the Suns that went back to before the All-Star break. He finished with 19 points, five rebounds, six assists and one steal in 37 minutes of play. He didn’t have the most efficient night, shooting only 6-of-26 from the field, including 2-of-11 from the 3-point line. But that last shot of his in OT was the biggest.

After missing 41 of the Suns’ first 43 games due to a hamstring injury, Green made his return to the lineup in late January. However, he was still bothered by injury issues and only ended up playing in five of the Suns’ games right before the All-Star break.

In the Suns’ first game back from the break last Thursday, Green moved back in the starting lineup and played a little over 26 minutes albeit in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He had 26 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals in that game.

With Green missing the majority for the first half of the regular season, his return to the Suns’ rotation was almost like a trade deadline acquisition in itself.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Green had appeared in eight games for the Suns at a little over 16 minutes per game. He had been averaging 13.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists with splits of 42.7 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 84.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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PHOENIX– The Phoenix Suns might have another name added to their injury report during the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic. Dillon Brooks suffered an injury scare and headed back to the locker room.

He was seen grabbing his left hand on a handful of possessions, especially after shooting the ball. Before leaving the game, he had five points and three rebounds on 2-7 shooting from the field.

After Brooks missed the last Suns game due to a league-mandated one-game suspension, many were eager to see him on the court. Even Brooks himself looked excited to be out there.

Not to mention, he’s only missed seven games this season. Health is wealth at this stage of the season, and losing him would be a brutal loss.

Dillon Brooks’s injury comes at a bad time for the Suns

The team is already missing Devin Booker for at least a week with a right hip strain. And even though injuries are common throughout the NBA, they feel like a persistent theme for Phoenix this season.

The Suns trio of Brooks, Booker, and Jalen Green haven’t played that much together. Much of the frustration boiled over in Thursday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs after Booker was injured.

That emotion might carry over into the rest of Saturday’s game, depending on how Brooks’s status improves or not.

If he were to be sidelined, it would put more of an offensive burden on Green, which might be scary considering he just came back from an injury of his own.

This isn’t the first bit of adversity thrown the Suns’ way, but it definitely didn’t come at a good time. As of writing this, there’s no official update but one should be provided either during or after Saturday’s contest.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks suffers broken hand vs. Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Highsmith spoke during his media availability Saturday about the impact Miami had on his growth as a professional.

“The Heat were the first team to really give me an opportunity. I learned a lot there defensively, work-wise, just how to approach every day as a pro and that’s really helped me in the long run. Obviously, I built some good character around the league and a lot of people respect me.”

Highsmith spent parts of multiple seasons with Miami, carving out a role as a versatile wing capable of defending multiple positions and spacing the floor. Last season with the Heat, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 74 games, including 42 starts. He shot 45.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range while logging 24.6 minutes per contest.

Haywood Highsmith on what he learned playing in Miami

“The Heat were the first team to really give me an opportunity. I learned a lot there defensively, about the work, and how to approach every day as a pro. That’s helped me in the long run… I built good character around… pic.twitter.com/VqXoLg4gD0

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) February 21, 2026

Heat experience shapes Haywood Highsmith’s veteran presence with Suns

After the Brooklyn Nets waived him, Highsmith signed a two-year veteran minimum contract with Phoenix. The 29-year-old is currently recovering from right knee surgery in August to repair a torn meniscus. Shane Young of the Suns’ official site reported that Highsmith will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.

Highsmith also outlined what he believes he can bring to Phoenix’s locker room as he works toward returning to the court.

“I think just overall, just bringing that winning aspect, that experience, and just knowing how it’s going to be each day – like I said, playoff moments, huddles, timeouts, and being there for the young guys here as well as I was in Brooklyn. I was a leader there so just trying to bring everything I can and be a good vet, a solid vet.”

The Suns (32-24) are seeking stability as they navigate the second half of the season. Phoenix will attempt to snap a two-game skid when it hosts the Orlando Magic (29-25) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. PT on NBA TV.

Highsmith’s experience in Miami’s playoff environment and his reputation as a steady defender could provide added depth once he returns to full health.

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Reports indicate that the 29-year-old shooting guard will be out for at least one week, according to Suns Insider Hayden Cilley. It’s said that Booker is dealing with a strain in his right hip and needs time to recover. Haywood Highsmith also received an injury update in Cilley’s report.

“Some injury updates for the Suns: Devin Booker will be evaluated in one week after suffering a right hip strain. Haywood Highsmith is continuing to rehab from his knee surgery and will be evaluated in two to three weeks.”

Booker appeared to suffer the injury in the first quarter while attempting to run around a screen. He initially attempted to return to action in the second quarter, but was pulled out of the contest soon after. The 11-year veteran did not return to action for the remainder of the contest.

Missing at least one week means the Suns will be without Devin Booker for the next four games. The first being Saturday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic. Collin Gillespie will likely replace Booker in the starting lineup for the time being. Jordan Goodwin could also see an expanded role.

Booker has played in 44 games so far this season. He’s played a key role when healthy, helping the Suns remain firmly in the mix of the Western Conference playoff race. This season, the five-time All-Star is averaging 24.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the three-point line.

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Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Following the massive success of the Nike Book 1, which debuted in early 2024, it was only a matter of time before Booker and Nike teamed up for a signature follow-up sneaker. Leaks eventually landed and the Nike Book 2 was revealed, taking serious inspiration from the classic Nike Air Spiridon running shoes.

The Suns visited the San Antonio Spurs just days ago to renew their rivalry from back in the 1990’s. Booker paid homaged to the city of Austin, Texas and the University of Texas Longhorns, rocking a burnt-orange colorway of his signature sneakers for the first time. While Phoenix lost the game 121-94, Booker was easily rocking the cleanest footwear out on the court.

Nike Book 2 “Texas” PE

Devin Booker brought out a new Orange Spiridon-inspired Nike Book 2 against the Spurs pic.twitter.com/RlJ5lkR7UA

— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) February 20, 2026

D Book brought out a new Nike Book 2 PE against San Antonio pic.twitter.com/vPXSF3CfVQ

— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) February 20, 2026

In debuting the new sneakers, we see a shimmering orange Nike Swoosh as the hallmark detail, playing into the Texas Longhorns theme while offering a perfect match to the Suns’ color scheme. The mesh upper, inspired by the Spiridon, comes in neutral white and black hues to further accentuate the orange swoosh. The shoes are based in a black and white midsole and outsole, making this one of the cleaner Book 2 PE’s we’ve seen recently.

While there’s no word of an official release behind this particular PE, fans shouldn’t be surprised if this one remains exclusive to Booker’s growing collection. However, there have been numerous times where one of his PE’s has manifested into a public release, so there’s always a chance to see Booker’s shoes hit retailer shelves.

What are your thoughts on this latest Nike Book 2 colorway?

The post Devin Booker rocks ‘Texas Longhorns’ Nike Book 2 PE appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Jalen Suggs injury status vs. Suns

Suggs has already missed 20 of the Magic’s first 54 games this season and is in danger of missing another. The 24-year-old has not missed a game since Jan. 22, but he is listed as questionable against the Suns while dealing with back spasms.

Suggs has frequently been listed on Orlando’s injury reports as a precaution since returning to the court. Back spasms are often minor, suggesting he will be on the court on Saturday afternoon.

The Magic are already shorthanded after Franz Wagner suffered a setback in his injury recovery, which has forced Anthony Black into the starting lineup. Losing Suggs would leave Jamahl Mosley without his best on-ball defender, likely giving the surging Jevon Carter a spot start.

It would not be surprising to see Suggs take another seat, considering he has already missed nearly half of the season, and the Magic have been hit hard by the injury bug. But given the nature of his injury and Orlando’s current situation, expect him to play.

Grayson Allen injury status vs. Magic

Unlike Suggs, Allen has not played in over two weeks. His last game came against the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 5, when he landed awkwardly on his leg late in the game. Allen avoided a major injury, but he has unsurprisingly been out of commission since.

Allen has remained out even after the All-Star break, missing the Suns’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The team initially reported it would re-evaluate Allen after the break, but nothing seems to have changed.

However, his being listed as questionable is a step in the right direction, suggesting a return could be imminent. If he is able to return against the Magic, it would be a near-miracle that the scary injury only cost him four games.

With Devin Booker also out, Phoenix has been forced to operate without its starting backcourt, leading Jordan Ott to turn to Jalen Green, who is coming off a 26-point game against the Spurs. Green has been starting with Collin Gillespie, which will likely be the backcourt tandem on Saturday against the Magic, barring a miraculous return from Allen.

Magic injury report

Colin Castleton — OUT, G League

Alex Morales — OUT, G League

Jalen Suggs — Questionable, Back spasms

Franz Wagner — OUT, Left high ankle sprain injury management

Suns injury report

Grayson Allen — Questionable, Right ankle sprain

Cole Anthony — OUT, Not with team

Devin Booker — OUT, Right hip strain

Haywood Highsmith — OUT, Right knee injury management

The post Are Jalen Suggs, Grayson Allen playing tonight? Magic vs. Suns injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While discussing the Warriors’ situation this season, Lacob made it clear that his team is not attempting to tank whatsoever, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard. He acknowledged Ishbia’s comments and firmly declared that Golden State is not an organization that will ever tank under his ownership.

“I saw where another owner came out today and spoke on [tanking], Mat Ishbia,” said Lacob. “I think, you know, it is not in my DNA, nor in this organization’s DNA, to do that… It’s not a good look. This is sports. We’re supposed to play to win. And that’s just not a way I would be comfortable, ever, trying to improve our team.”

Joe Lacob is a believer in the idea that his team, along with others in the league, should be competing their best for the fans who pay tickets to come watch their games and buy their merchandise. Overall, he wants to put the best product on the court, even if the club is experiencing some issues, like the Jimmy Butler injury, for example.

“Look, this season matters to the fans who bought tickets for this year,” Lacob said. “Hopefully, they’ll be our fans next year as well, obviously. I think you should always be trying to win and do the best you can. We’ve been dealt a couple of tough cards here right now. And our expectations probably shouldn’t be as high as they were. I thought, with Jimmy, since we acquired him, we were the fourth best record in the league, I think.”

Butler is out for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign due to a torn ACL injury. Once he was ruled out, the Warriors had every excuse to go all-in on tanking this season. Instead, the front office traded for Kristaps Porzingis, giving the roster a huge boost in the front court, which could ultimately lead to massive success if it pays off.

We’ll see how it plays out, though, as the Warriors are without Stephen Curry for the time being due to a knee injury of his own. Curry is expected to eventually return, but he will miss at least the next four games after having already missed Thursday’s 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics.

The post Warriors owner Joe Lacob sides with Suns’ Mat Ishbia on tanking – ‘It’s not in my DNA’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

He posted 26 points in 26 minutes, but it wasn’t the point total that stood out. It was his confidence. After Green battled a lingering hamstring injury for a majority of the season, the All-Star break was the perfect time to get things in order.

He even talked about using the break to get his physical condition back to 100%. Following the loss, Green said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin where he feels he’s at.

“I feel good. It’s the first time I’ve felt this good— s**t, the entire season,” Green said postgame.

Jalen Green being at 100% does wonders for the Suns

His availability has been the biggest question throughout the season. In the small sample size, Green offers something that no one else on the Suns can provide.

Lethal scoring, unmatched athleticism, and an underrated playmaking ability. At just 24 years old, he seems to be scratching the surface of his potential.

Playing alongside Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks certainly helps him, too, but Green has his own unique style of play.

No one on the team can truly attack downhill as he can and put pressure on the basket. Despite “missing” some of his usual looks, the fact that he’s attacking the paint with confidence is a major positive.

With Booker missing some of Thursday’s game due to right hip soreness, it might be on Green to put the team on his back and carry them through the pivotal stretch of the season.

The post Suns’ Jalen Green draws 1 silver lining from blowout loss to Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After a tight battle in the first half, the Spurs went off in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns, 37-22, to break the game wide open.

San Antonio notched its eighth straight win and improved to 39-16, while Phoenix fell to 32-24. The defeat could be extra costly for the Suns, as Devin Booker was forced to exit early due to a hip injury and did not return.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson sent a message of support for Booker, who has struggled to stay healthy this season.

“Hopefully, Devin’s OK. You hate to see injuries happen to one of the premier players in the league,” said Johnson, as quoted by The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.

Booker only played nine minutes, tallying five points and one rebound.

He has already missed 13 games due to an ankle injury.

Stephon Castle had 20 points, four assists, and three steals to lead the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama adding 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 15 points, three rebounds, and eight assists.

The premature exit of Booker further handicapped the Suns, who played without Dillon Brooks due to a one-game suspension.

Jalen Green, in his second game back from a hamstring injury, led Phoenix with 26 points, three rebounds, and three steals. Mark Williams contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds.

It remains unclear if Booker will miss an extended period, but as Johnson said, getting the All-Star guard back on the court as soon as possible would be good for the league.

The post Spurs’ Mitch Johnson sends heartfelt message to Devin Booker amid hip injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Devin Booker, the heartbeat of the Suns’ offense, exited early during a high-stakes Western Conference showdown against the San Antonio Spurs. The team later confirmed that the five-time All-Star would not return due to right hip soreness, leaving a massive void in the lineup.

Before the injury cut his night short, the Phoenix Suns guard was trying to find his rhythm after the All-Star break. Booker checked out, having played just 9 minutes, finishing with five points and 1 rebound. He struggled to find his stroke from deep, going 0-of-2 from beyond the arc, but he was active at the rim and the charity stripe to keep the Suns competitive early on.

Coming off the break, the Suns (32-24) are locked in a tight race to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Facing a red-hot San Antonio Spurs team that entered the night on a seven-game winning streak, the Suns were already shorthanded with Dillon Brooks serving a one-game suspension.

With Booker sidelined, the burden shifted heavily to Jalen Green and Mark Williams. The Spurs took full advantage of Booker’s absence, fueled by dominant performances from Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Devin Vassell, all posting 20+ points going into the third quarter. The Spurs are pulling away with an 89-63 lead at the Moody Center in the third quarter.

The focus now shifts to the severity of Booker’s hip issue. He has already dealt with right ankle injury management throughout February, and any extended absence from the Suns’ leading scorer, who averages 25.2 points per game, could be catastrophic for their seeding hopes.

The Suns return to action quickly, and the Valley will be holding its breath for an update on their superstar’s status.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker not returning to Spurs game with concerning injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

He called the strategy of tanking “ridiculous” and said, “it’s a loser behavior done by losers.”

“This is ridiculous! Tanking is losing behavior done by losers. Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations. And the talk about this as a ‘strategy’ is ridiculous. If you are a bad team, you get a good pick. That makes sense. But purposely shutting down players and purposely losing games is a disgrace and impacts the integrity of whole league.”

He also says that it’s worse than the prop betting scandal, equating it to strategically throwing games.

“This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically. Horrible for fans that pay to watch and cheer on their team. And horrible for all the real teams that are competing for playoff spots.”

Ishbia’s comments are noteworthy, as he joins the growing chorus of NBA executives, media members, and fans who believe something should be done about the practice. Ishbia’s comments, especially, ring true, as his team has undergone a renaissance since not making the playoffs last year. When Ishbia took over the Suns following the ouster of Robert Sarver, he orchestrated the trade of Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns. He then pushed for a trade that sent Chris Paul to the Wizards in exchange for Bradley Beal.

In both the Beal and Durant trades, the Suns sacrificed several first-round picks. It’s a double down on winning now. And even as the team’s ability to put together a Big Three with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal went awry, Ishbia and the Suns pivoted.

Instead of looking for first-round capital to tank and rebuild the team, the Suns built around the margins, acquiring Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green from the Rockets in exchange for Kevin Durant, as well as getting more size in the front court by trading for Mark Williams.

Now the Suns are 32-23 and ranked seventh in the Western Conference; they are only two games behind the Timberwolves for sixth place and three games behind the Nuggets for the third seed. Perhaps Ishbia sees the Suns’ quick roster retooling as the standard for how a team should rebuild.

The Suns head to San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs tonight at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

The post Mat Ishbia sounds off on tanking in NBA — ‘Losing behavior’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Does Suns’ Jordan Ott have a case for the NBA’s Coach of the Year?

Perhaps I’ve been pushing this narrative a bit too excessively, but it’s not because of direct bias. Most of it comes from the body of work, how the players have responded, and the adjustments made to correct any wrongs.

The first three games of the season showed some concern, even though there were clear asterisks. Playing on a back-to-back in Denver and then flying to Phoenix wasn’t easy.

Defense was the main issue, as they allowed 129, 133, and 138 points in their first three losses, respectively. As soon as that happened, it felt like everyone was on the same page.

A multitude of winning streaks, and eventually boasting, allowing the fifth-fewest points per game. Outside of Dillon Brooks, they don’t have an All-NBA defender on the roster.

Relentless ball pressure, constant communication, and a high basketball acumen are constant. However, much of it comes from trust, and it’s something he emphasizes.

Even Suns general manager Brian Gregory gave Ott a tremendous assessment during the All-Star break. Not to mention, they’re easily the biggest surprise, and that might push him over the edge of guys like J.B Bickerstaff and Mark Daigenault.

The backend of the season will indicate how close he is to snagging the award. If it plays out like the first half of the season, it could be Ott’s to lose.

How do you see Jalen Green’s role progressing or regressing in the closing stretch of the season?

This question will certainly catch many people’s interest. Playing only seven games has some cause for concern, but his comeback came at the right time.

It was right before the All-Star break, which gave him some time to physically readjust. Given that he’s a bona fide athlete and slasher, getting the mental side locked down was a necessity.

Green even mentioned feeling “close to 100%” after attempting a dunk on Daniel Gafford during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. All of that to say that he is ready to go.

But again, the question is: What will his role be?

As evidenced by when he’s been on the floor, and through the words of head coach Jordan Ott, he’ll be leading the second unit when the starters come out.

Green’s dynamic scoring and playmaking add a layer to a scrappy and defensively sound group. He’ll still be with the starters if the game gets tight.

The yin and yang effect between him and Devin Booker is too good to ignore. He’s also another scorer to worry about if you’re the defense. The more offensive weapons on the floor, the better.

When the time is right, Green’s confidence in his body will translate to what he does on the court. And in due time, he’ll be operating with anyone, but will be the secondary (and perhaps primary) punch that Suns fans have hoped for.

What part of being an NBA player is the most mentally exhausting that fans never see?

I can’t speak for the players since I’m not around them 24/7. But when I am around them, it’s quite impressive. They’re always working, practicing, and doing everything they can to be even 0.0001% better than they were.

Many of the things I see come down to game-time situations. Whether it’s late in the shot-clock or simply learning how to work in isolation, there’s an answer for every situation.

Also, players often stay after practice for extra work. Devin Booker, rookie Rasheer Fleming, and Mark Williams are just a few of those examples.

Some of it also deals with the media. I like to think that we’re relatively fair, but it can be draining hearing some of the same things being asked over and over again.

For instance, when Dillon Brooks picked up his 16th technical foul for the Suns, the media had to ask the burning questions. Luckily, a trustworthy relationship is the key.

Players know that we have a job to do and that we’re not directly attacking or trying to insinuate something. It might come off that way, but the majority of the time, it’s not that.

Being there consistently, not being afraid to ask tough questions, while still treating them as human beings with feelings and perspective, is what helped me to walk that fine line as carefully as I have.

The post Suns mailbag: Jalen Green’s role, Jordan Ott’s COTY case take center stage after All-Star break appeared first on ClutchPoints.

He touched on it during Ott’s inaugural press conference, and he did the same on Wednesday during a media availability. Gregory spoke to the media after the All-Star break, as well as the NBA trade deadline.

Phoenix only made one roster move, trading away Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards for Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. Despite those moves, more people are focused on how well the Suns have performed this season.

But as the players have suggested, and Gregory himself stated via Shane Young on X (formerly Twitter), it all stems from Ott.

“Coach Ott has done a tremendous job,” the Suns general manager said. He has created an environment where our guys are allowed and given permission to become the very best version of themselves. Not only as players, but as men as well. And that’s critical, that’s something very important to us. He coaches hard every day and holds guys accountable.

But he built tremendous relationships with all of our players, which I think you see on the court, and you see with the camaraderie amongst the team. All of those things have been very critical for us in getting to this point. The other thing with, is that, you lose sight of all the other people who are working as well. His assistants have done a great job.

Their relationship, their ability to push players, their ability to encourage players and have communication pieces with players that help them get through tough patches and different things like that has been very, very important.”

Jordan Ott has Suns GM Brian Gregory’s full support

Through the dozens and dozens of candidates Phoenix sought after, they knew Ott was the ideal fit. After all, he was in the running for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job that was taken by now-head coach Charles Lee.

Patience is a virtue, though, and it opened a massive gateway for the first-year coach to get his opportunity. For a team that won 36 games with three perennial superstar players, the Suns have nearly matched it before the second half of the season.

It’s not just the wins that matter, though. It’s the collective buy-in from everyone within the organization. When a player like Devin Booker speaks highly of Ott, people listen.

He’s not the only one, as players like Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie view Ott as a true student of the game and someone with such high basketball acumen.

The acknowledgement is good, but where is the proof?

Judging from allowing the fifth-fewest points per game and boasting the 11th-best defensive rating, the identity is clear. The offense might not be where people want it. However, there is nuance to it.

Jalen Green has been out for the majority of the season, and he’s starting to find his way back. With everyone healthy, the team’s potential is there.

Evidence is there, from early in the season to right before the break. The trust is there between Ott and his players, even if it might be uncomfortable to hear from time to time.

The backend of the season kicks off on Thursday, and if Ott can continue his momentum, then Gregory will have proved everyone wrong with his choice of the Suns head coach.

The post Jordan Ott’s ‘tremendous’ assessment has Suns GM dreaming big appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 29-year-old Booker was the oldest member of Team Stars, which was composed of the league’s top young players, including Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, among others.

During their game against Team World, Booker showed his experience, although in a different way.

Nikola Jokic lost control and could have crashed into former president Barack Obama, who was enjoying the game at courtside. Luckily, Booker lovingly pushed Jokic out of the way, earning a smile from Obama. Booker dapped up Obama before they shared a hug.

On Instagram, Booker had a clever description for his smart move.

“Secret service,” wrote the Suns star.

View this post on Instagram

Fans were all in for Booker’s post.

“D-Book for president,” said @vonn.2skii.

“BHM (Black History Month) brownie points,” added @d_rench.

“The next commercial! This wasn’t by accident. Fits perfectly with the Book2 campaign,” suggested @mizterkool.

“Why you so different, Book?” asked @thebogoshow.

“Obama was about to ball ,” commented @darlingnikki0616.

“Top-tier security,” posted @austinfritts1.

NBA legend Rip Hamilton also reacted, posting four fire emojis.

Obama was among the special guests of the All-Star Game. He also shared a moment with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, who played for Team Stripes. He even hilariously roasted NBA icon Reggie Miller during an interview.

Obama is quite familiar with Booker, as he spent time with Team USA before they competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Also, the former president is quite the basketball fan, so he surely knows the NBA’s biggest stars.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker has epic take on saving Barack Obama from Nikola Jokic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

For that, seeing Booker on the same team as him came as a surprise for Holmgren.

“Is that Devin Booker? On the young squad? He might bump it up a couple of years,” Holmgren said.

76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey gave Booker the same treatment.

“What’s up old man?” Maxey said, to which Booker resigned to being one of the older players on the All-Star game’s team.

“I am the old man in here, huh?” Booker said. “That’s crazy.”

Chet Holmgren: “Is that Devin Booker? On the young squad? He might bump it up a couple of years."

Tyrese Maxey: “What's up old man?”

Devin Booker could not escape the UNC jokes in the USA Stars locker room

(via @NBAAllStar)
pic.twitter.com/mP5N3k0WpF

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2026

In the end, Team USA Stars, including Chet Holmgren and Tyrese Maxey, beat Team USA Stripes. Still, it was most likely one of the first times Booker was the oldest player on his team.

Devin Booker hints at retiring from 3-point contest

Suns All-Star Devin Booker fell three points shy of winning this year’s 3-point contest, losing in the final round after he missed his final three shots that would have crowned him champion. Blazers’ Damian Lillard won with a final score of 29 to Booker’s 27, despite having the highest score in the final round (30).

After losing by two points, Booker talked about 2026’s 3-point contest potentially being the last he’ll participate in, he said, per AZ Central’s Duane Rankin.

“This one hurt a little bit. I wanted this one bad. Wish I was defending it in Phoenix but it’ll probably be the last time I do it next year if I get the invite. I’m looking forward to it,” said Booker, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central on X, formerly Twitter.

Lillard, who hasn’t played in a single game due to his ruptured Achilles injury, brought the trophy back to Portland.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker can’t escape All-Star weekend ‘UNC’ label from Chet Holmgren, Tyrese Maxey appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Booker looked to be in the driver’s seat to win the three-point contest down the stretch, but ultimately, he tapered off at the end of his final rack, losing the competition to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.

Now, Booker is getting 100% real on his anticipation for next year’s contest, which will take place in Phoenix at the 2027 All-Star weekend.

“This one hurt a little bit. I wanted this one bad. Wish I was defending it in Phoenix but it’ll probably be the last time I do it next year if I get the invite. I’m looking forward to it,” said Booker, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central on X, formerly Twitter.

Booker will almost assuredly get the invite next year to participate in the event in front of his home fans in Phoenix. However, as the star alluded to, Booker has to feel like he let one slip away over the weekend, getting off to a great start in the championship round before hitting a cold stretch at the worst possible time toward the end.

The loss gave Lillard his third three-point contest win and prevented Booker from taking home what would have been his second victory in that department. Meanwhile, Lillard recently hinted on Instagram that he would like to run it back with Booker, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson next year.

Now, Booker and the Suns will turn their attention back to the 2025-26 season, where Phoenix has been one of the most surprising teams in the league. The Suns currently have a solid chance to secure a top-six seed in the Western Conference as the season enters its home stretch.

They will next take the floor on Thursday evening on the road vs the San Antonio Spurs.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker hints at 3-Point Contest retirement after epic planned 2027 Phoenix event appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Booker helped Team Stars win the title in the All-Star Game after beating Team Stripes, 47-21, at Intuit Dome in the final on Sunday. He contributed five points, three rebounds, and two assists. In three games, he tallied 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

During a media scrum, Booker was asked about Bad Bunny’s performance last week at Levi’s Stadium. The reporter also mistakenly tagged him as having Puerto Rican descent like Bad Bunny, so Booker had to offer a correction.

“I’m Mexican,” said the five-time All-Star. “I didn’t watch it, to be completely honest.”

“I’m Mexican, I didn’t watch to be completely honest.”

Devin Booker on Bad Bunny’s halftime show pic.twitter.com/xzjkeZePzn

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2026

For the unaware, Bad Bunny dated Kendall Jenner, Booker’s ex-girlfriend, from 2023 to 2024. Fans even speculated that Bad Bunny’s verse on Eladio Carrion’s “Coco Chanel” was a major shade at Booker, although he didn’t mention any name.

Booker appeared to clap back at the award-winning rapper when he posted on Instagram: “He’s worried about another man again.”

Their past beef may be the reason why Booker, an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, was not interested in watching Bad Bunny at Super Bowl LX. But that’s just a theory.

Many hailed Bad Bunny’s performance as a cultural milestone for the NFL, as he became the first Latin male artist to headline the halftime show. He also sent a strong political message with his performance amid the immigration issues in the United States.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker issues blunt response to Bad Bunny question appeared first on ClutchPoints.

McClung helped release a series of online videos after the ’26 dunk contest completed. The fourth one, though, looked reminiscent of the famed Nash-Stoudemire headbutt dunk.

The four dunks @macmcclung37 would’ve done this year at this year’s dunk contest

Which one was your favorite? Text DUNK to 69097 to vote! pic.twitter.com/lrtNdcoFek

— Team VKTRY (@TeamVKTRY) February 15, 2026

Nash and Stoudemire created an epic soccer-like dunk back in the 2005 NBA All-Star game. McClung literally becomes the first to reenact that dunk despite not joining the festivities in Inglewood.

Why did Mac McClung skip 2026 NBA All-Star Game Dunk contest?

McClung likely would’ve entered the Intuit Dome as the heavy favorite to win again.

Except this year he opted to take a year off.

“I think there was just back and forth of us being like this, and then they were calling me, being like ‘People didn’t want to do it if I was doing it,’ and I thought it’s best if I just sit out this year and let it be, no matter what,” McClung said.

Another words — McClung opted to allow this year’s version to become more competitive without him. Participants would’ve faced feeling like they lost with the presence of McClung.

McClung is on a two-way deal with the Bulls, which he signed back on Feb. 5 on NBA Trade Deadline day. He can continue to bounce between the NBA and G-League.

Meanwhile, Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat claimed this year’s dunk title with an assist via famed rapper E-40.

The post Watch Mac McClung recreate Suns’ Steve Nash-Amar’e Stoudemire headbutt dunk appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Suns gave Highsmith a multi-year contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday. He considered signing with multiple playoff-contending teams before choosing Phoenix, Charania reported.

Haywood Highsmith has signed a multi-year contract with the Suns, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/YFlz0GCpdJ

— ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) February 14, 2026

Highsmith has not played a game during the 2025-2026 season due to an offseason meniscus tear. He was traded from the Miami Heat to the Brooklyn Nets in August before being released at the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Highsmith did not appear in a game for the Nets before being released. He has not played a game since April 2025, when the Heat were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.

The Nets waived Highsmith to complete their trade to acquire Ochai Agbaji at the deadline. Brooklyn also added Hunter Tyson and Josh Minott.

Before joining the Nets, Highsmith broke through as another one of Erik Spoelstra’s undrafted prospects. He developed a reputation as a scrappy two-way forward who played a key role in Miami’s 2023 NBA Finals run.

Highsmith figures to play a similar role as a three-and-D forward for the 32-23 Suns after the All-Star break. He shot 38.2 percent from three-point range with the Heat in 2024-2025 and 39.6 percent in 2023-2024.

Once he returns to the court, Highsmith could take minutes away from Jordan Goodwin, Ryan Dunn or Coffey. Highsmith gives head coach Jordan Ott another physical, lengthy wing defender to pair with Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale.

The post Suns sign Haywood Highsmith to multi-year deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Thursday, the NBA officially confirmed that Brooks would be suspended for the Suns’ next game.

“Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2025-26 season, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” said the league in a statement, per NBA Communications on X, formerly Twitter.

“Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game,” they added.

Brooks will serve his suspension on February 19 when the Suns hit the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs, which is the team’s first game back from the upcoming NBA All-Star break.

Brooks has been a revelation for the Suns so far this year, showing a much-improved perimeter scoring arsenal while maintaining his prowess on the defensive end of the floor. He was one of the key pieces that the Suns got back in their trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets this past offseason, and thus far, Phoenix has performed at a much better clip this season than they did with Durant in the fold.

In any case, trying to defeat the Spurs without Brooks in the lineup next week will certainly be a difficult task.

As the NBA mentioned, Brooks will have to be careful not to pick up further technical fouls this season, or else more suspensions could be on the horizon.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks officially suspended after receiving 16th technical foul appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Williams scored 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting in three quarters, leading seven Thunder players in double figures, as Daigneault reflected on how great a two-day span it’s been for his starting forward.

“He was cooking. That was impressive. He was in a great flow,” Daigneault said. “I thought he had a great blend of attacks, including some passes that were really, really good. He was doing a great job. It was an unbelievably complete game. It completes a really memorable trip for him with the high school jersey retirement last night.

“Then, for him to play in his hometown the way he did in front of his people is pretty special. So, I’m incredibly happy for him. We’re certainly thrilled to have him out there. He’s doing a great job.”

Williams checked out of the game toward the end of the third quarter with what looked like a reaggravation of his hamstring injury, which forced him to miss 10 games before his return against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder has yet to provide an update on Williams. Still, his 28-point performance against the Suns was done in only 20 minutes.

He also finished with five assists and four rebounds. Isaiah Joe continued his hot shooting streak with 19 points, including six threes off the bench, and Chet Holmgren added 13 points and four rebounds against the Suns.

Jalen Williams on jersey retirement ceremony amid Thunder trip

Over 60 members of the Thunder organization, including players, coaches, and staff, attended Jalen Williams’ high school jersey retirement ceremony at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona. After Williams returned from a hamstring injury during the Thunder’s two-game road trip, Jalen’s jersey retirement ceremony took place the night before Wednesday’s game against the Suns, as head coach Mark Daigneault noted after Wednesday’s win.

For Williams, it was a heartfelt reminder of where his basketball career began, during the champion’s fourth season with the Thunder.

“It put it into perspective a little bit more just because I was the first one up there. It’s my high school. I was 14 going there. I didn’t think none of that would happen. It wasn’t even a thought,” Williams said. “So, that definitely brings it a lot into perspective. Just how much it means to me and my family, and there’s a legacy involved in that. Then, having my brother go to that same high school and for him to win their first two rings ever in the program is really cool.

“It’s something that kind of goes by. I don’t really think about it. But yesterday definitely brought me back down to earth a little bit. Kind of reminding me of how far I’ve come.”

The Thunder will host the Bucks in its final game before the All-Star break.

The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault reacts to Jalen Williams’ ‘complete game’ vs. Suns appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It wasn’t an outburst that was the reasoning behind it– but rather– what an official thought was going on. He stated that official Jason Williams said that he was playing the victim too much, and that’s why he picked up his 16th technical foul.

The normally laid-back, stoic forward was more taciturn in his responses than normal, but it was for good reasoning. Majority of his questioning circled around his 16th technical.

He leads the league in that category, but in his defense, referees are quicker to give Brooks a technical foul than other players. But he was soon asked how he handles the frustration of the officials watching every move.

“Consistency,” he said. “If you’re going to be consistently bad, then be consistently bad throughout the whole game. Don’t try to fix it during the game.

“Don’t try to do any of that or try to even out foul calls or whatever the case might be. If you’re going to be bad, be bad the whole game.”

I followed up and asked Dillon Brooks how he handles his frustration when the officials perceive him the way they do.

“If you’re going to be consistently bad, then be consistently bad throughout the whole game. Don’t try to fix it during the game. Don’t be trying to do any of… pic.twitter.com/oncbOjHlx8

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 12, 2026

Dillon Brooks’s 16th technical foul is unfortunate for the Suns

The foul comes at a very crucial time. It took place during the last game before the All-Star break. Although Phoenix will look to rest up, if the foul stands, he won’t be able to play until Saturday against the Orlando Magic.

And as the rule goes, for every other technical foul (18, 20, 22, etc.) there will be an automatic one-game suspension. With how valuable Brooks is to the Suns, there might be ways to be cautious.

He mentioned possibly not even talking to the officials at all during the game. Finding any kind of temporary solution can help with a potential playoff push.

Also with Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and the rest of the team looking to be fully healthy, every person matters, especially Brooks.

Perhaps the backend of the season can entail a toned-down version of Brooks’s intensity for the sake of not picking up any more technical fouls.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks puts refs on blast after 16th technical foul appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Initially landing in San Antonio as the ninth overall pick out of Baylor, Sochan was a major project of Greg Popovich before he transitioned out of coaching into the front office. He played minutes as a point guard in an attempt to become a Ben Simmons-style supersized guard in a positionless basketball system, found success in the full court as an athletic finisher around the hoops, and ultimately transitioned into a sparkplug off the bench for Mitch Johnson when Victor Wembanyama became the unquestioned focal point of the team.

While Sochan’s development largely plateaued between 2023-25, with the Spurs opting to use him as a deep reserve in 2025-26, there were still teams that showed an interest in his services earlier this month, even if a deal couldn’t be agreed to before the deadline passed.

Now free to sign with any team he pleases, Sochan will not only be looking for a landing spot for the remainder of the season but a potential long-term destination for 2026-27 and beyond. Will he sign with a team with clear NBA Finals aspirations? Or will he instead look for fit over Finals odds, knowing that an impressive stat line to close out the season will help his cause in free agency? Needless to say, his mid-season free agency has the potential to be fascinating.

Jeremy Sochan could finally join the New York Knicks

For a time, it looked like the Knicks were going to leave the 2026 NBA trade deadline with Sochan in their rotation, with San Antonio reportedly not interested in taking back Guerschon Yabusele as compensation due to his 2026-27 player option.

Fortunately for the Knicks, not only were they able to pivot and ultimately leave the deadline with Jose Alvarado, who torched the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night off the bench, but now, they might just be able to have their cake and eat it.

Unlike in seasons past, when Tom Thibodeau would run his starters into the ground during the regular season, the Knicks actually are far more willing to share the load under Mike Brown, with 10 players on the roster having recorded at least 600 minutes of action before the All-Star break. Of those 10 players, however, only four are natual front court players: Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, with Josh Hart having to play up as a 6-foot-5 forward at times due to the team’s sheer volume of quality backcourt options.

What kind of role would Sochan play for the Knicks? Is he good enough to guarantee himself a spot in their playoff rotation, when regular contributors like Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet could be relegated to the bench? That remains to be seen, but he would be afforded a multi-month runway to show what he can do as a forward with some ball-handling abilities, which could then breed playoff opportunities if everything falls his way.

Could Jeremy Sochan find a long-term home with the Phoenix Suns? 

Despite having moved on from two multi-time All-Stars in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns would still be playoff-bound if the season ended today, with the seventh seed in the Western Conference guaranteeing the team a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

With four players who have started at least 40 games for the team in 2025-26, and a fifth, Collin Gillespie, falling just short of that mark at 34, the Suns are building a quality program that can succeed for years to come if everything shakes out in their favor.

What the Spurs don’t have, however, is a young forward who can build alongside players like Gilespie, Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach, and Devin Booker into the future, with Dillon Brooks currently 30, and Royce O’Neale the elder statesman of the group at 32. Sochan could immediately benefit from playing alongside floor generals like Booker and Gillespie, who are averaging 6.3 and 4.7 assists per game, respectively, and could form a quality two-man game with Jalen Green on the second unit when the former Houston Rockets guard is afforded a chance to run the offense.

Is Jeremy Sochan the ultimate Philadelphia 76ers reclamation project?

And last but not least, after leaving the trade deadline with just 13 players on standard NBA contracts, could the Philadelphia 76ers be the team that brings in Sochan as the ultimate high-energy guy at the four spot?

After largely looking to fill out their power forward spot with floor spacers during the Joel Embiid era, the 76ers made a conscious effort to change up their gameplan in 2025 in order to take some of the rebounding pressure off of “The Process,” signing Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker on two-way contracts to provide rebounding and hustle on the offensive glass, especially when Tyrese Maxey is driving to the hoop.

So far, the results have been very encouraging, with Barlow earning a standard NBA contract for his efforts and Walker potentially following suit before the end of the regular season, but neither player – nor Trendon Watford, the team’s other power forward – is a particularly effective shooter when the ball lands in their hands outside of right under the basket.

While Sochan was never able to become a 3-point shooter in San Antonio, capping out at just 30.8 percent from 2023-25, he did shoot over 50 percent from the field last season, and averaged over 11 points per game over his first 184 games of professional action.

With Maxey and VJ Edgecombe a pair of highly athletic combo guards capable of doing serious damage in the open court, maybe Sochan could become a power forward who splits the difference between Watford and Barlow, all the while providing some pop in the pick and roll as both a screener and ball handler.

The post 3 best Jeremy Sochan destinations after Spurs release appeared first on ClutchPoints.

For a team lacking in frontcourt size, they ended up getting a nice return. They sent away Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis in exchange for Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony.

While the latter might not suit up due to Phoenix’s loaded guard depth, Coffey brings something nice. He’s a versatile defender with an elevated offensive game.

The world saw glimpses of how he can be utilized off the ball when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Coffey brings size and adds to the rotation. He might not get minutes that someone like Jordan Goodwin receives, but that’s not to say he won’t be a valuable part of the team.

He’s a professional, has been in the league for seven seasons, and understands his role.

“He’s an NBA player. Amir has been around the league. He’s seen a bunch of different things,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said before the team’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 7.

“He kind of knows our style of play, even though we haven’t played those guys in Milwaukee. It’s more defensive, just coverages, terminology-based.”

Amir Coffey was the Suns’ win at the trade deadline

A good chunk of what they needed was ducking the luxury tax. After the Suns had struggles in the second-tax apron last season, that hasn’t been the case in the 2025-26 season.

Trading away Richards and Hayes-Davis allowed them to go beneath the luxury tax. Granted, team majority owner Mat Ishbia likely wouldn’t mind paying for it, but it gives them more flexibility moving forward.

Also, the previous two Phoenix bigs fizzled out of the rotation for the last month. They didn’t necessarily fit Ott’s system of pace, space, and versatility.

Coffey, on the other hand, has everything that the Suns are looking for. Size, shooting, athleticism, and most importantly, defense.

With the fifth-best defense in terms of points allowed per game and the ninth-best defensive rating, that’s their identity: defense into offense.

The Suns did exactly what they were supposed to do

It wasn’t an eventful trade deadline, but one that needed to happen. Trading Richards was a thought throughout the season, especially considering how the Suns’ center rotation stacks up.

They prioritize defense, length, and versatility. Richards doesn’t add much of that, even with being a solid post-threat and arguably the best rebounder out of the depth at the position.

For Hayes-Davis, his success overseas didn’t quite translate over. His high-post game required the offense to stall for a while. In an offense that prioritizes ball movement and spacing, it wasn’t a good fit.

Nonetheless, the two players maintained a good attitude and kept injecting life into the team, instead of removing any momentum from it.

Now, both players will have a chance to have increased roles with their respective teams. Meanwhile, Coffey goes from one losing team to one on the rise.

It seems that Gregory had a vision for the deadline and executed it to the ideal imagination.

Suns trade deadline grade: B

Again, this wasn’t a groundbreaking trade deadline, but one that fine-tunes the cap sheet and any roster flexibility for the summer.

The post Suns 2026 NBA trade deadline grade after 1 deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ishbia referenced the team’s strong first half while tagging Simmons directly.

“32 wins for the Suns and all before the All-Star break… think that puts us above your season prediction/bet of under 31.5 wins @BillSimmons! You guys usually have great content and good stuff… thanks for all you do. But also keep your eye on the Suns, like I told you… we have a different culture and team in PHX these days. We still have a long way to go but we are working hard to get there. Go Suns!”

Simmons responded by congratulating the Suns while noting that he had projected a 50-plus-win season for Phoenix last year before the team finished 36–46 and missed the postseason.

The exchange highlights a dramatic shift from last season’s disappointing 11th-place finish in the Western Conference. After going 36–46, the Suns initiated a significant cultural reset centered around roster construction and internal accountability.

That overhaul included the blockbuster multi-team trade that sent Kevin Durant away and brought back Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green as part of the return package. Brooks has emerged as one of the tone-setters in Phoenix, providing physical defense and consistent scoring on the wing. Green, meanwhile, has appeared in just seven games this season due to multiple injuries but remains part of the franchise’s long-term plans.

Suns’ offseason reinforcements reinforce Matt Ishbia’s vision for change

Phoenix also added frontcourt depth with Mark Williams and bolstered its rotation with Jordan Goodwin, moves that reinforced Ishbia’s emphasis on reshaping the team’s identity. Williams has supplied interior size and rebounding, while Goodwin has provided defensive intensity and backcourt versatility.

The Suns’ renewed focus on cohesion and accountability has translated to results. At 32–22, Phoenix sits seventh in the Western Conference and has already exceeded the preseason total Simmons cited. The team has leaned on improved depth, defensive pressure and a balanced offensive approach to steady itself after last year’s instability.

While the Suns remain a work in progress, Ishbia’s public confidence reflects belief in the organization’s direction. The franchise has placed a premium on culture, a point Ishbia emphasized in his social media remarks.

Phoenix will close the first half of its season Wednesday night against the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (41–13) at 6:00 p.m. PT before heading into All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The Suns’ turnaround has not erased last season’s disappointment, but it has shifted the conversation — including among national analysts who questioned their trajectory entering the year.

The post Mat Ishbia trades jabs with Bill Simmons over Suns’ turnaround appeared first on ClutchPoints.

He finished Tuesday’s 120-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks with six points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal. He picked up four fouls, but that seemed to be a microcosm of the game script.

Following the game, Coffey felt comfortable, but knew he needed to get caught up to speed.

“I got a lot of stuff to learn, a lot of stuff to go over, but at the end of the day, you still got to do your job,” Coffey said postgame in the locker room. “So, that stuff will come. But still got to go out and compete.”

I asked Amir Coffey how he’s able to play free while adjusting to the Suns terminology.

“I got a lot of stuff to learn, a lot of stuff to go over but at the end of the day, you still got to do your job. So, that stuff will come. But still got to go out and compete.

I followed… pic.twitter.com/MwLZXwELhI

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 11, 2026

Still, Coffey was able to play free, a signature point of head coach Jordan Ott’s scheme. Obviously, there are plays, but he wants players to feel confident in their respective roles, and Coffey fits that bill.

Amir Coffey has more room to grow with the Suns

Luckily, the Suns had two days of rest in between games. During that time, Coffey was studying the plays, terminology, and simply where to be on the floor.

Again, he is a professional, so he has an understanding of where to be. But there’s also the need to understand the system so he can maximize his talent and abilities on the floor.

With Phoenix establishing a solid rotation, throwing Coffey into the mix could stall what they’ve been building. But his performance on Tuesday gives the tell-tale signs that he’ll blend in.

Shooting, defense, and versatility are all things that the front office, and head coach Jordan Ott have sought after. The All-Star break is around the corner, and it might give Coffey time to learn more ‘stuff’ and apply it at game-speed.

The post Suns trade deadline acquisition has ‘stuff’ to learn after first game with Phoenix appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The latter is only shooting 31.1% from deep on 5.5 attempts per game. If the season were to end, it would statistically be his worst percentage of his career.

Nonetheless, Booker is eager to go, but knows there is an underlying reason for his invitation.

“We’re a 3-point shooting team, so I’m there on behalf of Collin [Gillespie], Royce [O’Neale], and Grayson [Allen],” Booker said in the locker room postgame.

“It’ll be fun. I like the game too. Everything’s earlier in the day now. … I’m already down there, and I can shoot off the rack pretty good.”

Suns star Devin Booker on being in the 3-point shooting contest:

"We're a 3-point shooting team, so I'm there on behalf of Collin [Gillespie], Royce [O'Neale], and Grayson [Allen]. It'll be fun. I like the game too. Everything's earlier in the day now. … I'm already down there… pic.twitter.com/KPOnj44SLz

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

Gillespie, O’Neale, and Allen have three of the top-4 attempts from beyond the arc for Phoenix. It buys perfectly into the ideology of the 3-ball and playing with space.

Devin Booker will represent the Suns shooters in the 3-point contest

Booker has won the contest before, dating back to 2018. He scorched the final round and had a record-setting 28 points in the final round. He has quite the competition, headlined by Damian Lillard and Jamal Murray.

He’ll have a busy All-Star weekend, as he’ll play in Sunday’s game as one of the USA reserves. It’ll be the fifth time that Booker is in the big game, in addition to the 3-point contest.

A good chunk of why he’s in, though, might have to do with how Phoenix plays. They are Top-10 in makes, attempts, and percentages from 3-point land.

Even if Booker isn’t contributing like his teammates in that category, shooting off a rack and not being at true game-speed can perhaps help him bring home a second trophy.

If he does, it’ll likely be split between Gillespie, O’Neale, and Allen.

The post Devin Booker’s shocking admission over 3-point contest invitation appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Booker has played in 32 minutes in each of the two games he’s played since returning from an ankle injury, and while he’s yet to fully get into the swing of things, the Suns have needed him to come back especially with Jalen Green still getting his footing back amid his battle with hamstring problems all season and Grayson Allen now set for re-evaluation after the All-Star break amid his bout with knee issues.

It’s not quite clear yet if Booker will suit up for the Suns’ contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow night on the second of a back-to-back following their 120-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

“He’s coming off a major ankle injury and he sped up his recovery to come out and play. Now that thing is hard on back-to-back nights. Check in with all of our guys. Back-to-backs are hard around the league,” head coach Jordan Ott said prior to the Suns’ win over the Mavs, as per Duane Rankin of AZ Central.

Before the game:

"When you've been out that long, it's something we're super mindful of."

Jordan Ott on Jalen Green when asked about the right hamstring injury in relation to the possibility of him playing the 2nd of a back-to-back Wednesday vs. OKC.

"It's why we'll stick to… pic.twitter.com/FRrmHWAguo

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 11, 2026

The Suns will be erring on the side of caution

The good news with Booker is that the injury he suffered isn’t related to soft tissue, which means that it shouldn’t be as susceptible to re-aggravation as Green’s hamstring woes.

With the All-Star break right around the corner, expect the Suns to be very careful with their most important players.

The post Suns news: Jordan Ott delves into Devin Booker’s ‘sped-up’ injury recovery appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the Suns locked in a battle for playoff positioning, they will want both Booker and Green to be fully healthy for the stretch run. This becomes a point of focus for Phoenix, as they find themselves heading into a back-to-back set, with a clash against the Mavs on Tuesday to be followed up by a battle against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

As per Duane Rankin of AZ Central, Suns head coach Jordan Ott said that they’ll “check in” on how Booker and Green respond to tonight’s workload against the Mavericks and proceed from there with regards to their status for tomorrow night’s game.

Their clash against the Thunder will be their final game before the All-Star break, so perhaps the Suns would deem it appropriate for Booker and Green to undergo some limit-testing of sorts as a week-long hiatus awaits them anyway after tomorrow night.

Suns grind through 2025-26 season despite being shorthanded

The Suns can never seem to get their full squad healthy. Just as Booker and Green have been getting their legs underneath them, Grayson Allen, who’s done a wonderful job in filling in for those two, is currently out with a knee injury and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.

Nonetheless, this is nothing new for the Suns, as they have done remarkably well in getting the next man up and ready. Collin Gillespie, who’s been great this season for Phoenix, will continue to play a larger role for the team moving forward.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker, Jalen Green injury timetable shared by Jordan Ott appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Some great examples of enforcers are Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, and Charles Oakley. While the enforcer role isn’t as common in the modern NBA, especially because the league has cracked down on physical altercations, there are a few left of the dying breed. That was on display in the Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets game on Feb. 9. While fights were breaking out, Isaiah Stewart rushed to the defense of his teammates to get involved in yet another squabble, proving he won’t let the role of enforcing go extinct. So, what other active players play the enforcer role well?

5. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Zach Edey was a polarizing player coming out of Purdue. The 7-foot-4 big man was a force in college. He won back-to-back Naismith College Player of the Year awards, something that hadn’t been done since Ralph Sampson in the early ’80s. Many didn’t think Edey’s interior-oriented game would work in the NBA, though. Scouts were worried about Edey’s foot speed, a lack of a perimeter game, and limited passing ability out of double teams.

It ended up not mattering, though, as Edey immediately became one of the best rookies last season. His size was too much for opposing players to handle, as Edey was a force on the glass and as a paint scorer during his first season. Edey also established himself as an enforcer for the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition to his 7-foot-4 height, Edey weighs 305 pounds. Nobody wants to mess with that, nor could they if they really wanted to.

While he doesn’t have tons of NBA tape yet, Edey has already stepped up to his teammates’ defense on multiple occasions throughout his young career. That is admirable, considering Edey’s young age. Unfortunately, Edey has been limited to just 11 games in year two. He has had ankle problems, something that is extremely worrisome for a man of his size. Hopefully, Edey can get healthy and return to the court to be a big body that nobody wants to mess with.

4. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

Historically, winning teams had enforcers to take on the dirty work. That has been proven true in the modern NBA, too. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending NBA champions, and they have an enforcer in Lu Dort. The Canadian forward is solid as a rock and can’t be moved from his space. He is built like a football player, and sometimes he plays like it.

The Thunder win a lot of games, and they rely on Dort to make sure opposing teams don’t take their frustrations out on players like reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Enforcers can get a little dirty sometimes, too, and Dort is no exception. In addition to being a ball of muscle, he has become known for tripping opponents and ensuring the players that he plays against walk away with a few extra bumps and bruises.

Dort is a rare player who can truly guard positions one through five. He doesn’t need the spotlight; he is just going to do whatever it takes to ensure his team’s success. Sometimes he crosses the line, but he is certainly one of the league’s best enforcers.

3. Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns

Dillon Brooks is getting the flowers he deserves this year with the Phoenix Suns. Brooks was long viewed as the NBA’s most annoying pest and one of the biggest villains in the league. Fans have seemingly come around on him this year, though. After being traded from the Houston Rockets as part of the Kevin Durant deal, Brooks has played perhaps the biggest role in the Suns being better than expected.

Brooks has never been one to shy away from irritating opposing stars. His rivalry with LeBron James is iconic. He defends the all-time great NBA player well, and he certainly gets under his skin. Brooks constantly irritates other stars, too. He plays through the whistle and knows how to use his body to create just a little bit of extra contact. He does it without it seeming too obvious, too.

Brooks’ antics led to him becoming hated with the Memphis Grizzlies, but his gritty style has become admired in Phoenix. It helps that he is having a career year scoring the ball, too. Brooks is averaging 21.1 points per game, but his insistence on annoying opponents hasn’t slowed down. Brooks is the king of rage-baiting and certainly one of the best enforcers in the NBA.

2. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Whether Draymond Green is an enforcer or a dirty player can be debated. He has had tons of egregious moments throughout his career. His spinning punch on Jusuf Nurkic, the stomping of Domantas Sabonis’ chest, and the chokehold he put on Rudy Gobert all come to mind. Players that Green matches up against tend to end up on the hardwood more often than not.

There is no doubting that Green will always have his teammates’ backs, though. Green thrives when games get physical. He also plays with a finesse player in Stephen Curry, and he makes sure that Curry isn’t on the receiving end of too much contact or any physical altercations.

Considering his Golden State Warriors have won four championships, Green has proven that the enforcer role is still a necessary one in the NBA. Green isn’t just out there to cause chaos, though. Although his offensive game is limited, like many enforcers before him, he is one of the best defenders in NBA history. Green can guard inside or outside and has a Defensive Player of the Year award to his name. He is also a solid playmaker on offense for a big man. Green knows how to get his teammates involved. He has been doing it with Curry, the best shooter in NBA history, and a point guard who likes to play off the ball, for the entirety of his career.

1. Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons

“You don’t expect me to stay on the bench,” Isaiah Stewart said. “The f*** was I drafted to Detroit for?” The big man known as Beef Stew made his role clear after his most recent altercation. Despite being on the bench when punches were flying and pushes were happening, Stewart rushed onto the court to come to his teammates’ rescue.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, “[Jalen] Duren and Stew consider themselves to be brothers. If you run two guys at one guy and you’ve already crossed the line, human instinct tells him to protect his little brother.” Bickerstaff was not only not surprised that Stewart rushed the court and attacked Miles Bridges, but he also borderline applauded it.

Stewart is willing to sacrifice ejection if it means protecting his teammates, which is evidenced by his eight career times being thrown out. This was far from the first time that Stewart has stepped up as an enforcer for the Pistons. Fans will remember when Stewart was bloodied up and chasing after LeBron James like a madman.

Stewart plays one of the most physical brands of basketball in the NBA. Everything he does is reminiscent of the Bad Boy Pistons of old, and he has carried on the legacy of an elite enforcer in Detroit quite well.

The post Isaiah Stewart and the 5 most intimidating enforcers active in the NBA appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, Durant is reflecting on what went wrong during his time in Phoenix, when he was paired with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

“I don’t want to undercut what we did during my time in Phoenix, because I feel like I had some great moments on the court there, too. But I feel like we were an older group that was kind of stuck in our ways as veterans—and veterans kind of do their own thing a lot,” said Durant during a recent interview with Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, per Boardroom on YouTube, via Hoopshype.

“When you’re with a younger group, it’s more tight-knit. They’re all learning together. It has more of a college feel, and I think that’s the difference,” he added.

Indeed, the Suns did not seem to play as a unit much during Durant’s time there, as Phoenix frequently found itself with four players standing and watching as one of its max contract stars played one-on-one, resulting in a product that amounted to far less than the sum of its parts.

The Suns were swept out of the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns in the 2024 playoffs before missing out on the postseason altogether in 2025, opening the door for Durant’s departure over the summer.

This year, Phoenix is playing a much more team-oriented style of basketball, with Dillon Brooks getting some All-Star consideration for his career resurgence, and Booker providing a steady guiding force to lead the offense.

If Jalen Green is ever able to get on the floor, the Suns could very well be a threat come playoff time.

The post Kevin Durant makes ‘stuck in our ways’ admission on disastrous Suns tenure appeared first on ClutchPoints.

His first four points came from acrobatic finishes that everyone is accustomed to seeing. When Green previously returned from his injury, he didn’t seem as confident getting up towards the rim.

Despite mentioning postgame in the locker room that he’s close to feeling 100%, this is an encouraging step. But the more important tidbit has been how he’s responded.

Aggravating an injury twice could sideline someone for a whole season, but not Green. Head coach Jordan Ott has spoken about his determination to be back on the floor with his guys.

While he is continually the team’s hype man, there was obviously some doubt throughout the recovery process, and even now. The thought of potentially being injured again has crossed his mind.

But it’s a part of the process when you’re on the shelf.

“It’s all part of the game,” Green said when asked about the mental hurdle of injury recovery. “You’re going to have high and low moments. Some days, I have my little moments. Some days, I see the vision of where I can be and where I could get to.”

I asked Jalen Green about his mental journey from rehabbing his hamstring throughout the season.

“It’s all part of the game. You’re going to have high and low moments. Some days, I have my little moments. Some days, I see the vision of where I can be and where I could get to.… pic.twitter.com/L18XTcPGnO

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 8, 2026

Jalen Green’s enthusiasm lifts up the Suns

Being on the court and playing is what most, if not all NBA players want, especially Green. After all, he didn’t miss a game the last two seasons, and then had his first major injury setback this season.

He suffered the hamstring injury initially during the team’s training camp, and didn’t play in the preseason trip to Macao. Nearly two months later, he made his season debut and lit everyone up.

It encouraged the Phoenix faithful, his teammates, and Green himself that not only does he fit in, but is an integral part to the team.

The infectious energy carried over, and he brought a dynamic the team never say: unwavering athleticism. Complementing his game with Devin Booker’s has provided the ultimate yin and yang effect.

The latter is methodical, patient, and picks his spots. Green on the other hand, will use his speed, athleticism, and scoring prowess to give his team a needed boost when the offense falls flat.

But even with the energy he exudes on the court, it carries to the bench when his teammates are getting in on the action. What he was wrestling with, though, wasn’t really seen.

The Suns know Jalen Green’s injury recovery is about the long-term

Two injury setbacks in the same season seem to feel like a call to be overly cautious, even if frustration leaks out. The daily, victorious, silent battles were reinforced by a shared vision between Green and the organization, as well as his teammates.

When asked if there was anyone specific who helped him, he credited everyone and said there isn’t one person to pinpoint.

Then again, that doesn’t mean every day was a good one. Despite not listing anyone specific, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Collin Gillespie are among his teammates who spoke on the record regarding his recovery.

Also, the Suns are in a prime position with Green. They sit with a 31-22 record and would be the No. 7 seed if the playoffs were to start as of writing this.

Much of their success came without Green, but when he’s played, he’s been an instant game and dynamic changer.

The hope will be for him to be healthy for the remainder of the season. But the adversity Green endured might be a battle cry for an already adversity-tested Phoenix team.

The post Suns’ Jalen Green reveals roller-coaster ride of emotions during hamstring injury rehab appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 76ers took the win, and Embiid finished the game with 33 points and nine rebounds. The one complaint from many who have talked about Embiid is his flopping, and Dillon Brooks didn’t shy away from it. After the game, he was asked about what it was like guarding Embiid.

“I can guard the flopping and all that. Went to the line 13 times. It’s a lot, especially for stuff that’s not even a shooting foul. It’s a great crew of refs that were reffing the game for Philly tonight,” Brooks said.

“I can guard the flopping and all that. Went to the line 13 times. It’s a lot, especially for stuff that’s not even a shooting foul. It’s a great crew of refs that were reffing the game for Philly tonight.”

Dillon Brooks speaks on what it was like guarding Joel Embiid tonight … pic.twitter.com/a2R2N66oiA

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 8, 2026

Just about a week ago, Sacramento Kings analyst Kayte Christensen spoke about Embiid’s flopping and didn’t seem to be a fan of how he was playing the game.

“I think sometimes there’s a little bit of flopping going on… throwing yourself into a defender and getting the benefit of a whistle, you’re too good for that,” Christensen said.

Unfortunately, Embiid has been playing that way since he came into the league, and honestly, it could be a reason why he seems to be injured often.

The referees still have not found a way to call the flopping, because he usually gets away with it more times than not. In Embiid’s case, whatever he’s doing on the court is working, so he’s not going to stop.

Brooks can feel justified in his comments after the game because he probably isn’t the only person who thinks that way, and if you have to guard him, you just have to be prepared for what’s going to happen.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks calls out ‘flopper’ Joel Embiid appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Dillon Brooks and Kelly Oubre had some words for each other after this play pic.twitter.com/EUdA6huY8s

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 8, 2026

The veteran forwards got tangled up during a high-intensity sequence in the second half. While Brooks typically relishes the “villain” role, observers noted that Oubre was the primary vocal aggressor this time around.

The two stars shared a few choice words before teammates intervened, adding another chapter to a game defined by grit and trash talk. Brooks and Joel Embiid were also seen jawing throughout the night, but the Oubre flare-up caught fans off guard simply because Brooks wasn’t the one to start it.

On the court, Dillon Brooks was the lone bright spot for a Phoenix team that struggled to find its rhythm. He finished with a team-high 28 points, keeping the Suns competitive on a night where they shot a dismal 11-of-46 from beyond the arc. Despite his scoring outburst and Devin Booker contributing 21 points in his return from an ankle injury, the Suns couldn’t overcome the superstar duo from Philadelphia.

Joel Embiid dominated the paint with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 29 points, including a clutch stepback 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to ice the 109-103 victory for the Sixers. Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 18 points of his own, ensuring his return to Phoenix resulted in a “W.”

The loss marks the third defeat in four games for the Phoenix Suns, who are still trying to integrate Jalen Green back into the rotation. While the drama between Brooks and Oubre provided some Hollywood-style entertainment, Phoenix will need to fix its perimeter shooting before its next outing.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks and Kelly Oubre exchange words after physical play appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While Booker suffered an ankle sprain and Green suffered a hip contusion, this is great news for Phoenix. In Thursday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, two players picked up injuries.

Ott mentioned that Grayson Allen and Isaiah Livers would be out until the All-Star break. If his two guards didn’t return, it would leave a fragile lineup for the Suns.

Although guys like Dillon Brooks have risen to the occasion, getting him the extra support would help. Booker and Green attract so much attention from the defense that the entire team can feel their presence without them needing the ball.

Devin Booker and Jalen Green will elevate the Suns’ offense

The Suns went 11-5 in the month of January, and a good chunk was without Booker or Green. That’s not to say that the team is fine without them. Actually, it’s far from it.

They create so much chaos for the defense with the shot-making, athleticism, and playmaking, among other things. Phoenix’s offense is heavily predicated on spacing, and those two fit the bill so well.

Also, both have played with the second unit and have thrived. Now, it’s worth seeing how Ott will use both players. They could play together for stretches, play separately, or have a mix of the two.

A depleted 76ers team might be all that the Suns need for their two guards to have a nice return game.

Still, they will need to go through their pregame routine for a final designation. And for whatever it’s worth, they are set to be on a minutes restriction, but that could change depending on the game script.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker, Jalen Green given green light to play vs. 76ers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Devin Booker injury update

After Suns forward Devin Booker made his fifth All-Star selection, he is hoping to play in his first game since January 23. While Booker’s upgraded status from out to questionable is encouraging, it’s difficult to predict if he’ll be suiting up in Saturday’s matchup against the 76ers.

Amidst another All-Star campaign, Booker is averaging 25.4 points on 45.6% shooting, 6.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game this season. The Suns have won four of their last six games, improving to 31-21, which is the seventh-best record in the Western Conference.

As for the question of whether Devin Booker is playing tonight against the 76ers, the answer is maybe.

Joel Embiid injury update

76ers veteran Joel Embiid finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and one steal in a 119-115 win against the Lakers. The 76ers won four consecutive games before losing two straight heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Suns.

In his first two games in February, Embiid is averaging a combined 29.5 points on 55.3% shooting, including 2-for-4 from deep, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. He led the 76ers to a 128-113 win against the Clippers.

However, when it comes to the question of whether Joel Embiid is playing tonight vs. the Suns, the answer is maybe.

Suns injury update

Allen Grayson — Out — Right knee sprain

Devin Booker — Questionable — Right ankle sprain

Jalen Green — Questionable — Right hamstring strain; injury management; left hip contusion

Isaiah Livers — Out — Left shoulder strain

76ers injury update

Joel Embiid — Quesitonable — Right knee; injury management

Paul George — Out — League suspension

Kelly Oubre Jr. — Left knee injury; injury recovery

The post Are Devin Booker, Joel Embiid playing tonight? 76ers vs. Suns injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, it’s common that Williams hasn’t played too many minutes this season. Despite his injury history and ramping up conditioning, some of it is matchup-based.

For instance, the last time that the Warriors and Suns squared off on the latter’s home court, Oso Ighodaro was the one who closed the game at the center spot.

But with an undermanned Golden State team, it would’ve been a grand opportunity to let Williams feast. Instead, he was reduced to watching from the bench and seeing the game slip away.

As Ott walked briskly into the press conference and up on the podium, he was taciturn in his explanation for benching the starting big man.

“We thought a little bit on both ends, to be up and aggressive like it was in the start of the fourth, really impacted them,” Ott said. “We’re going to have to go through that and see if that was the right decision.”

Mark Williams wasn’t a fan of Jordan Ott benching him

Now, players will play their role and try their best to understand the decisions being made. However, Williams seemed as confused as anyone as to why he didn’t play.

The normally jovial, wide-smiling center didn’t have his usual quirks. Instead, it was more serious and stoic, especially when approached about not playing in the fourth quarter.

“It’s tough. That’s what Coach (Ott) felt was best. We’ll probably go over it tomorrow in film, but I mean, I felt good,” Williams said postgame in the locker room. “I thought I’d get back in, but that’s how the game went.”

Jordan Ott gave his explanation for why Mark Williams sat the entire fourth quarter.

“We thought a little bit on both ends, to be up and aggressive like it was in the start of the fourth really impacted them. We’re going to have to go through that and see if that was the right… pic.twitter.com/LrbxNvpiHW

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 6, 2026

For a team that has an abundance of bigs, Williams has been the standout. He’s a true lob threat, paint presence, and someone with his near 10’0 standing reach, is a threat.

He’s more conditioned, knows when to be assertive, and has won the Suns games before. It just doesn’t make too much sense as to why he didn’t play for any stretch of the fourth quarter.

Weeks prior, Ott mentioned getting Williams involved in the offense more. But this might be the straw that breaks the team’s back and prevents future wins from happening in situations like these.

The post Jordan Ott’s strange explanation for benching Mark Williams in Suns loss vs Warriors appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Warriors finish the escape act in a WILD sequence pic.twitter.com/zyFiICsCaK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 6, 2026

The game looked like a wrap when Phoenix opened up a double-digit lead in the final frame, but the Dubs’ bench had other plans. The ending featured one of the wildest sequences of the 2025-26 season. With the score knotted at 97-97 and under a minute remaining, the Suns looked to their primary initiator to settle the nerves. Instead, Warriors forward Gui Santos played the role of the spoiler.

Collin Gillespie was denied at the rim, and Santos took the ball coast to coast for a contested layup, giving the Warriors a 99-97 lead. Then came the final sequence, Dillon Brooks shot a tough contested three-pointer and rimmed out, the rebound was collected by Gary Payton before being smothered by Suns players.

The ball fell out of his hands and was heading out of bounds, until Horford, in a last-ditch attempt, hooked the ball back into the court. Moses Moody fought tooth and nail for the ball and passed it to a wide-open De’Anthony Melton, who scored a wide-open layup to end the game.

The ending sequence was absolute chaos and even had Stephen Curry running and jumping around the court after the match. Despite Brooks’ 24-point game, the Suns just had no answer to the Dubs comeback. Even without their key players, the Warriors did the unthinkable, they just wanted it more.

The post Warriors cap off wild comeback win over Suns with insane sequence appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Allen was going for the rebound with three minutes left in the fourth quarter when he accidentally stepped on the foot of Gary Payton II. Allen winced in pain as he fell to the floor.

While he was able to walk it off, he went straight to the locker room.

Suns cannot catch break on injuries. Grayson Allen looks to roll his ankle. He looked like he was in a lot of pain. Hope it’s not serious pic.twitter.com/7qEZNRY8vE

— Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) February 6, 2026

Allen finished with 21 points, including five three-pointers, in 33 minutes. He also had five rebounds and four assists.

The Suns fell short against the Warriors, 101-97, to drop to 31-21.

The exit of Allen was a big blow to Phoenix, as he was keeping the team in the game, along with Dillon Brooks. The Suns were outscored by the Warriors in the final quarter, 25-15.

An ankle injury has already forced Devin Booker to miss their last seven games.

The 30-year-old Allen has stepped up in Booker’s absence, averaging 20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in their last seven outings.

It remains unclear if he will have to sit out for an extended period. He has already missed 18 games this season.

Brooks led the Suns against the Warriors with a game-high 24 points, although he needed 24 shots. Mark Williams added a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Suns are 6-4 in their last 10 assignments. They will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

Phoenix acquired Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey in a three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

The post Suns’ Grayson Allen limps to locker room after awkward fall vs. Warriors appeared first on ClutchPoints.

One of those moves was a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

“The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, sources tell ESPN,” reported NBA insider Shams Charania on X, formerly Twitter.

Let’s take a look at how both sides fared in the deal.

Milwaukee Bucks trade grade

By making this move, the Bucks have added another solid center to their rotation, the former Charlotte Hornets big man who now figures to back up Myles Turner.

Anthony hadn’t contributed much in Milwaukee this year, so the Bucks won’t be missing a lot of production in their backcourt in the wake of this move.

The big question for Milwaukee moving forward will be whether the team will opt to shut Antetokounmpo down for the rest of the year in hopes of improving their NBA Draft lottery odds. Antetokounmpo is currently out of the lineup due to a calf injury, which has become a big problem for him in recent years.

All told, however, the Bucks did well to add a serviceable rotation player for a low price.

Grade: A

Phoenix Suns trade grade

The primary incentive for the Phoenix Suns in this deal appears to have been to get under the next tax apron, which they were able to do by shedding the salaries of Richards and Hayes-Davis.

They will also add a player in Anthony who has been quiet for the Bucks this year, but had some moments as an explosive microwave scorer during his days with the Orlando Magic. This will be especially important for the Suns considering that injuries have been a problem for both Devin Booker and Jalen Green so far this year.

While this trade isn’t necessarily a needle-mover, overall, the Suns were able to help themselves out financially at a relatively low cost.

The post Bucks, Suns trade grades for Cole Anthony-led deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Thursday, it was reported that Ousmane Dieng will be sent to the Bucks and that Nick Richards is coming from the Suns to the Bulls, per Shams Charania of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter. Originally, Dieng came to Chicago as part of the three-team exchange with the Charlotte Hornets and OKC Thunder. A deal that sent Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. to Charlotte.

This move is part of the Bulls’ effort to acquire a big man after trading away Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round draft pick.

The Bucks made this move with the Suns in part to refute any speculation that they were looking to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Richards, 28, is a 6-foot-11 center who’s in his sixth NBA season. In 2020, he was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans out of Kentucky. Ultimately, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets and played five seasons.

Last January, Richards was sent to the Suns. In his first game, he scored 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and shot 7-for-8 from the field.

This year, he’s played in 28 games and is shooting 49.3% from the field. Overall, Richards is known for being an effective rim runner, rebounder, and shot blocker.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are now lacking in size and presence in the paint. Aside from Vucevic, Zach Collins is still out with a lingering toe injury.

The post Bulls hope in Bucks-Suns trade to land a center appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the Suns and Milwaukee Bucks made a trade for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, it felt like an inevitable move. Both players were receiving minimal playing time, but were still engaged and kept Phoenix’s culture within the team.

They could’ve easily sat and pouted, but chose to be the example of veteran leadership. Still, that doesn’t mean that the uncertainty vanishes as the NBA trade deadline season begins and concludes.

For Allen, it’s something he doesn’t pay much attention to because of his heightened perspective.

“Worrying about it for a week doesn’t really matter,” Allen said after the Suns’ morning shootaround on Thursday. “(There were) years where I wasn’t really worried about it all… It’s just not worth worrying about.”

I asked Grayson Allen how he doesn’t let the uncertainty of the trade deadline get to him.

“Worrying about it for a week doesn’t really matter. (There were) years where I wasn’t really worried about it all… it’s just not worth worrying about.” pic.twitter.com/8hp7MeEmNg

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 5, 2026

Grayson Allen dissects the Suns-Bucks trade

As Allen walked to the pool of reporters, he understood someone would ask about the trade. Granted, he’s not the general manager or the one making those executive decisions.

Regardless, he knows it’s difficult to move on from teammates he built a relationship. To have it happen so quickly is usually what trips many up, but not Allen.

He knows the name of the game, but also made sure to give his former teammates their flowers on the way out.

“Great teammates. They’re a great part of our team,” Allen said. “Energy, work ethic, their attitude in practice, their attitude towards the group, even when they’re not playing, was awesome this year. They didn’t take away from what we were doing.”

Grayson Allen had nothing but love for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards when @DuaneRankin asked about the Suns trade with the two players.

“Great teammates. They’re a great part of our team. Energy, work ethic, their attitude in practice, their attitude towards the group even… pic.twitter.com/Ja1vtuybu0

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 5, 2026

In return, Phoenix received Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. It’s unsure if both men will receive substantial playing time or any. One thing is for certain: the Suns culture isn’t changing because of a trade.

The rotation seems set in stone, so messing with it could mess some things up. No matter what, Allen knows the NBA trade deadline is almost over, and the increased worry is over.

The post Grayson Allen drops NBA trade deadline revelation after Suns-Bucks trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

All of the players involved in the trade are on expiring contracts, and the Bucks now have depth at the forward and center positions for the rest of the season. For the Suns, they get under the tax, which is what they wanted to accomplish at the deadline. This doesn’t seem to be the only move the Bucks plan on making before the deadline, and expect them to be similar to the one with the Suns.

“Over the last week, the Bucks have been focused on incoming calls for Giannis Antetokounmpo and canvassing the NBA for small salary trades. Milwaukee remains in talks to complete potentially more of the latter here on deadline day,” Charania wrote.

For over a week, the Bucks have been listening to calls for Antetokounmpo as teams have tried to put together packages to acquire the star player. In the end, it seems as if the Bucks weren’t really trying to trade him before the deadline, and they’ll most likely wait until after the season to get a deal done.

Antetokounmpo did note in one of his latest interviews that if the Bucks could convince him that they can make moves to improve the team for next season, he could see himself staying. If they’re able to make the right moves between now and the offseason to land another star such as Ja Morant, there’s a chance that Antetokounmpo buys in and sticks with the team where he’s been his entire career.

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Stephen Curry injury status vs. Suns

Stephen Curry is ruled out on the injury report, as he will miss his Tuesday’s 113-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons. He will also miss Thursday’s matchup. Curry’s MRI revealed the severity of his knee injury, which was the fact that he missed a major injury. 

The Warriors have lost five of their last seven games, incluiding a 26-point blowout (111-85) to the Timberwolves, and an 18-point loss (145-127) to the Raptors. Due to his knee injury, Curry has been in and out of the lineup throughout the Warriors’ previous seven-game stretch. 

Despite a slight dip in his production, Curry has remained consistent in January, averaging 24.6 points on 46.7% shooting, including a 38.4% clip from deep, 5.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. The Warriors dropped to 27-24 on the season, and will look to bounce back from their two-game skid without Curry on Thursday. 

Therefore, when it comes to the question of whether Stephen Curry is playing tonight vs. the Suns, the answer is no.

Warriors injury report

Jimmy Butler III — Out — Right ACL tear

LJ Cryer — Out — Left hamstring injury management 

Seth Curry — Out — Left sciatic nerve

Stephen Curry — Out — Right patellofemoral pain syndrome

Jonathan Kuminga — Out — Left knee bone bruise

Suns injury report

Devin Booker — Out — Right ankle sprain

Jalen Green — Questionable — Right hamstring injury management; left hip contusion

The post Is Stephen Curry playing tonight? Warriors vs. Suns injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NBA insider Matt Moore floated the idea of Green heading to the Phoenix Suns as a great fit, even though Green and Dillon Brooks have held a grudge against each other for a while. Moore says the two might fistfight at first, but after that, they would be a tough team that can withstand the outside noise.

Moore specifically said, “I actually think a great fit for him is Phoenix. Yes, he and Dillon Brooks would fight. But after that first fight, they’d be a tough team, and they have the culture to withstand his nonsense.”

Most recently, Green and Brooks went back and forth about podcasting while playing. Brooks reignited the feud after saying Green is not good at basketball because their focus is elsewhere.

I’m getting on dudes that want to do the podcast while they’re playing,” Brooks, who took home Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, said. “They’re all terrible.”

“He talks too much for me,” Brooks added. “But I’m saying they’re not good at basketball because they’re so focused on the (podcasts).”

It did not take long for Green to see what he said and clap back at him.

“I don’t really feel the need to get into a back-and-forth. If I were Dillon Brooks, I wouldn’t have much love for this podcast, either, because he was annihilated on this podcast,” Green said Monday. “It possibly aided in him being traded away from the Memphis Grizzlies, where he ultimately said he really enjoyed playing. I get it. I completely get it.

“I know my name moves waves around this place,” Green said. “So, I get it. ‘Say Draymond’s name, I get a little more attention.’ That’s cute. And I respect it because it’s true. Unfortunate that he wasn’t able to make his first All-Star game.”

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He dropped a career-high 30 points in what has already been a career season for the Villanova guard. Because of his scoring efforts, the Suns took down the Trail Blazers, 130-125.

While Gillespie had been on the Suns’ radar for quite some time, dating back to last season, this has been the breakout year for him under rookie head coach Jordan Ott.

In the first quarter, it was looking like Portland was going to blow out Phoenix, but that’s when Gillespie entered the conversation.

A multitude of off-ball threes and the confidence to attack his defenders left the opposition with no answers. Following the game, he had one word to describe his performance.

“Massive,” Gillespie said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on X (formerly Twitter).

Collin Gillespie has embraced being the Suns’ closer

In a season without Green playing majority of the games, it’s thrusted Gillespie into more of an offensive role. Even dating back to Ott’s media day, he mentioned that he would maximize Gillespie’s skill set.

The latter even mentioned it after the Suns win against the Brooklyn Nets via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. It’s something that has caught outsiders attention, and for good reason.

After all, Gillespie helps bring that dog mentality for the Suns with his gritty yet polished game. A near 43% shooter from deep should, and does have all the confidence to score. He’s given the green light on nearly every look.

As long as the trust continues to be there between teammates and coaches, Gillespie will have the green light to keep showing how massive his impact is on the floor.

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Most notably, he won the Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career. He averaged 28.8 points per game while shooting 54.5% from deep and led Phoenix to a 3-1 record.

It most notably included his 40-point night against the Detroit Pistons. His teammates weren’t too impressed with his career season, and not even his head coach, Jordan Ott.

Regardless, Brooks feels there is a simple explanation for his first win of the award.

“My teammates were getting me the basketball. Feel like I was pretty on the whole week. Feels amazing. Just want to replicate it again,” Brooks said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on X (formerly Twitter).

Dillon Brooks has the Suns soaring high

Even without Devin Booker and Jalen Green, the Suns look like a complete and well-rounded team. The head of the snake is Brooks, who has led the charge on offense and defense.

Without Booker, Brooks has averaged 23.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Those are substantial increases from his career averages.

But throughout the season, he’s referenced his work in the summer and how much dedication he put into his craft. Safe to say that it’s played out nicely for himself and for Phoenix.

I asked Dillon Brooks what sparked the change in his offensive game from last season to now.

“I knew after the (first-round) series with Golden State, that I wanted to be more of a scorer. More of an option. So, the whole summer I was working on things and then when the trade… pic.twitter.com/fJDwYiG6tH

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) January 30, 2026

The All-Star break is right around the corner, and Brooks didn’t find himself in that game. His first-ever award might give him the recognition he’s deserved this season.

Regardless of what happens, he’s focused on winning and continuing to build a lasting culture in Phoenix.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks speaks up on first-ever honor 9 years in the making appeared first on ClutchPoints.

His latest victim was Dillon Brooks, who was on a stream a couple of days ago talking about players who have podcasts during the season.

“I will be getting on dudes for the guys who want to do podcasts when they are playing. They are all terrible. They talk too much for me. They’re not good at basketball, so focus on hoops,” Brooks said.

Everyone assumed that Brooks was talking about Green, and the Warriors’ forward probably assumed the same thing, which is why he responded in this way.

“I found it funny. I thought it was cute,” Green said. “Like those guys talk too much on those podcasts. I think there are some people that you could say that about. You said, ‘they’re not good at basketball.’ When I started this podcast, what made guys really comfortable with having this podcast was because I was an All-Star and a world champion, NBA champion in the same year. So we’ve heard that noise before.”

Green then speculated since Brooks has been a few streams recently, he has to be coming out with something soon.

“I would just tell y’all, look out for something big from Dillon Brooks, like maybe he’s about to become a streamer or something of that nature,” Green said. “Maybe he’s just something he’s about to release or something. Because he keeps going and talking like he’s trying to create these headlines and if I’m a part of your album roll out I get it. I know my name moves waves around this place. So I get it. Say Draymond’s name and get a little more attention, that’s cute and I respect it because it’s true.”

Green and Brooks have had their history over the years, and it seems as if there’s no love lost between the two.

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While he’s averaging 25.4 points, 6.2 assists, and four rebounds per game, this isn’t his best statistical year. Even last season he had better statistics at this point in the season.

For much of the voting for reserves, it comes back to the coaches. That’s something Suns head coach Jordan Ott emphasized with Booker.

But for the latter, he understands that his teammates were the ones who got him his fifth nomination.

“First I’ve got to thank the team… I’ve had statistically some better years where I didn’t make the game… it all comes back to team success,” Booker said during the Suns broadcast on Sunday.

Devin Booker’s All-Star nod shows the Suns’ success

As has been the theme all season, Phoenix has surprised everyone with how impactful they’ve been. Along with Ott being a first-year head coach, the Suns have a 30-20 record.

They currently sit at the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. But more impressive than anything would be that they’ve nearly matched last season’s win total before the All-Star break.

Much of their success, though, comes from their All-Star. After all, Booker sets the tone for the Suns, and the team has understood that clearly.

Again, many accolades stem from team success, as he alluded to during his interview with the broadcast team. But that’s not to say he hasn’t improved his game at all.

For instance, Booker has handled double teams, blitzes, and traps, extremely well. Last season, he might’ve thrown the ball away or forced something to happen. Now, there’s so much trust in the system, teammates, and the coach.

Even though he’s bouncing back from an ankle sprain, his on-court work is encouraging. But it might also be noteworthy if he sits out for the remainder of the first-half of the season so he can play in the All-Star game.

The post Suns’ Devin Booker gives teammates flowers after All-Star nod appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While Booker has been absent with an ankle sprain, the game he’s played in, his impact is there. They have a 26-15 record when he’s playing, along with a 117.7 offensive rating (which would be the sixth-best currently).

For head coach Jordan Ott, he’s always known how good Booker was, and is, as a player. In his first season, he’s consistently been raved about as coachable and a leader.

Even though his game isn’t overly flashy, everyone in the locker room knows that Phoenix is his team. Ott is simply glad that Booker received recognition for his play.

“The coaches get the vote on the reserves, which is a good thing, because we see how coaches prepare for him, especially this season,” Ott said via PHNX Suns on X (formerly Twitter). “The amount of bodies that he’s seen time and time again, and the impact he has on the court, in the locker room, on our entire city and organization.

“Again, not enough good things to say when you have a superstar that does all the things that no one sees and does all the stuff on the court. We’re glad he’s in there, and he deserves to be. I’m glad he’s recognized by the coaches, which is the group that you want to be respected by, the players and coaches. He obviously has that.”

Jordan Ott knows Suns’ Devin Booker deserves to be an all-star

In a complete turnaround, the Suns are taking the NBA by surprise. Many wrote them off before the season began. But through trust, with time, in addition to following Booker’s lead, they’ve ascended.

Phoenix is currently 30-19, and has nearly matched last season’s total before the all-star break. Much of the success has to do with Booker and his play.

The statistics won’t blow anyone away, but he’s likely having his most complete season. He’s handling double-teams and traps as well as being the initiator on offense.

He’s given guys like Collin Gillespie and Oso Ighodaro the confidence to be themselves and play to their strengths. Booker might not be overly aggressive, but he commands respect.

And like Ott said, the coaches vote on the reserves, and nearly every coach has described Booker’s evolution and how much of a challenge it is to guard and game plan for him every night.

Despite him still being out, this could push Booker to get closer to recovery in anticipation of the big game.

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Jalen Green’s injury status vs the Clippers on Sunday

Green was listed as questionable in the lead-up to the Suns-Clippers clash, but he will officially not play due to his hamstring and hip injuries, according to ClutchPoints’ Suns writer Hayden Cilley. Green has appeared in just four games for Phoenix this year after a trade sent him there from the Houston Rockets, although he did play in the Suns’ last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, which turned out to be a blowout home win.

Meanwhile, Devin Booker will remain out of the lineup for this game due to an ankle sprain.

For the Clippers, no one appears on the injury report outside of the players who have already been ruled out for the long term, including both Bradley Beal and Derrick Jones Jr.

The Suns have been one of the biggest success stories in the NBA so far this year, with Dillon Brooks turning up his offensive output several levels, including a 40-point game earlier this week. Meanwhile, the fact that Green hasn’t even hit his stride yet this season for Phoenix is certainly cause for optimism for the franchise moving forward, and it will be fascinating to see how head coach Jordan Ott and company choose to integrate the talented wing into a system that is already clearly working.

In any case, tipoff between the Suns and Clippers is set for Sunday evening at 8:00 pm ET from Phoenix.

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According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Suns discussed a potential trade for San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, but faced a financial hurdle in the process.

“The Phoenix Suns, who are seeking power forward depth, are among several teams that have checked in on San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, league sources told HoopsHype. Suns center Nick Richards was brought up during exploratory talks, sources said. However, such a move would push the Suns further above the luxury tax, which is not ideally something Phoenix wants to do,” wrote Scotto.

“Sochan, a 22-year-old forward who’s averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds over the previous three seasons combined, is eligible for up to a $9.62 million qualifying offer this summer that would make him a restricted free agent.”

Sochan has seen a drop in minutes this season and has not been a consistent part of the Spurs’ rotation. This is not the first indication that San Antonio has considered dealing the former first-round pick.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Spurs had also spoken with the New York Knicks about potentially acquiring Guerschon Yabusele with a framework that could have also included second-year guard Pacome Dadiet in exchange for Sochan.

Phoenix would benefit from adding a player such as Sochan as they attempt to make the postseason, but it remains to be seen if any contender will have the right financial standing to complete such a deal ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

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Before Brooks ended up in Phoenix, the forward had stops in Memphis and Houston. However, it seems like Brooks almost went in a different direction. In a recent appearance on a livestream, the Suns forward said that he was almost traded to the Golden State Warriors from the Grizzlies.

“Funny part is when I was on Memphis they were trying to trade me to the Warriors,” Brooks said. “That’s what was shocking about the hate. Fans don’t know that”

Brooks was drafted by the Rockets in 2017, but he ended up making his debut with the Grizzlies. There, the forward built a reputation as a hard-nosed defender who also had a knack for getting under his opponent’s skin. After six seasons with Memphis, Brooks was moved to the Rockets (when he supposedly was almost traded to the Warriors). He then was traded to the Suns this past offseason as part of the Kevin Durant trade.

Brooks has made the most of his opportunities as a member of the Suns. He’s averaging 21.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game starting for Phoenix, all while still managing to annoy his opponents to no end. His All-Star case is slim, but the fact that Brooks is getting fringe consideration is a massive win for the team.

Despite losing an All-Star this offseason, Phoenix is still squarely in the hunt for a playoff spot. Their 7th-seed position is deceiving, as they are in a log-jam with a couple of teams with around 30 wins this season.

The post Suns’ Dillon Brooks reveals he was almost traded to Warriors from Memphis appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“I’ll probably say LeBron right now,” Brooks stated. “I feel like he overrated right now. I feel like his time is coming to an end. He gotta pass that on to one of our world guys, like Luka [Doncic] or Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], or me.”

However, Brooks did acknowledge James as “one of the legends,” saying:

“One of the legends. You gotta respect him in that aspect (putting in the work) for sure.”

| WATCH: No way DILLION BROOKS just called LEBRON JAMES the most OVERRATED player in the NBA right now.. pic.twitter.com/HYm6rpK197

— N3onHQ (@N3onHQ) February 1, 2026

Brooks’ disdain for James is not new. The animosity between Brooks and James dates to Brooks’ time with the Memphis Grizzlies and flared most intensely in the 2023 first-round playoffs, where James and Los Angeles eliminated Memphis in six games. The rivalry had cooled down somewhat, but flared again this season during the December 14 contest between the Suns and Lakers. Brooks’s swipe at the ball triggered James’s fury. In the waning moments of the game, angered by the absence of a foul call on James, Brooks got in his face and was hit with a second technical foul, resulting in his ejection. However, that left Phoenix unable to cling to the advantage they had gained with 12.2 seconds remaining, ultimately falling 116-114.

The Suns wing never shies from controversy and has openly clashed with Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, and Draymond Green. Over 43 games this season, Brooks is averaging career highs of 21.1 points on 44.8% shooting and 3.6 rebounds per game. He’s contributing 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game while logging 30.9 minutes per contest. Moreover, his three-point percentage sits at 35.4%, and his free-throw efficiency is 86.1%, giving him a true shooting percentage of 56.1%.

Meanwhile, LeBron, now 41, remains productive despite his age. He is averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field and 32.8% from three-point range. This performance far exceeds the average output for NBA players over 40, which stands at 6.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

Brooks and James will meet again on February 26 at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

The post Dillon Brooks takes jab at LeBron James: ‘He overrated right now’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Speaking to popular livestreamer N3on during a stream, Brooks had some choice words for players who do podcasts while still being professional hoopers.

Dillon Brooks speaks Draymond Green and Paul George doing podcasts during the season

"They're not good at basketball so focus on hoops"

(via @N3onOnYT / Twitch)

pic.twitter.com/A4m39bXhxu

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 1, 2026

“I will be getting on dudes for the guys who want to do podcasts when they are playing. They are all terrible. They talk too much for me. They’re not good at basketball so focus on hoops,” he was seen telling the streamer, per a clip posted on X by ClutchPoints.

Brooks criticized active NBA players who host podcasts during the season, arguing that the added visibility and commentary detract from on-court focus and performance. He also suggested that they end up doing podcasts simply because they are terrible, without naming the players.

Of course, the livestreamer talked about Green, and Brooks was quick to shrug the Golden State Warriors’ legend off. A range of active NBA stars have recently began doing podcasts, including the likes of Green, PG13, and LeBron James, who is another player Brooks has previously taken shots against.

While many players have embraced podcasting as a way to shape narratives and offer insight into the league, Brooks questioned whether that transparency becomes counterproductive when it coincides with uneven on-court results.

The timing of Brooks’ remarks is notable given his strong play in Phoenix, where he has taken on a larger role and drawn attention for both his defensive intensity and scoring efficiency. Brooks has been one of the most consistent players for his team this campaign, averaging 21.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, which when coupled with his defensive versatility and acumen makes him a legitimate superstar for his team.

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Ishbia’s ties with Thomas has led some to believe that Isiah is on the cusp of landing role in the Suns front office, which is a report that the team owner denied, per The Ringer’s The Zach Lowe Show.

“No, Isiah is a friend of mine. I talk to Isiah just like I talk to Tom Izzo, just like I talk to Draymond Green. I talk to all my basketball connections through my life. Nobody has a formal title,” Ishbia said. “But just like anyone, if someone bought a mortgage company and they would call me and be like, ‘Hey, Matt’s my friend, what would you do?’ I’d give my thoughts, I’d talk to people, and I’d bounce things off people.

“Isiah has no formal title. I think he’s a great guy, I think he’s got a lot of great insights, but just like Tom Izzo does,” Ishbia concluded.

Isiah Thomas has a bad reputation in the NBA front office for making poor decisions with teams like the Knicks. During his time, he traded for Eddy Curry, giving up two first-round picks. He also had some bad signings over the years, like giving Jared Jeffries a $30 million deal.

Coming off the Suns’ failed superteam that led to watching Phoenix trade Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal away during the offseason, the thought of seeing Ishbia aligned with Thomas can understandably make fans uneasy.

Mat Ishbia addressed Suns’ Miles Bridges trade rumors

Without All-Star Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and the Suns have found success lately, including an impressive win against the Pistons. However, will Suns’ Mat Ishbia push for a trade with the Hornets for Miles Bridges? Ishbia wouldn’t confirm or deny the rumors surrounding Bridges, but did have nothing but good things to say about the Hornets forward, per The Zach Lowe Show.

“He’s a great player and a winner on the court. He believes in a lot of things we do, but there’s nothing to it right now. There’s nothing even close that we’re talking about,” Ishbia said. “And I know there’s a lot of bigger trades that a lot of teams are talking about now that are maybe going to hold up the rest of them, but the truth is, we like our team. We like our guys.”

While Ishbia shut down the likelihood of the Suns making a move before next week’s deadline, that could change during the offseason.

“If a good opportunity comes up, whether it’s a position that we need,” Ishbia added. “But it’s got to be aligned with the age that we’re building and the toughness, and the type of guys we want.”

The Suns will host the Cavs on Friday.

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“Jalen Green is off the injury report tonight vs the Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Devin Booker still remains out with a right ankle sprain,” Cilley wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

This is big news for the Suns, especially with Devin Booker still out.

Green hasn’t played much so far this season after entering the season with a hamstring injury. He returned for a short period but reaggravated the injury. He then came back last week, but it looked like he re-aggravated the injury again in their game against the Atlanta Hawks, and only played four minutes.

Green has been listed as questionable over the past few games but ultimately ruled out closer to game time. The Suns are probably trying to stay cautious with Green and his hamstring, and they know they’ll need him as the season continues.

This is Green’s first season with the Suns after being traded to the team during the offseason as part of the Kevin Durant deal. It was uncertain what his role would be with the team, especially since the backcourt was already full with Devin Booker and other players in the mix.

Green has shown throughout his career, especially last season with the Rockets, that he could be a microwave scorer. He was a big part of why the Rockets were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

If the Suns can get that player in the second half of the season, it could be a big addition to a team that has surprised many so far.

The post Suns’ Jalen Green off injury report for Cavs clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Without mentioning Bridges, Lowe made it very obvious as to which player in the Eastern Conference the Suns are reportedly linked to ahead of the trade deadline, per The Zach Lowe Show.

“I know you can’t say players’ names, but you have been linked to a power forward in the Eastern Conference, who went to Michigan State and has some bad stuff in his track record off the court,” Lowe framed his question. “Is there any truth to that?” Lowe asked. “I know that guy that you are referencing,” Ishbia replied.

“And he’s a great player and a winner on the court. He believes in a lot of things we do, but there’s nothing to it right now. There’s nothing even close that we’re talking about. And I know there’s a lot of bigger trades that a lot of teams are talking about now that are maybe going to hold up the rest of them, but the truth is, we like our team. We like our guys.”

While Ishbia shut down the likelihood of the Suns making a move before next week’s deadline, that could change during the offseason.

“If a good opportunity comes up, whether it’s a position that we need,” Ishbia added. “But it’s got to be aligned with the age that we’re building and the toughness, and the type of guys we want.”

Mat Ishbia never dismissed the notion that the Suns aren’t interested in Bridges, stating good things about the Hornets forward, without confirming Phoenix is in pursuit. Bridges, a former Michigan State player, was arrested for felony domestic violence in June 2022.

Warriors, Bucks, Suns reportedly linked to Miles Bridges

Following the Suns’ impressive 114-96 blowout win against the Pistons, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference, will the front office be busy ahead of next week’s trade deadline? While the trade buzz surrounding Honets’ Miles Bridges continues to heat up, the Suns are considered one of three potential destinations, alongside the Warriors and the Bucks, according to the Athletic’s Sam Amick.

“As for Hornets that might be on the move, veteran forward Miles Bridges is drawing significant interest, league sources told The Athletic,” Amick wrote. “The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns are all known to be among the interested parties, though it remains to be seen if any team can compel the Hornets to give Bridges up.

Charlotte’s lack of interest in the Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma is a potential obstacle to a deal between the two teams. Draft capital is also a pivotal part of the conversation.”

Ishbia’s Suns will be a team to look out for before February 5’s trade deadline.

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