News Summary
The Phoenix Suns prepare to launch their regular season with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Both teams face significant player absences, including Jalen Green for the Suns and Domantas Sabonis for the Kings. The Suns, under new coach Jordan Ott, are looking to implement a fresh playing style with Devin Booker leading the charge. As they navigate these changes, expectations are high from the fans, eager to see how the new lineup performs amidst challenges in player availability.
Phoenix is gearing up to kick off the regular season with a highly anticipated matchup against the Sacramento Kings at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time. The Suns will be entering the season without key players, including newly appointed starting guard Jalen Green, who is out for the entire preseason due to a right hamstring strain.
Similarly, the Kings will face challenges as they will be without their star center Domantas Sabonis, who is also sidelined with a right hamstring strain. Compounding their difficulties, starting forward Keegan Murray is ruled out due to a torn ligament in his left thumb. These absences set the stage for a competitive encounter between both teams, albeit in an altered landscape.
The game signifies a new era for the Suns, marked by significant changes, including the departures of stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the hiring of new coach Jordan Ott, and the addition of ten new players to the roster. Devin Booker is expected to take the lead as the primary playmaker, which could expose him to heavy double teams resulting from Green’s absence. Last season, Booker managed to average a career-high 7.1 assists, an essential statistic he will need to leverage as he navigates through defenses.
Starting center Mark Williams, who also missed the entire preseason, has an opportunity to shine with Sabonis out for the Kings. Coach Ott has noted that Williams will have a competitive target of minutes, considering his history of injuries. This will be vital with pressure on Williams to showcase his finishing ability around the rim in the absence of Sabonis.
Fans of the Suns are eager for an upgrade in the center position after enduring previous performances that fell short. The backup center rotation will see Nick Richards, Oso Ighodaro, and Khaman Maluach competing for minutes, all of whom demonstrated solid performances during the preseason.
This season, the Suns aim to introduce a new playing style that emphasizes competitiveness and aggression on both sides of the court. The Kings, on the other hand, struggled defensively last season with a 116.4 defensive rating, a statistic that is likely to worsen with Murray’s absence.
In terms of defense, the Suns excelled during the preseason, ranking second in steals per game with an impressive 12.5 average and fifth in defensive rating at 102.2. They also topped the charts in points off turnovers per game with an average of 31.3. This improvement in defensive capabilities is a key objective for the team, with Dillon Brooks expected to contribute significant ball pressure in games.
Coach Ott has implemented an offensive philosophy focusing on ball and player movement, drawing from successful strategies utilized during his time in Cleveland. However, the Suns averaged a high number of fouls, 29.7 per game during their four preseason outings, suggesting that aggressive play may lead to frequent foul troubles as the regular season begins.
The expected starting lineup for the Suns features Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, and Mark Williams. The discussion around the rotation continues, with Ighodaro potentially starting for enhanced defensive flexibility, while bench players like Nigel Hayes-Davis and Khaman Maluach could also see significant action.
With expectations high and bridges to cross, Brooks, known for his propensity to accumulate technical fouls, might risk receiving his first technical as a member of the Suns in this season opener. As the Phoenix Suns leap into the regular season, fans and analysts alike are keen to see how this new lineup adjusts to the heat of competition.
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HERE Resources
NBA Season Opener Features Thunder Hosting Rockets
Additional Resources
- Gophnx: You Need to Know This About Phoenix Suns Season Opener
- SI: 3 Things to Watch – Phoenix Suns Season Opener
- Azcentral: What to Watch for Phoenix Suns Season Opener
- Bright Side of the Sun: NBA Opening Night Preview
- NBA: 2025-26 Season Preview – Phoenix Suns
- Wikipedia: Phoenix Suns
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
