Phoenix Suns opened the preseason with a 103-81 win over the Lakers, flashing Jordan Ott’s pressure defense and a multi-weapon offense that aims to empower every passer. Devin Booker led with 24 points and 7 assists, while Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks spaced the floor and pressed on defense. The bench—Gillespie, Richards, O’Neale, Hayes-Davis—provided depth, and rookie Maluach flashed late with a dunk.

Booker’s playmaking and off-ball creativity set the tone as the Suns teased more action through Durant and Beal when healthy. Extended looks went to Ighodaro, Maluach and Fleming as they prepare for two China exhibitions against the Nets, testing rotations and depth for a longer season.

The Suns kicked off the 2025-26 season with a decisive 103-81 win over the Lakers in Palm Desert, signaling a pivotal rebuild under new coach and philosophy. Devin Booker anchored the night with 24 points in 25 minutes as Dillon Brooks unleashed his defensive ferocity and relentless effort, helping Phoenix establish an early identity built on hustle, turnovers, and extra possessions. A mix of veterans and 14 new players began to show chemistry, with Grayson Allen spacing the floor and Booker orchestrating the offense in a rock-solid first impression.

From the outset, Phoenix pushed tempo, grabbed offensive boards, and forced six Lakers turnovers, laying the groundwork for a 31-16 first quarter. The Lakers answered in the second, aided by a flurry of free throws, but the Suns still carried a 57-44 lead into the break. The third quarter highlighted Nick Richards, Khaman Maluach, and Fleming on the defensive end as Phoenix extended the advantage to 27, while Booker and Brooks kept the offense humming. In the final stretch, rookies and depth players flexed, with Maluach drawing attention for his size and energy. The Suns head to China next week to face Brooklyn, leaving optimism that the blueprint has real substance for the season ahead.

Phoenix fans foresee a potential uptick despite an upheaval-filled offseason. After an 8-1 start, the Suns collapsed to 28-45, traded Kevin Durant to Houston, and bought out Bradley Beal as they pivot around Devin Booker with a younger core. If everything aligns, a 40-59 win ceiling is plausible, with most fans leaning toward closer to 40 as a realistic outcome for a still-developing group.

Booker shifts into a higher-usage, playmaking role as the de facto point guard, while Mark Williams brings interior scoring and Jalen Green is projected to shoulder a larger workload. Ryan Dunn could evolve into a steady starter, and a defensive boost from Dillon Brooks and Dunn might offset a thinner roster. The decisive factor remains early team identity and the ability of young players to thrive in new roles; 37 wins is the pragmatic bar for improvement.

The Suns open training camp with three clear bets: who grabs the backup point-guard slot behind Booker and Green, how the frontcourt behind Dunn settles into the rotation, and how four rookies develop into usable players in a high-pace system. The period will reveal which players earn real minutes, how the rotations form, and what this youth movement could mean for early-season fantasy upside.

Three focal battles drive the early narrative: Goodwin vs Butler for the backup guard role, a PF battle behind Dunn among Hayes-Davis, Fleming, and Brooks, and the rookie development path to ensure Phoenix’s long-term upside. Expect sharp competition, measured minutes, and rapid lessons as the Suns shape their identity.