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.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s arrival gives Houston a veteran perimeter defender and a trusted voice for Amen Thompson as he takes on more on-ball duties. The offseason included work with The Guard Whisperer to sharpen shot mechanics and mid-range confidence.

Thompson posted 14.1 ppg and earned all-defense honors last season, but his 3-point shooting lagged at 27.5%. With VanVleet sometimes out, he’ll handle more and need to prove range, aided by improved chemistry with Sengün and Smith and Udoka’s patient approach.

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.