Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott praised his team’s resilience and defensive effort after a 132-127 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets in preseason action at Venetian Arena in Macao, China.
The Suns improved to 2-0 in the preseason after erasing an early deficit. Brooklyn built a 39-29 first-quarter lead behind Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, but Phoenix’s response in the second half shifted the momentum.
Ott acknowledged the team’s early struggles, noting Brooklyn’s aggressive start. “We know Brooklyn plays hard. It takes a minute to adjust how aggressive and physical they are,” Ott said postgame. “We had a couple good looks early that didn’t go down, but we stayed with it and hung in there.”
He credited the Suns’ collective response in the second and third quarters. “Our response by the group, not only there in that first half to at least get back in the game, but also there in the third quarter, especially that starting group, really helped us take the lead,” Ott explained.
Oso Ighodaro’s impact was a major talking point. The rookie center scored 10 points, blocked three shots, and provided strong defensive energy. Ott highlighted his composure after early miscues. “Early, I think the speed and aggressiveness did affect him. But part of that third quarter momentum—you see how important Oso is to us,” Ott said. “Against teams that pressure, he’s able to be a pressure release for us.”
Jordan Goodwin also delivered a key performance off the bench, scoring 19 points to lead Phoenix. His playmaking and defense sparked multiple runs that helped the Suns erase Brooklyn’s advantage.
Ott pointed to the Suns’ defensive activity as the turning point. “We were able to force 34 turnovers overall, eight in the third quarter,” he said. “Those guys made the decision to come out of halftime and change the game with their energy. We were the aggressors.”
Phoenix capitalized on those turnovers with transition opportunities, which Ott emphasized as crucial. “We used our defense to fuel our offense,” he said. “It’s easier after a defensive stop to get into something and execute.”
Ott also addressed Jalen Green’s absence, confirming that the guard sat out with a minor hamstring injury. “He had such a good offseason into training camp,” Ott said. “We’ll continue to re-evaluate and let you know as soon as possible.”
The head coach praised the atmosphere in Macao, where the NBA returned after a six-year hiatus. “You could feel the love from the fans,” Ott said. “Hopefully we gave them something to be proud of.”
