Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott addressed his team’s 114-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, emphasizing the positives despite the defeat. Ott highlighted Mark Williams’ performance, noting the center set “a new standard” with 20 points and 11 rebounds in his first start.
Ott cited turnovers as a key factor in the loss, pointing to the Suns’ 13 live-ball giveaways that led to 26 points for Memphis. “It’s probably all of it…bad pass, bad catch, bad spacing,” he said, adding that the Grizzlies’ defensive pressure, led by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Wells, deserved credit.
The Suns challenged a foul on Devin Booker late in the game, leaving no timeouts for a final play. Ott defended the decision, noting the team executed its spacing and got the ball to the right player for a near-miss at the buzzer.
Booker finished with 32 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, showing resilience after a 3-of-13 start. “He took us right to the finish line,” Ott said, praising Booker’s ability to create space and make contested shots under pressure.
Ott also highlighted the Suns’ transition defense, acknowledging struggles but noting improvement compared to previous games. “We’ve been at times good defensively in the half court,” he said, emphasizing the need to limit turnovers to prevent opponents from scoring easy transition points.
The coach praised the competitive effort from his roster, noting the team’s energy and character remain strong despite early-season adjustments. “At no point has our competitiveness dipped,” Ott said, emphasizing that the Suns’ cohesion will improve over time.
Ott also singled out Colin Gillespie, praising his off-the-ball shooting and ability to attack in the paint. “He is such a team-first player…if that’s the best look we can get, he needs to let it go,” Ott said, noting Gillespie’s contributions off the bench were key to keeping Phoenix close.
Phoenix briefly took a 113-112 lead late after Williams’ dunk, but Ja Morant’s 11-foot go-ahead jumper with 7.6 seconds left sealed the win for Memphis. The Grizzlies extended their winning streak over Phoenix to six games, with Aldama and Jackson Jr. providing critical support.
The Suns return home to face the Utah Jazz on Friday, with Ott emphasizing the need to build on both effort and execution. “Tomorrow is another day to improve,” he said, highlighting the team’s focus on refining spacing and reducing turnovers.
