Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott praised Devin Booker’s quick adjustment following a brief absence, noting the star guard’s professionalism. “He was able to find it pretty quick… tremendous basketball player that he is,” Ott said after Sunday’s 116-114 loss to the Lakers.
Ott addressed Dillon Brooks’ technical foul and ejection in the final seconds, emphasizing the emotional nature of the game. “There’s never one play in the game that determines anything… we got to keep our emotions in check,” he said.
The coach acknowledged the Suns’ resilience despite falling behind by 20 points in the fourth quarter. “Tremendous response… we fought our way back with all the emotions going the other way,” Ott said, highlighting the team’s competitiveness.
Ott critiqued the Suns’ performance in key moments, pointing to missed possession opportunities. “We weren’t ourselves… we lost a possession game and they outworked us to get some of those loose balls,” he said, identifying areas for improvement.
He also addressed the impact of officiating, including free throw discrepancies and frequent whistle stoppages. “There is no rhythm… they control the rhythm,” Ott said, noting the challenge of maintaining flow amid frequent fouls.
Despite Brooks’ ejection, Ott defended his energy and passion. “We love his emotion… he’s brought so much to this city and this franchise,” the coach said.
Ott also noted the strategic adjustments for the Suns’ bench, including integrating Grayson Allen and evaluating new rotations. “We’re trying to figure out our second unit… that group has been really good,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ott stressed monitoring player health and workload. “The days off in between will help everyone… everyone’s trying to find some health,” he said, underlining the team’s focus on recovery during the demanding season.
Phoenix fell to 14-12 after the loss and will face the Golden State Warriors next, aiming to regain rhythm and capitalize on a healthier lineup.
