Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott emphasized the team’s focus and resilience after Friday’s 112-107 victory over the New York Knicks at the Mortgage Matchup Center. “That play game changer. Some nights it’s just not your night, but the ability to move on, move to the next play, make winning plays, and after that make the free throws says a lot about who [Grayson Allen] is as a competitive person,” Ott said, reflecting on Allen’s impact down the stretch.
Ott credited his squad’s defensive execution on Jalen Brunson in crucial moments. “It was a little bit of everyone. Obviously Dillon starting on him. There’s a reason why Dillon started on him. We wanted to set that tone, try to pick him up best we could… Our ability to switch, put multiple guys on him,” Ott explained.
The coach also discussed Phoenix’s rotation decisions in the final minutes. “Some nights it’s easier than others. We talked about it multiple times… We liked what Oso brought defensively. Mark took big strides in the last couple games playing on the perimeter for some spacing fives,” Ott said, noting the growth of Mark Williams in high-pressure roles.
Oso Ighodaro’s versatility was also highlighted. “His ability to switch and disrupt… Even in the Houston game, there were possessions down the stretch where he was able to switch and disrupt and really cause turnovers or create havoc,” Ott said. He added that these adjustments allowed Grayson Allen to make critical plays on the perimeter.
Ott praised the Suns’ secondary playmaking and floor spacing, particularly involving Royce O’Neale. “We like Royce at the top of the floor. Moving him there creates more gravity, more space… He’s a great screener, very physical, and understands the nuances,” Ott said, highlighting O’Neale’s contributions to late-game execution.
Devin Booker’s playmaking was another key factor in the win. “Book’s ability to continue to make the right play in every single situation… really kind of disturbed [New York’s] offense,” Ott noted. He emphasized the balance of individual skill and team coordination that helped Phoenix pull away in the final minutes.
The coach also praised the Suns’ adaptation to late-game situations. “Being in those competitive nights against really good teams… that’s been good for our group. We collectively don’t have a ton of returning minutes from last season, so just being in it together, having honest conversations afterward… has been key,” Ott said.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points, Dillon Brooks added 27, and Royce O’Neale contributed 12, including four three-pointers. For New York, Jalen Brunson scored 27, Miles McBride had 17, and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 15 points and 12 rebounds. Phoenix improved to 23-15, while the Knicks fell to 24-14, hosting Detroit in their next matchup.
