Expectations can be a beautiful thing—or a burden. Just ask the NFL team in town.
But the Phoenix Suns walked into this season with none of the suffocating championship pressure that has defined their last three years. After an expensive, all-in experiment went up in smoke without producing the franchise’s long-awaited first title, the organization reset, retooled, and refocused. Fans didn’t demand a parade—just competitiveness. “I just hope they can fight,” was the most common preseason sentiment across the Valley.
Seventeen games later, the Suns are doing far more than fighting.
They’re thriving.
And Sunday night’s 111–102 win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs is the latest proof that this year’s squad isn’t just fun—they’re legitimately good.
A Team Finding Its Identity — and Its Edge
Winning two nights after their wild, whirlwind comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves could’ve been a trap game. Instead, Phoenix showed maturity and poise.
Yes, the Spurs were shorthanded. Yes, San Antonio is young. But so are the Suns in the areas where it matters most: energy, cohesion, and hunger.
And Phoenix wasn’t exactly at full strength either.
With Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and rookie standout Ryan Dunn all sidelined, the Suns had every excuse to stumble. They refused to use any of them.
Jordan Goodwin’s Revival: A Second Chance Paying Off
Inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season, Jordan Goodwin delivered his most complete game yet:
15 points, 10 rebounds, relentless defense, and nonstop activity.
Goodwin looks like a completely different player from his first stint in Phoenix two years ago—stronger, smarter, more confident.
Why is he even here?
Shoutout to nepotism—just not the kind we usually criticize.
Goodwin spent last season with the Lakers, playing valuable minutes after the All-Star break. But when Los Angeles finalized this season’s roster, he became the odd man out as the franchise prioritized keeping a certain rookie guard named Bronny James.
L.A. waived Goodwin in July.
The Suns welcomed him back immediately.
And he’s been a revelation.
Alongside Collin Gillespie, the duo has earned a new nickname: The Killer Gs.
On Sunday, they combined for:
30 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals.
Pure impact. Pure grit.
Dillon Brooks Steals the Spotlight
It wasn’t a perfect night for Dillon Brooks, who opened the game missing seven of his first eight attempts. But competitors compete—and Brooks kept firing.
He bounced back with 25 points, including several clutch buckets in the second half that slammed the door shut on any potential Spurs run. His physicality and shot-making continue to give Phoenix exactly the kind of edge it lacked last season.
Devin Booker Rebounds, Mark Williams Stays Steady
After one of his worst outings of the year, Devin Booker looked like himself again, scoring 24 points and orchestrating the offense with calm authority.
Meanwhile, Mark Williams continued his run of consistency with a clean and efficient 14-point, 11-rebound double-double. He’s becoming a perfect interior anchor for this roster—quiet, reliable, and effective.
A Team That Knows How to Win
With the victory, the Suns now have the chance to sweep their three-game homestand with a win over the Houston Rockets on Monday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
But even if Monday doesn’t go Phoenix’s way, something far more important has already been proven:
This team knows how to win.
They know how to respond.
They know how to compete together.
And that knowledge is priceless.
It’s early.
But this is not the same Phoenix Suns team from the last few seasons.
They aren’t playing with pressure—they’re playing with purpose.
And when you remove expectations, sometimes you uncover something even more powerful:
Belief.
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