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Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott said his team’s path to the postseason was built on resilience after the Suns beat the Golden State Warriors 111-96 in Friday’s play-in game at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“Obviously Tuesday night was emotional for everyone how it ended,” Ott said. “But I think that’s what we’ve done all year. I think the group that’s in that locker room has a ton of resilience and wants to do things different.”
Phoenix entered the night under pressure, but Ott said the group embraced the challenge and found a way through a difficult road. “Sometimes the road’s not always the one that you choose and think it’s going to happen,” he said. “Sometimes it’s the least traveled. So we found our way in.”
The Suns answered with one of their cleanest team performances of the season, led by Jalen Green’s 36 points and Devin Booker’s 20. Ott called Green “incredibly efficient offensively” and said, “I thought some of his defensive possessions there down the stretch in the fourth quarter… were huge plays.”
Green’s rise through injuries and lineup changes stood out to Ott as well. “He has ultimate confidence,” the coach said. “He is a big-time shot maker. Feels comfortable in these environments.”
Jordan Goodwin was equally important on both ends, with 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals. Ott called it “massive both ends,” adding, “to hold a guy like that three of ten, four of sixteen and then we talk possession possession possessions, four offensive rebounds and six steals.”
Ott also praised Booker’s poise after the Suns absorbed repeated pressure from Golden State’s traps and rotations. “Yeah, he’s the culture driver of what we got going on,” Ott said. “He’s been through everything as a basketball player and he led us tonight.”
On Booker’s playmaking, Ott said, “Even late game they would hit him, they would send two, so he didn’t get the assist because it’s usually the pass after the pass. Again he’s just going to continue to make the right play.”
The Suns coach said the team’s defensive plan started with forcing the Warriors inside the arc. “We went to switch everything to try to force them inside the three-point line,” Ott said. “They shoot as many as anyone else in the league.”
He added that the group stayed mentally sharp through the Warriors’ runs. “You have to value a possession,” Ott said. “And I think overall we were pretty good.”
Phoenix now moves on to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, with Ott saying the group is “in a good place” and excited for the next step. “We’re excited to keep this thing rolling,” he said.
