Suns Coach Frustrated As Injuries Rear Ugly Head

Phoenix Suns simply can't stay healthy as regular season winds down.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:39pm

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The Phoenix Suns have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, and as the regular season winds down, head coach Jordan Ott is hoping his team can just get healthy. The Suns have lost five straight games, with their latest defeat coming against the Milwaukee Bucks, where they were missing several key players. Ott expressed his frustration with the team's inability to stay healthy and maintain their identity, especially in close fourth-quarter games.

Why it matters

The Suns' struggles with injuries have derailed their season, putting them in danger of having to compete in the play-in tournament to make the playoffs. This is a disappointing outcome for a team that had high expectations coming into the year, and the health of the roster will be crucial as they try to turn things around and make a deep postseason run.

The details

The Suns were without several key players in their loss to the Bucks, including Mark Williams, Dillon Brooks, Royce O'Neale, Haywood Highsmith, and Grayson Allen. Coach Ott felt his team lost their defensive identity in the second quarter, which allowed the Bucks to gain momentum. The Suns had chances to extend their lead early, but the Bucks' shot-makers came back to haunt them in the second half.

  • The Suns are on the second night of a back-to-back, with the Toronto Raptors coming to town on Sunday.

The players

Jordan Ott

The head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

Mark Williams

A player for the Phoenix Suns who was out due to injury.

Dillon Brooks

A player for the Phoenix Suns who was out due to injury.

Royce O'Neale

A player for the Phoenix Suns who was out due to injury.

Haywood Highsmith

A player for the Phoenix Suns who was out due to injury.

Grayson Allen

A player for the Phoenix Suns who was out due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“I think we both had some opportunities there. Close game throughout. I thought we lost our identity in the second quarter. We did such a great job defensively in the first quarter, not only just a point total, but just our activity — gave them a lot of belief going into halftime.”

— Jordan Ott, Head Coach

“They have incredible offensive shot-makers we talked about pregame. We gave those guys some life there in the second quarter, and then when you get into the fourth quarter, some of those shot-makers come back to get you. Just too many times we had a chance to extend there early, and then you get into the second half, and it was just back and forth the entire second half.”

— Jordan Ott, Head Coach

“We just want everyone back. Into rhythm would be a blessing. But we just want everyone back. Said it constantly, tried to stay away from it the last couple of weeks. That's what we'd like to do.”

— Jordan Ott, Head Coach

“That's the frustrating part. It does feel like the process is close and it's just that time of year where you got to find a way. And we got to find a way to recover, rejuvenate, whatever word it is, to come back out, regroup, do it all again tomorrow night.”

— Jordan Ott, Head Coach

“The team that is coming in here does not care. So we got to find the juice, find the energy. Anyone we put in the game, lace them up, go out there, give all you can do. Kind of play to our identity and see what happens.”

— Jordan Ott, Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.