Phoenix Suns Finish Strong in Final NBA Power Rankings

Despite a tumultuous season, the Suns exceeded expectations and clinched a spot in the play-in tournament.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:26pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a basketball game, with the players' forms abstracted into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette of blues, oranges, and greens.The Phoenix Suns' resilient season is captured in a dynamic, cubist-inspired illustration that reflects the team's gritty determination and competitive spirit.Phoenix Today

The Phoenix Suns wrapped up the NBA regular season and are set to compete in the play-in tournament after a strong finish across national power rankings. While the Suns suffered through a difficult season that saw them trade Kevin Durant and waive Bradley Beal, they exceeded expectations and finished the year as a top-10 defensive team under first-year head coach Jordan Ott.

Why it matters

The Suns' ability to exceed preseason expectations and earn a play-in berth is a testament to the team's resilience and the work of coach Ott in establishing a new, gritty culture. Despite facing significant roster turnover, the Suns remained competitive and will now have a chance to extend their season in the postseason.

The details

The Suns finished 13th in Yahoo!'s final power rankings, earning a B+ grade for their performance. They were ranked 17th by The Athletic and 18th by Bleacher Report, with the latter noting the team lost momentum in recent weeks but still had a 'smashing success' of a season overall. The Suns' strong defensive play, which saw them finish as a top-10 unit, was highlighted as a key factor in their late-season surge.

  • The NBA regular season concluded on April 12, 2026.
  • The Suns clinched the Western Conference's 7th seed and a spot in the play-in tournament, which begins on April 14, 2026.

The players

Devin Booker

The Suns' star player, who remained 'awesome' despite the team's roster changes.

Dillon Brooks

A key addition who embodied the 'effort' and 'grit' that head coach Jordan Ott wanted from his team.

Collin Gillespie

One of many Suns players who took a step forward this season, contributing to the team's success.

Jordan Ott

The Suns' first-year head coach who established a 'new, gritty and far more serious culture' than the previous regime.

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What they’re saying

“The Suns suffered a miserable season last year, when Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were playing on max contracts. They traded Durant, waived and stretched Beal, and they, too, got better. Devin Booker remains awesome. Dillon Brooks is the human embodiment of everything head coach Jordan Ott wants from his team — effort. Collin Gillespie was one of many players who took a step forward for Phoenix, where the whole is greater than the parts' sum.”

— Ben Rohrbach

“The Suns exceeded all reasonable expectations, and they've held seventh place every day since Jan. 23. Now, they have to show that their offense can come through against the Trail Blazers to earn a meeting with the Spurs. The Suns split their final 20 games but finished with a top-10 defense that featured the kind of ballhawking that would be critical against Portland in particular.”

— Law Murray

“They lost a lot of momentum in recent weeks. And assuming they advance beyond the play-in, the Phoenix Suns are likely to get beat quickly and handily by the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs in the first round. But there's really no way to see this season as anything but a smashing success. ... If nothing else, first-year coach Jordan Ott absolutely established a new, gritty and far more serious culture than the one that existed during the brief Kevin Durant era.”

— Andy Bailey

What’s next

The Suns will face the Portland Trail Blazers in the play-in tournament on April 14, 2026, with the winner advancing to face the San Antonio Spurs.

The takeaway

Despite a tumultuous offseason and roster changes, the Phoenix Suns exceeded expectations this season under first-year head coach Jordan Ott. The team's strong defensive play and gritty, determined culture have positioned them for a potential postseason run, even if they face an uphill battle against more established contenders.