The Phoenix Suns Had A Surprise Comeback Season Despite Playoff Loss
The Phoenix Suns completed a surprising turnaround season, reaching the playoffs with 46 wins after a 36-win collapse the prior year, but were swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite injuries to key players and major roster changes following the Kevin Durant trade, first-year coach Jordan Ott stabilized the team and established a new foundation. The Suns' resurgence mirrored that of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, also owned by Mat Ishbia, who rebuilt both franchises quickly. Though eliminated, the organization views this season as a positive step forward amid ongoing rebuilding efforts.
- ▪The Suns were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, losing Game 4 131-122.
- ▪Phoenix improved from 36 wins last season to 46 this season under first-year head coach Jordan Ott despite multiple key player injuries.
- ▪The team was significantly overhauled, including the trade of Kevin Durant and the addition of Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, with only six players from last year's squad on the playoff roster.
- ▪Mat Ishbia led a broader organizational rebuild, also revitalizing the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, which reached the 2025 finals.
- ▪Devin Booker is the only remaining player from the Suns' 2022-23 roster, highlighting the extent of the team's transformation.
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BusinessSportsMoneyThe Phoenix Suns Had A Surprise Comeback Season Despite Playoff LossByBarry M. Bloom,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Boomskie on BaseballFollow AuthorApr 28, 2026, 10:00am EDTDillon Brooks and Jalen Green joined the Suns in an offseason trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston. Despite serious injuries to both players, they helped remake the team. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Getty ImagesPHOENIX -- The Suns were swept out of the first round of the NBA playoffs by the defending champion Thunder on Monday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center, but there’s nothing for them to hang their heads about.
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