The 82-game 2026-27 season is now crystal clear for the Phoenix Suns. The dates and opponents are now set in stone, with the Suns being positioned with a favorable start to the campaign.
Phoenix will start the season with nine of their first 11 games of the year at home, as well as the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans being prominently featured early on.
Jordan Ott Will be Tested Early
The second-year head coach is building a case to be a Coach of the Year contender after an exceptional rookie season on the bench.
This doesn't mean that the longtime assistant won't face tests early in his sophomore campaign. Ott will face a diverse mix of coaches, from title-winners (Mark Daigneault, Steve Kerr), rookies (Micah Nori, Sean Sweeney), to veterans that predicate team operations on building gritty personas (Ty Lue, Ime Udoka).
Ott will also be coaching under the backdrop of integrating the incoming Miles Bridges into the rotation, while also working towards finding a balance between letting the rising stars on the team play and placing an emphasis on stacking up victories.
The beginning of the 2026-27 season likely won't be as kind to Ott as the previous campaign was, although he is prepared to expand on year one.
Phoenix Rivalries Prominent Throughout Season
Among the most amped-up matchups of the seasons for the Suns include division rivals in the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers.
The rivalry between LeBron James and Suns forward Dillon Brooks gets reignited on December 30 in Phoenix. The two teams are playing under the backdrop of a niche player rivalry, while the 76ers are positioned to compete for an NBA title.
The Lakers and Warriors are well-distributed throughout the season, with the trio of teams pining for the Pacific Division title.
End of Season Could Define Standings Push
The last three weeks of the season will likely decide where Phoenix lands to finish the 82-games out.
Phoenix closes out with the Lakers (twice), Oklahoma City Thunder (twice), San Antonio Spurs (twice), Toronto Raptors, and Warriors. This is a brutal stretch that is chalk-full of staunch competitors in the Western Conference standings, contenders that are led by elite players, and back-to-back matchups against the Thunder/Spurs.
This stretch is a genuine diamond test for the Suns - will this mentally strong team be able to handle the oncoming pressure in March and April?