Through the first six games of the NBA regular season, the Phoenix Suns ranked dead last in defensive rating by surrendering 124.5 points per 100 possessions, Yahoo Sports reported.
That atrocious start suggested the roster may lack the personnel, discipline, or defensive identity needed to compete nightly. Things changed considerably over the next five games, however, as the Suns posted a defensive rating of 109.0 to rank sixth in the NBA during that stretch.
The net rating climbed to +4.2 to rank ninth in the league, up from the -10.3 net rating that placed the team 25th during the opening six-game skid. Those figures include a heavy loss against the San Antonio Spurs and show how effective the unit has been over its last five outings.
Opponents shot 40.3% from beyond the arc through the first six games, which marked the second-worst perimeter defense in the league. That number dropped to 33.9% over the subsequent five games, ranking 10th in the NBA during a stretch where Phoenix went 4-1.
Opponents shot 46.7% from three against Dillon Brooks during the first six games, but that figure fell to 37.7% over the last five outings. Miles Bridges experienced a similar shift as opposing three-point accuracy against him dropped from 38.1% to 34.7%.
The second unit provided an additional catalyst for the defensive recovery under Jordan Ott’s system. Jordan Goodwin and Ryan Dunn injected relentless energy, length, and athleticism into the lineup. The bench net rating improved from +1.5 through the first six games to +5.3 over the next five matches.
Persistent issues regarding rebounding and interior defense continue to limit the roster. The team still struggles with rim deterrence and overall size around the basket.
While those structural flaws remain unresolved, the recent defensive stabilization indicates that early growing pains are subsiding. The rotations appear more connected, and the collective effort has grown more consistent.
