Why Suns' Jordan Ott should be in running for NBA Coach of Year
Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott is viewed as a viable candidate for this season's NBA Coach of the Year honors.
Jordan Ott has had a huge say in the Phoenix Suns having a surprise season. That’s a major reason why he should be considered for 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year. “First-year coach, the expectations people had of us,” Suns big Oso Ighodaro said.
“And to do it in the West this year with how competitive the West was. More importantly than the results, just who he is and how he’s handled this season. His character has been high level.
He’s been elite. ” The Suns made the now 41-year-old Ott their fourth head in four seasons last summer in replacing Mike Budenholzer after a 36-win season with a Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Ott took on the challenge that included long-term injuries to key players and coached the Suns (45-37) to seventh in the West, four spots better than last season.
The Suns will look to advance to the playoffs through the play-in tournament as they’ll face the Portland Trail Blazers (42-40) in the 7-8 Play-In game April 14 at Mortgage Matchup Center. The winner will advance to the Western Conference playoffs as the seventh seed. The loser gets one more shot, on April 17, against the winner of the No.