Phoenix Suns Face Early Season Challenges After Narrow Losses and Roster Shifts

The Phoenix Suns continued their early-season slide with a 114-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies — a defeat that dropped them to roughly a 1-4 mark and again exposed a chronic turnover problem (22 turnovers in the game, 17.2 per game overall), coach Jordan Ott said, while praising Devin Booker’s near back‑door effort (32 points). Rookie-center Mark Williams has emerged as a bright spot, earning starts and producing strong interior numbers (20 points, 12 rebounds vs. Memphis; 25 points, 11 rebounds and a tip‑in to force overtime vs. Utah), prompting praise from teammates and calls to make his role permanent. Williams supplanted Oso Ighodaro in the starting lineup and has transformed the Suns’ interior play, while Nick Richards has slipped down the depth chart. Phoenix staff credited a structured offseason program for Williams’ readiness after missing preseason time, though his past availability and injury history remain a concern. The Suns have rallied in stretches but continue to suffer slow starts and defensive lapses; reducing live‑ball turnovers and improving early-game execution are key to converting individual growth into wins.