Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Suns Coach Jordan Ott Flashes Knowing Smile Amid Rough Dillon Brooks Injury News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 10:27 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns are starting over this season with Jordan Ott the team's new head coach in place of departed Mike Budenholzer.

Ott served as an assistant under Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson last season in Cleveland and will be tasked with improving the team on both ends of the court with a focus on defense.

On Friday, Ott had a raw moment at a preseason press conference as he was informed of an injury by projected starting power forward Dillon Brooks that was expected to require medical attention in the Valley of the Sun.

Jun 10, 2025; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts as he speaks alongside general manager Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Ott Smiles at Brooks Announcement

Ott couldn't help but smile as notorious NBA glue guy Dillon Brooks shared the news that he "got a split in (his head)," a presumed result of the Suns' hard-nosed defensive approach under their new head man.

"Hey coach, tell them how hard our practice is. I got a split in my head. Tell them how hard we play defense."

"Definitely might get a couple stitches there," Ott responded as he smiled from ear-to-ear watching his defensive-minded forward.

Suns coach Jordan Ott saw Dillon Brooks walking past and probably figured he'd say something.

"Hey coach, tell them how hard our practice is. I got a split in my head. Tell them how hard we play defense.”

Smiling in reaction, Ott said, “Definitely might get a couple of… pic.twitter.com/l5DSvbavkg
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 17, 2025

Defense — The Suns' 2025-26 Calling Card?

The Suns have a stacked lineup defensively with Brooks expected to start alongside former defensive standout Ryan Dunn, formerly of the Virginia Cavaliers, and Mark Williams, formerly of the Charlotte Hornets.

Jalen Green came over via trade from Houston rounding out an athletic starting five that is also expected to include outside shooting ace Devin Booker.

The perimeter defense of Green, Dunn and Brooks combined with the shooting of Brooks and the shot blocking of Williams sounds like a potential recipe for success in Phoenix.

Ott's team will search for hidden paths to victory each night in a stacked Western Conference this season with a roster that has promise but still hasn't played together.

Brooks' stark admission clearly lit a fire under his head coach, a positive sign for a team that knows it will likely need to out-grind and out-tough its opponents this season if it has hopes of advancing past the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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