Hayden Cilley Articles - Page 2

Dillon Brooks is having a career-year for the Phoenix Suns, and other NBA teams are catching on. But it’s something that head coach Jordan Ott knew heading into the season. Both Ott and Brooks have highlighted the culture, which is why the latter has been mentioned in trade discussions. On Monday, Suns owner Mat Ishbia […]

PHOENIX– Devin Booker walked back to the Phoenix Suns bench after the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jalen Williams tied the game with eight seconds left. In all too familiar territory, Booker remembered what was on his mind. “It’s our turn,” he recalled postgame. Devin Booker had a simple message for what he was thinking after […]

PHOENIX— Someone had to step up for the Phoenix Suns against the Oklahoma City Thunder, not named Devin Booker. It could’ve been Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie, or Mark Williams, but it was, in fact, Jordan Goodwin who was the answer. Although Goodwin is known for his super skill of rebounding, he might add “scorer” to […]

PHOENIX– Despite Jalen Green still missing time due to his hamstring injury, Sunday evening provided some good news for the Phoenix Suns. While head coach Jordan Ott has often been taciturn with details, this time was a change of scenery. Although he was initially asked about Grayson Allen missing another game due to right knee […]

PHOENIX– Competition can bring the best out of someone on the basketball court– just ask Phoenix Suns second-year center Oso Ighodaro. The even-keeled, calm demeanor the big man has shown why he’s been a major advantage to this roster. Earlier in the season, Ighodaro posted a +52 net rating in the Suns’ drubbing of the […]

PHOENIX— New year, still the same Devin Booker for the Phoenix Suns. The latter is known for his scoring punch, which came to life in the 129-102 over the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Following a brutal end to the team’s road trip, they started the game out flat. Plenty of missed opportunities for easy shots, […]

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen might be off the team’s injury report ahead of Friday’s contest against the Sacramento Kings. This comes as a relief after he missed the last seven games with a right knee injury. Previously, Allen dealt with a lingering right quad contusion that kept him sidelines. He came back, reclaimed his […]

It’s not often that a first-year head coach impresses anyone, especially veterans. For Mark Williams, first-year Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott has done just that. A 19-14 record and the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference have certainly taken many by surprise. Much of the team’s success stems from what Ott is building. […]

Almost 24 hours after Jalen Green dropped an F-bomb following a Phoenix Suns win against the Washington Wizards, it was short-lived. He was smacked with a $25,000 fine by the NBA while interrupting his teammate’s interview. That said teammate? Collin Gillespie, who had 25 points on the night and lifted Phoenix to a win. Even […]

Although he’s only played in two games this season, Jalen Green is making his impact on the Phoenix Suns. He’s been praised for his perpetual positivity, despite sitting on the sidelines. Every time a player has a breakout game, he’s one of the first ones to greet them. The same took place after the Suns’ […]

Usually, back-to-back sets are often plagued with physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and desperation. The latter of which the Phoenix Suns played with in the 123-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Jordan Goodwin tallied a season-high 16 points and nine rebounds, with four of those coming on the offensive glass. Although Goodwin’s super skill is […]

In an unlikely turn of events, both Mark Williams and Jose Alvarado were ejected from the second half of a back-to-back set between the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. It came in the third quarter, when Alvarado shoved Williams, and then the two got into a scuffle. Immediately, Suns head coach Jordan […]

PHOENIX– If anyone knows a good offensive game, it’s Devin Booker. The Phoenix Suns shooting guard has been at the top of every scouting report ever since he was in the league. However, Dillon Brooks might be taking that title from him. He posted 25 points on 10-15 shooting from the field, but no other […]

PHOENIX– The Phoenix Suns might’ve had their most efficient game of the season in their 132-108 thrashing of the Los Angeles Lakers. While the game was headlined initially by the Dillon Brooks and LeBron James feud, that wasn’t even a factor in the outcome. The Suns had a playmaking frenzy, with 35 assists and only […]

The Phoenix Suns have suffered another significant blow to Jalen Green, after the latter injured his hamstring in early November. The team has announced he’ll be out for another two to three weeks. He came back, had another setback, and appears to have another. Funny enough, head coach Jordan Ott has teased that the progress […]

SCOTTSDALE– Perhaps only the Phoenix Suns have a problem with NBA refs, or it could be the entire association. They’ve had a myriad of instances where Devin Booker has questioned the final two minutes of the team’s respective games. Even head coach Jordan Ott was dumbfounded by some of the calls. However, this isn’t a […]

PHOENIX– Impact can come in all shapes and sizes, especially if you are Oso Ighodaro and you are towering at over seven feet tall. His 13-rebound performance against the Golden State Warriors certainly caught Jordan Ott’s attention throughout the game. As a result, the second-year center was placed in the starting lineup, in place of […]

PHOENIX– Devin Booker and Stephen Curry are extreme competitors on the court, but the respect they’ve grown for one another is something else. Ever since the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors star played in the 2024 Olympics, the relationship has grown. After Booker was named the unsung MVP of those Olympics, Curry was the […]

PHOENIX– Revenge is a dish best served with a win, if you’re Dillon Brooks. After the Phoenix Suns took down the Golden State Warriors 99-98 in dramatic fashion, it felt like another vintage Brooks performance. He finished the game with 24 points and consistently posed a threat throughout. The tenacious defense, microwave scoring, and ability […]

The talk of Phoenix, Arizona and its beloved Phoenix Suns should include Mark Williams, if it hasn’t already. Ever since he was traded to the Suns on draft night, many thought it would be a mistake. After all, the team drafted standout Duke center Khaman Maluach with its No. 10 pick. However, everything aligned for […]

SCOTTSDALE– The Phoenix Suns have their identity so far in the 2025-26 season, in part due to head coach Jordan Ott. After skeptics said the Suns would be at the bottom of the barrel in the Western Conference, they’ve shut the critics up. However, the team’s expectation was, and is, far greater than what anyone […]

PHOENIX– One foul call; that was what decided the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers contest on Sunday. After Devin Booker subsequently fouled LeBron James, he begged for an explanation. He got an explanation from the officials, but he wasn’t calling their bluff. “They reviewed it. They still looked at it. I’m still trying to […]

PHOENIX– Sunday’s game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers was mostly highlighted by two people: LeBron James and Dillon Brooks. The two were constantly jawing throughout the game, as they have been the last few years. However, Sunday’s game had some extra heat to it. For instance, Brooks swatted a ball at […]

PHOENIX– Three games of not playing Phoenix Suns basketball felt like an eternity for Devin Booker. After two weeks, Booker made his return for the Suns against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Coincidentally, he injured his groin against Los Angeles the last time the two teams squared off. Even if the injury wasn’t too […]

PHOENIX– What is this said ‘dog mentality’ the Phoenix Suns have? Players and coaches have adopted the philosophy ever since the Suns hired head coach Jordan Ott back in the summer. Some have taken that mantra to heart, most notably Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie. The latter has caught plenty by surprise, but not the […]

Facing the NBA’s best team feels a bit daunting for the Phoenix Suns, especially without Devin Booker. After the Suns announced Booker would be evaluated in one week for his right groin strain, that week is almost here. Per Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports, the shooting guard has been upgraded to questionable ahead of the […]

To some people’s surprise, the Phoenix Suns will be in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the best team in the NBA. Even with a 23-1 record, it’s not seeming to phase the Suns, and specifically Collin Gillespie. While Devin Booker remains sidelined for the Suns with a groin injury, […]

Mark Williams might just be the unsung hero for the Phoenix Suns. After they took down the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105 on Monday, the center posted an impressive statistical line. He had 22 points, seven rebounds, and two steals while making seven of his nine shots. With the main topic of discussion being how Williams was […]

Dillon Brooks is clearly a culture setter, and he’s doing that in his first season with the Phoenix Suns. However, when Brooks talked about playing the Houston Rockets in November, he wanted it to be a moment to remember. Going into the Toyota Center, fans were excited to see “the villain” back on the court. […]

Motivation can come in any way; just ask Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams. He’s been one of the most pivotal pieces of the team, despite having his minutes heavily watched. Before he was traded to the Suns on draft night, the Los Angeles Lakers tried to trade for Williams at the NBA trade deadline. However, […]

PHOENIX– Seven games. That’s how many Phoenix Suns sniper Grayson Allen missed due to a quad injury, but it felt longer than he expected. What started as incidental contact on a drive to the basket led to roughly two to three weeks of missed time. When recovery seemed to be trending positively, it took a […]

PHOENIX– Back-to-backs in the NBA aren’t easy, just ask the Phoenix Suns. After they fell 130-112 to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, it was a long 24 hours before that. For starters, the Suns played in Oklahoma City against the Thunder on Friday, and then traveled back to Phoenix at 2:00 a.m. the next morning […]

It’s not too common for two teams to be winners in a franchise-altering trade. Well, that can be said for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets after trading for Kevin Durant during the offseason. Many thought Houston won the trade by a landslide, and many thought Phoenix was beginning a rebuild. It may only be […]

PHOENIX– After another home victory, Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks couldn’t help but keep his eyes on Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets. When Brooks was traded to the Suns as part of the Kevin Durant trade, he left one of the top head coaches in Ime Udoka. The two grew a relationship, and one […]

PHOENIX– From one turnover-heavy game to very minimal, the Phoenix Suns continue to find ways to win, taking down the San Antonio Spurs, 111-102. Although Collin Gillespie was the hero for the Suns on Friday, Jordan Goodwin took the reins on Sunday in his first start with the team. He posted a 15 points and […]

PHOENIX– November 24 would’ve signaled Kevin Durant coming back to Phoenix, in what would’ve been a highly anticipated return. However, Durant was ruled out due to personal reasons and is attending to a family matter. He won’t be available for Monday’s game, which bummed out Phoenix Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker. “I hope everything […]

PHOENIX– One of the Phoenix Suns’ main defensive pieces in Ryan Dunn, will miss Sunday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a right wrist sprain. Dunn picked up the injury during Friday’s thriller against the Minnesota Timberwolves after he attempted to dunk over Rudy Gobert. It nearly took the roof off the Mortgage […]

PHOENIX– Collin Gillespie secured the Phoenix Suns’ 114-113 comeback win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday with a beautiful game-winner. Even though it was a game to forget for the team itself, Gillespie showed how valuable he is to the Suns. The playmaking, improved shot-making, and growing confidence have transformed him from another G-League player […]

A team-building exercise unlike any other: the Phoenix Suns took their off day to celebrate Jalen Green’s high school jersey retirement ceremony in Fresno, California. He played at San Joaquin Memorial in Fresno for the first three years of his high school career. There, he developed into one of the most prolific athletes and players […]