Hayden Cilley Articles - Page 3

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 […]

Was a 9-6 start for the Phoenix Suns on anyone’s radar? To the outsiders and media, likely not, but don’t tell that to center Mark Williams. The latter has been one of the main cogs for Phoenix. Even though Williams has had his minutes monitored by the Suns, he has been the defensive anchor and […]

Nearly nine months ago, Devin Booker broke the Phoenix Suns’ all-time franchise scoring record against the Portland Trail Blazers. It took place in Portland and received quite the applause from the opposing crowd. During Tuesday’s shootaround, Booker had the chance to reflect on that milestone. “(Blazers fans) gave me an ovation. Definitely didn’t have to […]

PHOENIX– No Grayson Allen and no Jalen Green, but an elevated performance from Dillon Brooks? It was still a problem for the Phoenix Suns, who fell to the Atlanta Hawks, 124-122, on Sunday. While one of the stories was the battle between Suns head coach Jordan Ott and Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, Phoenix’s bread […]

PHOENIX– Two rooms and a hallway apart were Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott and Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder. However, their respect for one another started way before Sunday’s game. It started in Atlanta, where both were assistant coaches, studying film and how to break down particular coverages on offense and defense. Fast […]

The injury bug continues to bite the Phoenix Suns. When the Suns lost Grayson Allen in Thursday’s game, the right quad injury came out of nowhere. The official report is a right quad contusion, according to AZCentral’s Duane Rankin. It occurred when Allen appeared to bump knees or legs with an Indiana Pacers player. He […]

PHOENIX– A new rendition of “The Valley” court might’ve signaled a formerly great time for the Phoenix Suns, but Thursday night showed the team’s true identity under head coach Jordan Ott. The tenacity, grit, and willingness to not back down played a pivotal role in the 133-98 win over the Indiana Pacers. Even though Grayson […]

Ever since the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season, one question about Mark Williams continues to be the main emphasis for the Phoenix. When he’s been on the court, he’s shown flashes of being a great center with his rim protection, paint presence, athleticism and enthusiasm. Although Suns head coach Jordan Ott laid out a […]

PHOENIX– Grayson Allen might be best known for being the Phoenix Suns’ 3-point sniper. After all, Allen did break the Suns franchise record with 10 made threes in Monday’s 121-98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Even though he’s had career years shooting from beyond the arc in the Valley of the Sun, he’s taken […]

What was supposed to be a dynamic backcourt duo could be short-lived, thanks to another Jalen Green hamstring injury. When the newest member of the Phoenix Suns played alongside Devin Booker, it felt like a match made in heaven. The latter is a savant of getting to his spot and allowing the game to come […]