PHOENIX – The Suns have a chance to get some revenge in a Halloween matchup on Friday night against the Utah Jazz, though they have some issues they must address.
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Oct 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Phoenix guard Devin Booker (1) makes a three-point shot over Utah guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
When Lauri Markkanen torched Phoenix for a career-high 51 two games ago, it wasn’t just a bad night. It was a mirror held up to the Suns’ biggest flaw, which is perimeter containment and rotational breakdowns. Tonight, they get their shot at redemption against the Jazz on Halloween night.
Oct 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah forward Markkanen (23) shoots over Phoenix center Nick Richards (2) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Without Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, the Phoenix Suns will miss some scoring punch and will have to try to find a new way to defend Lauri Markkanen. The strategic key will be to force Utah into secondary creation. That means blitzing the Jazz early, switching smartly on handoffs, and trusting their defense, even if it is struggling. The challenge will be tactical discipline by doubling when necessary, rotating before the pass, and pushing pace off misses.
Oct 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Phoenixforward Dillon Brooks, center, watches play from the bench wearing street clothes during the second half of a game against Utah at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
It may look like the Suns are mightily struggling at times, although the adjustments and comeback mentality have kept them in multiple contests to start the season off. Phoenix isn’t too far off from getting the bounces to go their way. For Phoenix fans, this game symbolizes growth beyond the box score. Nationally, it’s a preview of how serious this roster actually is about defense, and if they don’t figure it out, it is something that could define their ceiling as a whole. Fans want effort, urgency, and defensive buy-in. Tonight is about more than revenge; it’s about identity.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
