Suns news: Jordan Ott calls out late officiating in Pistons loss

ByNBAUSA


Throughout the season, Phoenix Suns have played far above expectations, and that continued Thursday night in a big matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Despite what it is without Devin Bookerwho had to miss the game with an ankle injury suffered in their 127-121 loss to the Miami Heat, the Suns led most of the night against a Pistons team that recently returned key players like Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Duren.

However, the game eventually got away from the Suns again, much like it did for them in Tuesday’s loss to the Heat. And some of that may have to do with the physical condition the refs allowed the Pistons to play with. After their 108-105 loss to the Pistons on Thursday, Suns head coach Jordan Ott called for officiating, even comparing it to sports where intense physical activity is not only allowed, but encouraged.

“In the fourth quarter, it became football. Free throws hurt us,” Ott said, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central.

The Pistons made 14 free throws in the fourth, although six of those attempts came from foul shots by the Suns in an attempt to chase the game. Phoenix, meanwhile, didn’t shoot a single shot and physicality short-circuited their offense to the point where they scored just 15 in the final frame.

“I looked up and their first foul was like 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter. We’ll have to see,” Ott added.

The Suns might be the best coached team in the NBA

Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) talk during the first half at the Mortgage Match Up Center.
© Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images

The Suns don’t have the most talented roster in the league, but they might be the most skilled on a nightly basis under Otto’s supervision. Still, as painful as this loss is, the Suns head coach isn’t using the free throw differential as an excuse for his loss.

“I know how hard we play and how hard they play and I know the stats. I know the stats they’ve been in all season. We have no excuses. We’re going to play these guys again soon. It’s going to be the same fight and we’re going to get better there. We’re going to keep getting better,” added Ott.

The Suns play the Pistons for the last time this season on Jan. 29 at 9:00 a.m. ET





2026-01-16 06:06:00

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