Jordan Ott hails Oso Ighodar’s ‘massive’ impact in win against Warriors

PHOENIX – Influence can come in all shapes and sizes, especially if you’re Oso Ighodaro and you’re 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 inserted into the starting lineup, in place of Mark Williams, to close out the game. It seemed quite fitting because Ighodaro fit well in the Suns’ defensive scheme.

The Warriors play a lot of offense and get their big men out on the perimeter. However, his solid defense and two hands hugging the ball every time he grabbed a rebound signaled a fierce game.

When Otto was asked about Ighodar’s influence, he highlighted all the areas in which he helped them.

“He played long, I think, in the second half. A little match and a little feeling,” Ott said after the game. “Quentin Post there, we’d like to switch as much as we can against those guys. Oso (Ighodaro) can play on the perimeter; he’s obviously helped us on the defensive rebound.

“He’s getting possession; five steals was huge. We were on him about getting the ball. He’s not only switching, but defensively being in front and getting the ball, which he’s shown a lot of strength in since mid-November. So that was tonight, you never know what’s going to happen the next night. It might be Mark (Williams) the next night. Tonight’s Oso

Dillon Brooks knew Oso Ighodaro had this in him

Three months. That much Dillon Brooks told reporters that Ighodaro should have fired him. A likable big man who has a knack for being optimistic, he screamed at Brooks on the bench in the middle of the second quarter.

From that point on, the Marquette Center stepped it up. More deliberate possession, calculated rebounds and a defensive threat on the perimeter emphasized quality play.

Even as Brooks lit up the stats, Ighodaro did the little things that helped the Suns pull out the win. Regardless, 13 jumps is a a large springboardaccording to Brooks, but it wasn’t because of a unique statistic.

“We needed his game today, he made big plays,” Brooks said in the locker room. “Like you said, 13 rebounds, he’s all over the place. He played hard, so we have to do that every game.

“If I have to heckle him and yell at him so he can do it every game, I’ll do it.”

Fun moment with Dillon Brooks and me: I asked him about Oso Ighodar’s 13-rebound performance, to which he replied, “Finally. He yelled at me.”@KellanOlson he followed up and asked if Brooks should demand those performances from Ighodar or force them out of him.

“It’s… pic.twitter.com/T5t4bUfR32

— Hayden Cilley (@HaidenCilley) December 19, 2025

Devin Booker saw Oso Ighodar’s potential from the start

Ighodaro was one of two players from the 2024-25 Suns who wowed Devin Booker. He constantly raved about endless motor skills, athleticism and pure basketball acumen.

Fast-forward one season, and a second-year slump could be in effect. But Ighodar’s notable plays against the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers showed potential.

A game like Thursday’s was the ultimate test. It wasn’t a pretty game, as both teams shot under 30% from deep and just under 40% from the field.

In that environment, being physical, getting rebounds and playing smart will win you the game. That’s something Booker knew all along.

“He’s been working. He’s been putting in the work and it’s time to show it,” Booker said after the game. “We see it behind the scenes and I think he is getting more comfortable every game.

“He gives us the versatility to be able to play five outs, play faster, switch a lot of actions. So I like the dynamic when we have Mark (Williams) and him, back and forth.”

With the Suns set to face the Warriors again on Saturday, Ighodaro’s name could be called up again. If it takes another case of Brooks to catch him, then a duplicate performance could be on the horizon.