The Phoenix Suns have exceeded all expectations this season, and Suns forward Royce O’Neale believes that’s thanks to a strong team chemistry, clutch shooting and elite defense.
Phoenix is currently on a six-game road trip that will be capped off against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. The road trip is one of two that last six games this season, with the next being March 10-19. But that allows the players to spend more time together and work on their chemistry off the court.
“We doing whatever we have to do for us to make a name for ourselves and win these games.”
Royce O’Neale discussed with @BurnsAndGambo the change in the Suns’ team chemistry this season. pic.twitter.com/pEOBCoRQWp
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) January 23, 2026
“We’ve just been hanging out, going to dinners — spending a lot of time with each other, especially off the court,” Suns forward Royce O’Neale told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo Show. “It’s been great all around. … From going city to city, having time after practice, during games, off days. We’ve been being very useful with our time.”
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The Suns started their road trip with two straight losses, but have won three straight games. It’s Phoenix’s third win streak of at least three games in the last month, and a lot of that success has been driven by the Suns’ defensive intensity.
Phoenix ranks No. 4 in the NBA in defensive rating, according to teamrankings.com, and it’s jumped eight spots since the end of 2025. The Suns’ defense ranked 12th in defensive rating through 33 games, and the jump in improvement has taken place over the last 11 games.
“I think everybody staying on the same page, knowing that defense is going to win games. We want to get stops. I think we pride ourselves on getting stops and converting on the opposite end,” O’Neale said. “I think us just dialing in on the offensive and defensive end is huge for us. We all connected.”
The Suns have matched their defensive intensity with timely shot-making. Phoenix has won 12 of its last 16 games, including two wins against the New York Knicks, who are currently the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
O’Neale scored 12 points in the first matchup, including a 3-pointer with 1:16 remaining in the game to extend the Suns’ lead from two to five points. Then, the Suns traveled to Madison Square Garden to win their second game against New York in eight days.
“I think everybody wants to play at the Garden. That’s one of the monumental arenas to play in — big-time moments, big-time plays,” O’Neale said. “So it was huge for us to close out that game at the end. Just for myself, knocking down that big shot, just doing whatever it takes for us to win, making crucial plays on the defensive end, and then offensively, we closed it out.”
The Suns’ defensive prowess this season and overall success throughout the year have been because of their ability to play better together, something O’Neale said has been the biggest difference between this season and last.
“I feel like our communication’s been a big time adjustment, everybody’s being connected, talking, helping each other out,” O’Neale said. “Also feeding off each other’s energy. Whether I’m starting it or Devin, Dillon, Jalen and Grayson.”
The Suns are rolling, currently 27-17 and a season-high 10 games over .500, sitting in the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix will close out its road trip with the Hawks on Friday before returning home for nine of its next 10 games.
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