Suns’ First 10 Games Breakdown

Let’s preview the upcoming initial 10-game block for the Phoenix Suns this season.

Naturally, training camp and the preseason must unfold before these games actually count. As everyone understands, roster availability can shift instantly based on injury disclosures from both camps. Still, examining the upcoming stretch from a broader, historical viewpoint remains a highly useful exercise.

During the previous campaign, the team logged a 5-5 record over their opening ten contests. Their journey to that mark was fascinating, serving as a reminder that beginning 1-4 is no reason to panic. By the same token, starting 4-1 shouldn’t trigger immediate celebrations. Of course, avoiding these knee-jerk reactions is easier planned than executed, since jumping to early conclusions—positive or negative—is incredibly tempting.

Below is an overview of their first ten matchups.

The Initial Ten Games

• Against postseason or play-in contenders from last season: 10 (!)

That is a significant dose of Golden State and Portland. Fully 40 percent of this starting stretch is comprised of matchups with those two franchises, split evenly between home and away venues. Additionally, every single opponent in this introductory period participated in either the playoffs or the play-in tournament last year. It is also highly concentrated with home court advantages, as seven of these first ten games will be played in Phoenix.

The Suns face two back-to-back sets, though fortunately, both occur amidst a five-game stretch on their home floor. Even so, they will be forced to play five games across just a seven-day span. This grueling run is bound to challenge their bench strength and physical endurance right out of the gate. Adam Silver isn’t fooling anyone here.

Make no mistake, this is a demanding sequence of games. Every opponent presents a distinct obstacle, particularly with matchups against Orlando and Los Angeles scheduled for the tail end of consecutive nights. Splitting these first ten games 5-5 would be a perfectly acceptable outcome. While some might view that as setting the bar too low, the start of any season is notoriously unpredictable. The primary goal is simply to survive this initial gauntlet in decent shape.

A Look Back

One year ago, their launch was far more turbulent than most recall. They slumped to 1-4 over their opening five matches, highlighted by a painful one-point defeat to Memphis and a road loss to Utah in extra time. However, they bounced back dramatically by capturing ten victories in their subsequent twelve games, elevating their standing to 11-6.

Reviewing these previous schedules offers quite a nostalgic journey, particularly when diving into the individual box scores. It is wild how much a team can transform between opening night and the end of the season.

This is how they fared over their opening ten contests during the previous five seasons:

• 2025-26: 5-5 (ended up 46-36)

• 2024-25: 8-2 (ended up 36-46)

• 2023-24: 4-6 (ended up 49-33)

• 2022-23: 7-3 (ended up 45-37)

• 2021-22: 7-3 (ended up 64-18)

Clearly, there is very little direct relationship either way. It proves that making broad assessments so early is a mistake. An impressive opening does not assure a successful campaign, nor does a sluggish start doom a roster to failure. Early-season basketball is highly unpredictable, meaning it is far more critical to assess these early matchups with long-term perspective rather than overreacting to a subpar 2-4 opening.

Teams must discover their own identity while simultaneously deciphering their opponents with minimal fresh data available, particularly given the extensive roster changes that occur across the league during the summer months.

The hope is that Phoenix leverages its roster consistency, fresh athletic legs, and home-heavy slate to build early momentum, providing a comfortable buffer for the remainder of the demanding 82-game journey.

What would a successful start to the season look like in your eyes, Bright Siders? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.