Look, the NBA is a weird place right now in 2026. If you’d told a fan a few years ago that we'd be watching a Phoenix team coached by Jordan Ott dismantle people without Kevin Durant—who is currently getting buckets for the Houston Rockets, by the way—they would’ve called you crazy. But that's exactly where we are. The latest Phoenix Suns vs Wizards matchup wasn't just another January game; it was a total masterclass in how a disciplined, defensive-minded squad can absolutely break a young, rebuilding team.
Phoenix basically strolled into this one and took care of business. 112-93. It wasn't even as close as the twenty-point gap suggests.
The Night Phoenix Smothered the Capital
Let's talk about the vibe in the Footprint Center last Sunday. The Suns came in as heavy favorites, and honestly, they played like they knew it. There’s a certain swagger this Phoenix team has developed. They aren't just relying on isolation ball anymore. Instead, they moved the rock. They guarded the perimeter like their lives depended on it.
The Wizards? Man, they looked lost.
Washington Coughed it up 23 times. You cannot win in this league when you're handing the ball over every other possession. Devin Booker, who is still the heart and soul of this franchise, didn't even need to go into "Point Book" overdrive. He played 26 minutes, dropped 17 points, and dished out 8 assists. He basically spent the fourth quarter chilling on the bench in a warm-up suit. That’s the dream for a star player in the middle of a long season.
Royce O’Neale: The Unlikely Hero
If you were looking for the high-point man, you might have expected Booker or maybe Dillon Brooks. Nope. It was Royce O’Neale. He went nuclear from deep, hitting five triples and finishing with 19 points.
When O'Neale is hitting those transition threes, the Suns become a nightmare to guard. It opens up the lane for Mark Williams—who has been a beast on the boards this year—to do his thing. Williams ended the night with a solid 12 points and 8 rebounds, mostly just by being bigger and meaner than anyone Washington put in front of him.
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What's Going on With the Wizards?
It’s tough being a Wizards fan lately. They’re sitting at 10-28 after this loss, which is... not great. But there is a silver lining if you look closely at the Phoenix Suns vs Wizards box score.
Alex Sarr is a problem.
In a good way. The kid finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Watching him go up against the Suns' veteran frontline was one of the few highlights for the D.C. crowd. He’s got that rare combination of size and mobility that makes you think, "Okay, maybe the rebuild is actually going somewhere."
Tre Johnson also chipped in 19. These are the guys Washington is betting the house on. They’re young, they’re fast, and they’re incredibly inconsistent. One minute they look like the future of the league, and the next, they're throwing the ball into the third row.
The Turnover Nightmare
Honestly, the turnovers are what killed them. 23 of them. Phoenix converted those into 25 points. That’s the game right there. When you have a veteran squad like the Suns, they’re going to smell blood the second you get sloppy.
A Shift in the Suns' Identity
It’s worth noting how much this Phoenix team has changed under Jordan Ott. They’re currently 5th in the league in defensive rating. That’s wild for a franchise that was historically known for "seven seconds or less" and purely offensive fireworks.
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They don't beat you by scoring 140 anymore. They beat you by making sure you can't score 100.
Against Washington, they held the Wizards to 39.5% from the field. That’s abysmal. Even worse? Washington shot 23.3% from the three-point line. You can't survive in the modern NBA shooting like that. It’s impossible.
Key Performance Markers
- The Bench Mob: Phoenix got 12 from Grayson Allen and 10 from Oso Ighodaro. Their depth is legit.
- Third Quarter Surge: The Suns led 96-65 heading into the fourth. They outscored Washington 31-15 in that third frame.
- The Glass: Phoenix didn't just win; they controlled the tempo by winning the rebound battle 43-40.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
The Phoenix Suns vs Wizards rivalry isn't exactly Lakers-Celtics, but it’s a great barometer for where these two franchises are. Phoenix is 24-15 and fighting for a top spot in a crowded Western Conference. They’re nine games above .500 and looking like a team that no one wants to see in the first round of the playoffs.
Washington is at the bottom of the East, looking for ping-pong balls in the lottery.
Is there hope for the Wizards? Sure. But they need more than just Sarr and Johnson having good individual nights. They need a system. Right now, they look like a collection of talented individuals who haven't quite figured out how to play winning basketball together.
What Most Fans Missed
Everyone talks about the scoring, but the real story was the Suns' communication. If you were at the game, you could hear it. They were calling out screens three seconds before they happened. They were rotating in perfect sync.
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That’s what separates a contender from a pretender.
The Suns are currently leading the Pacific Division, which is impressive considering the talent in that group. They’ve won 10 of their last 13 games. They are peaking at the right time, while Washington is just trying to stay afloat.
Injury Realities
It helped the Suns that they were relatively healthy for this one. Jalen Green was out with a hamstring issue, but they didn't really miss him. On the other side, Washington was missing Trae Young—who’s been dealing with a quad injury—and Cam Whitmore. Having Trae on the floor might have helped the Wizards' spacing, but it probably wouldn't have fixed their defensive lapses.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following these teams, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next few weeks:
- Watch the Suns' Road Trip: They are heading East for a six-game stretch. How they handle the travel and the back-to-backs will tell us if they’re truly elite.
- Sarr’s Development: For the Wizards, the win-loss record doesn't matter as much as Alex Sarr's consistency. If he can keep putting up double-doubles, the season is a success.
- The Turnover Tracker: If Washington doesn't get their turnovers under 15 per game, they’re going to continue getting blown out by veteran teams.
The Suns are for real. The Wizards are a work in progress. This game was just a very loud reminder of the gap between the two.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to track the Suns' progress, keep a close eye on their defensive rating over the next ten games. If it stays in the top five, they are legitimate title contenders. For those following the Wizards, watch the chemistry between Sarr and Johnson; their "points-off-assists" stat is the best indicator of whether the team is actually learning to play together.