The Phoenix Suns are one win away from making the playoffs, and by now you’re doubtless conscious that heart Mark Williams discovered himself on the bench in probably the most crucial second of the season.
Head coach Jordan Ott electing to take a seat him for the fourth-quarter of their eventual loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the play-in match, with Oso Ighodaro the primary beneficiary.
Ighodaro has future in The Valley it doesn’t matter what occurs
Ighodaro performed 23 minutes of the sport, with Williams being given one much less minute than that as head coach Jordan Ott revealed his hand on what he thinks of the franchise’s second spherical choose shifting ahead.
If you forged your thoughts again to the beginning of the season, you then in all probability keep in mind Ighodaro was tried because the beginning 5 as effectively.
That did not work, but it surely ought to have given us a serious clue into coach Ott’s pondering on this. Which is why Ighodaro goes to stay an essential a part of this rotation off the bench it doesn’t matter what.
Oso Ighodaro had his greatest recreation in a #Suns jersey in the win over the Kings, however as we stated to shut out 2025, this had been coming ( @LucaLockheart)https://t.co/IyPnmgswvE
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) January 3, 2026
It is one factor for coach Ott to assume this fashion, proper now he is underneath as a lot stress as he has confronted all season in Phoenix with their potential failure to make the playoffs, however he’s not alone.
Zach Lowe of The Ringer mentioned on his most recent podcast that he trusts Ighodaro greater than Williams in massive moments, which makes the choice to commerce a pair of first spherical picks for him look terrible in hindsight.
A decision that is surely not lost on each the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets because the Lakers seem for the playoffs correct and the Hornets proceed to pattern in the precise path with out him.
Making this even worse is the truth that, and we imply no disrespect right here, Ighodaro hasn’t even been that good all through his time in The Valley.
He is quietly constant and dilligent in setting screens and utilizing his athleticism on each ends of the court docket, however he can drift by way of video games and offensively would not require a lot recreation planning.
For Williams, who hopes to get a pleasant extension this offseason, to be shedding out on minutes to a second spherical choose who seems to be like a pleasant addition to the again of a rotation is massively regarding.
Not that Ighodaro will care. He has the backing of his head coach and a distinguished member of the nationwide media, and he continues to work arduous for his alternatives.
He can be an economical answer for the Suns as they flirt with the primary apron this summer season, a spot they don’t wish to return to. No matter how this season ends, Ighodaro must be thrilled.
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