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Through the marathon that is an 82-game NBA season, tentpole events almost always double as performance checkpoints. In the case of the Phoenix Suns, expectations are still being exceeded in early February as the trade deadline and All-Star Weekend quickly approach.
After being projected to win around 30 games in the 2025-26 season, the Suns hold a 31-20 record at the deadline and remain in contention for a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoff race. Once the deadline passes, the Suns will play in four games before the league hits recess for All-Star festivities in Los Angeles.
At this point in the season, the Suns have officially begun to garner league-wide respect in the form of accolades. In addition to Devin Booker earning his fifth NBA All-Star selection, Dillon Brooks was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career and Jordan Ott was named Western Conference Coach of the Month for games played in January.
As with most all individual accolades, the honors bestowed upon Booker, Brooks and Ott are a product of the team’s success. Despite injuries and a grueling schedule, the Suns posted an 11-5 record in January and continue to pass the toughest tests they face.
Phoenix is no longer just a feel-good story in this league — it is a force to be respected as a real threat in the West. To take stock of the updated public perception, we take an updated look at where the Suns land on NBA power rankings from national publications.
Suns power rankings 2026
Highest rank: 6
Lowest rank: 10
As the Suns continue to exceed expectations and stack wins, they are still widely regarded as a top-10 team in the NBA. While no rankings place them higher than sixth, he lands no lower than 10th.
Here is where they stand ahead of the deadline…
Tim cato, allcity NBA
Cato’s latest power rankings were published on Jan. 26.
Suns rank: 8
Cato: “But while Phoenix’s first season was an utter success, the team’s second season was supposed to begin this past week with Jalen Green’s return. How he fits into the team’s spacing, and how much he amplifies it, will determine whether Phoenix could access higher highs that changes their middling record against the league’s best, as seen above.“
ESPN NBA STAFF
ESPN’s latest power rankings, a collaborative effort from their NBA staff, were published on Feb. 4.
Suns rank: 10
Dave McMenamin: “At 31-20 through 51 games, the Suns are one of the undisputed feel-good teams this season, with a new coach in Jordan Ott and a revamped roster around Devin Booker. Jalen Green, however, has not been part of that story. … He will see how he fits as he gets healthy with the playoffs approaching.“
John Schuhmann, nba.com
Schuhmann’s latest power rankings were published on NBA.com on Feb. 2.
Suns rank: 6
Schuhmann: “While the Suns got destroyed inside and on the glass by the Clippers on Sunday, it was the third straight game where they made at least eight more 3-pointers than their opponent. Phoenix ranks second in 3-point differential, having outscored its opponents by 7.3 points per game from beyond the arc.”
Law Murray, The Athletic
Murray’s latest power rankings were published on Feb. 2.
Suns rank: 9
Murray: “The Suns had an impressive week of wins, blowing out both the Pistons and Cavaliers without All-Star Devin Booker. Keep in mind, this is a Suns team that won one game all of last season without Booker in the lineup, and Jalen Green has only played five games this season.”
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports
Helin’s latest power rankings were published on Feb. 2.
Suns rank: 8
Helin: ” Phoenix is 4-5 without Booker this season, which is a far cry from last season when it won just one game without him. Booker was rightfully voted an All-Star by the coaches. While the Suns were at the heart of trade rumors the past few deadlines, they seem to be sitting this one out.“
Suns POwer rankings: Overall outlook
For a look at where the team landed in late January, you can visit our previous check-in here.
| Writer | Publication | Rank |
| Tim Cato | ALLCITY NBA | 8 |
| ESPN NBA Staff | ESPN.com | 10 |
| John Schuhmann | NBA.com | 6 |
| Law Murray | The Athletic | 9 |
| Kurt Helin | NBC Sports | 8 |
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