• Bordow on Suns' loss to Heat

    Bordow on Suns’ loss to Heat

  • Triano on Suns' loss to Heat

    Triano on Suns’ loss to Heat

  • Shot Clock: Eric Bledsoe sent packing

    Shot Clock: Eric Bledsoe sent packing

  • Jared Dudley after Suns' loss to Nets

    Jared Dudley after Suns’ loss to Nets

  • Suns' Devin Booker on loss to Spurs

    Suns’ Devin Booker on loss to Spurs

  • Jay Triano on Suns loss to Spurs

    Jay Triano on Suns loss to Spurs

  • Bordow on Suns loss to Spurs

    Bordow on Suns loss to Spurs

  • Triano on Suns' loss to Knicks

    Triano on Suns’ loss to Knicks

  • Chandler on the Suns' loss to Knicks

    Chandler on the Suns’ loss to Knicks

  • Warren on his career night in Washington

    Warren on his career night in Washington

  • Triano on Suns' win over Wizards

    Triano on Suns’ win over Wizards

  • Bordow on Suns' 'stunning' comeback win

    Bordow on Suns’ ‘stunning’ comeback win

  • Jay Triano on Suns' win over Nets

    Jay Triano on Suns’ win over Nets

  • T.J. Warren on Suns' win over Nets

    T.J. Warren on Suns’ win over Nets

  • Scott Bordow breaks down Suns' win over Nets

    Scott Bordow breaks down Suns’ win over Nets

  • Head coach Jay Triano on Suns' loss to Blazers

    Head coach Jay Triano on Suns’ loss to Blazers

  • Alex Len on Suns' loss to Blazers

    Alex Len on Suns’ loss to Blazers

  • Shot Clock: Phoenix Suns and ASU start to turn their seasons around.

    Shot Clock: Phoenix Suns and ASU start to turn their seasons around.

  • Bordow on Suns' win over the Jazz

    Bordow on Suns’ win over the Jazz

  • Triano on Suns' win over Jazz

    Triano on Suns’ win over Jazz

  • Shot Clock: It's not all bad, Suns fans

    Shot Clock: It’s not all bad, Suns fans

  • Scott Bordow recaps' Suns first win of season

    Scott Bordow recaps’ Suns first win of season

  • Jay Triano on Suns' win over Kings

    Jay Triano on Suns’ win over Kings

  • Marquese Chriss on Suns' win over Kings

    Marquese Chriss on Suns’ win over Kings

  • Suns Eric Bledsoe sent home

    Suns Eric Bledsoe sent home

  • Suns interim coach Jay Triano

    Suns interim coach Jay Triano

  • Phoenix Suns News: Scott Bordow and Greg Moore on the latest

    Phoenix Suns News: Scott Bordow and Greg Moore on the latest

  • Scott Bordow discusses another big Suns loss

    Scott Bordow discusses another big Suns loss

  • Eric Bledsoe on Suns' 'embarrassing' loss

    Eric Bledsoe on Suns’ ’embarrassing’ loss

  • Earl Watson on Suns' loss to Clippers

    Earl Watson on Suns’ loss to Clippers

  • Scott Bordow recaps Suns' loss to Lakers

    Scott Bordow recaps Suns’ loss to Lakers

  • Chandler on Suns' loss to Lakers

    Chandler on Suns’ loss to Lakers

  • Watson on Suns' loss to Lakers

    Watson on Suns’ loss to Lakers

  • Bordow, Moore on Connie Hawkins after memorial service

    Bordow, Moore on Connie Hawkins after memorial service

  • Suns fans, friends, family remember Connie Hawkins

    Suns fans, friends, family remember Connie Hawkins

  • Shot Clock: Buckle up, Lonzo Ball

    Shot Clock: Buckle up, Lonzo Ball

  • Shot Clock: Suns opener goes horribly wrong

    Shot Clock: Suns opener goes horribly wrong

  • Watson reacts to record-setting blowout loss in opener

    Watson reacts to record-setting blowout loss in opener

  • Bledsoe on blowout loss in opener

    Bledsoe on blowout loss in opener

  • Bordow recaps a season-opening rout

    Bordow recaps a season-opening rout

  • Suns fans: What do they know? Do they know things?? Let's find out

    Suns fans: What do they know? Do they know things?? Let’s find out

  • Shot Clock: Suns' opener - Josh Jackson a starter?

    Shot Clock: Suns’ opener – Josh Jackson a starter?

  • Earl Watson on expectations during scrimmage

    Earl Watson on expectations during scrimmage

  • Eric Bledsoe talks at Suns camp

    Eric Bledsoe talks at Suns camp

  • Suns coach Earl Watson talks at Suns camp

    Suns coach Earl Watson talks at Suns camp

  • Earl Watson on state of Suns players at camp

    Earl Watson on state of Suns players at camp

  • Dragan Bender discusses his mindset at Suns camp

    Dragan Bender discusses his mindset at Suns camp

  • Devin Booker on Suns training camp

    Devin Booker on Suns training camp

  • Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson

    Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson

  • Phoenix Suns training camp Day 1

    Phoenix Suns training camp Day 1

  • Phoenix Suns Devin Booker at Media Day

    Phoenix Suns Devin Booker at Media Day

  • Suns' Jared Dudley on reaction to President Trump

    Suns’ Jared Dudley on reaction to President Trump

  • Greg Moore interviews Suns owner Robert Sarver

    Greg Moore interviews Suns owner Robert Sarver

  • Scott Bordow interviews Suns center Alan Williams

    Scott Bordow interviews Suns center Alan Williams

  • Phoenix Suns Charities donates $1 million

    Phoenix Suns Charities donates $1 million

  • Suns unveil 'Statement Edition' uniform

    Suns unveil ‘Statement Edition’ uniform

  • Markelle Fultz thinks Sixers are playoff bound

    Markelle Fultz thinks Sixers are playoff bound

  • Shot Clock: ASU QB fail? Suns 'lose' Kyrie

    Shot Clock: ASU QB fail? Suns ‘lose’ Kyrie

  • Shot Clock: LeBron-Bledsoe link may help Suns

    Shot Clock: LeBron-Bledsoe link may help Suns

  • Shot Clock: Jackson included in Irving rumors

    Shot Clock: Jackson included in Irving rumors

  • Shot Clock: Kyrie Irving to Suns?

    Shot Clock: Kyrie Irving to Suns?

  • Robert Sarver discusses Suns' arena situation

    Robert Sarver discusses Suns’ arena situation

  • Shot Clock: NBA Summer League taking toll?

    Shot Clock: NBA Summer League taking toll?

  • Mike James on his 32-point performance in loss to Grizzlies

    Mike James on his 32-point performance in loss to Grizzlies

  • Summer Suns coach Marlon Garnett discusses Phoenix's win

    Summer Suns coach Marlon Garnett discusses Phoenix’s win

  • Josh Jackson on his increasing comfort

    Josh Jackson on his increasing comfort

  • Marquese Chriss on Suns' defensive effort

    Marquese Chriss on Suns’ defensive effort

  • Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

    Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

  • Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League

    Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League

  • Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns

    Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns

  • Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

    Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

  • Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice

    Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice

  • Suns' Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League

    Suns’ Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League

  • What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency

    What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency

  • Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston?

    Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston?

Friday’s game: Magic at Suns

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM 98.7.

Update: The Suns have lost four straight games and have faced big first-quarter deficits in their past five games. The Magic are 7-4 and coming off a 13-point win over the Knicks on Wednesday. Orlando, beginning a four-game road trip, is getting a breakout season from former University of Arizona product Aaron Gordon, who’s averaging 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 57.5 percent from 3-point range. Nikola Vucevic is a presence inside for the Magic; he’s averaging 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Tyson Chandler is out Friday night because of back spasms.

Ulis’ struggles

The rest of his teammates had sprinted up the stairs from the Suns’ practice court, eager to grab a lunch and take the rest of the day off.

Tyler Ulis remained behind, working on his shot. Three-pointers from the top of the key and the baseline, floaters and one-legged jumpers. Finally, after about 20 minutes, he handed the ball to an assistant coach, grabbed a drink and went upstairs.

When Ulis became the starting point guard for the final 15 games last season in place of the “resting” Eric Bledsoe, he opened eyes in the organization and throughout the league, averaging 16.1 points, 8.5 assists and 1.2 steals with a 3.34 assist-to-turnover ratio. He was only the third rookie since 1990-91 – Darren Collison and Damon Stoudamire were the others – to average at least 8.5 assists their rookie season with a minimum of 10 starts.

Ulis thought he would build on those numbers this season. So did the Suns. Instead, after 12 games, Ulis is searching for that magic and, most important, searching for his shot. Ulis is shooting 34.5 percent from the field this season compared with 42.1 percent in 2016-17. He’s making just 13.3 percent from 3-point range. Last season he hit 26.6 percent.

In Phoenix’s past five games – four of which have been losses – he’s shooting 24.4 percent from the field. And his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1 for the season is a significant drop-off.

“Obviously I have to play a lot better,” Ulis said.

The offseason knee surgery that sidelined Alan Williams affected Ulis more than any other player on the Suns’ roster. The two developed a special chemistry in the pick-and-roll last season. As opposed to Tyson Chandler and Alex Len, who sprint to the rim for lobs, Williams was a half-roll big man who would slide into an open space in the paint and wait for Ulis’ pocket passes.

“Big Al just has a real good knack of sliding and knowing where to go, a familiarity with Tyler that maybe some other guys don’t have yet,” interim coach Jay Triano said.

“We understood each other’s game,” Ulis said. “That’s a big reason why I had the assist average I had as a starter. He knew where I wanted him. That’s just something I have to get used to with Alex and Tyson.”

Ulis’ shooting woes have little to do with Williams’ loss, though. Ulis said he’s getting to same the spots he did last season and taking the same shots. They’re just not going in.

“I don’t see any difference in his shot selection,” Triano said.

Ulis watched video of his shot compared with last season to determine if there was a mechanical flaw in his release but he didn’t see any difference. Instead, he wondered if the rim shots are playing with his confidence.

“Maybe I’m a little more hesitant just because I’m missing,” he said. “I just have to stay aggressive and stay on the attack. You have to let it fly.”

Defenses are forcing Ulis to become a shooter. Guards are running under screens so Ulis can’t get into the lane and either get off his 12-foot floater or draw a double-team and find an open Len or Chandler.

“You want to set guys up, but if teams are going to play you as a pass-first point guard you have to let the ball go and make them pay for it,” Ulis said. “But that’s just me not being able to shoot the ball well right now. That’s why I’ve been in the gym working on my shot.

“It’s nothing I’m really worried about. I’m just worried about the rhythm and the flow our (second) unit gets. I’m going to have to step up and lead my unit. Obviously I have to play a lot better because I feel our group goes as I go.”

Picked on?

An ongoing problem for center Alex Len surfaced again in Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat when he was called for two illegal screens before five minutes were gone in the game. Triano, however, believes Len is being held to a different standard than other NBA big men.

“I think the way he sets screens is not different than the way a whole lot of guys set screens,” Triano said. “He’s an easy target. If he moves his hips he’s going to get called. It’s not like that isn’t illegal. He gives a little bit of a hip to try to get his teammates open. He has to learn to be still but it’s not unlike what every ‘big’ in the NBA does as far as last second little movement to try to create space.”

Len will get his second straight start against Orlando because center Tyson Chandler is sidelined with back spasms.

Magic man

Devin Booker has a mental checklist of the 12 teams that passed on him before the Suns made him the 13th overall pick in the 2015 draft and admitted there’s extra incentive to “bust” those teams.

But he would like to dispel the myth that he was upset the Magic didn’t take him with the fifth pick that year. Instead, Orlando chose swingman Mario Hezonja.

The DeVos family, which owns the Magic, is from Grand Rapids, Mich., where Booker grew up, and he’s friends with three of Rich and Helen DeVos’ grandchildren.

“I’m close with the family but I wasn’t projected to be a top five pick,” he said. “They went the route they went. I’m happy with where I’m at.”

Note

The Suns recalled Derrick Jones Jr. He will be available for Friday night’s game against Orlando Magic.

More: What will Suns do with treasure trove of assets?

Moore: Suns GM Ryan McDonough says Eric Bledsoe trade could speed up the #timeline

Bickley: Phoenix Suns’ Eric Bledsoe trade pushes timeline down road; fans deserve better

Saturday’s game: Timberwolves at Suns

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM 98.7.

Update: The Timberwolves are 7-4 and will have had two days off after losing to Golden State on Wednesday. Phoenix will have its hands full dealing with Minnesota’s Big Three. Center Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 21.3 points and 11 rebounds per game; offseason acquisition Jimmy Butler is averaging 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists; and Andrew Wiggins is scoring 19.6 points per contest. Butler’s intensity has rubbed off on his teammates; Minnesota leads the league in 8.1 loose balls recovered per game. The Timberwolves also take advantage of opponents’ miscues; they’re tied for ninth in league with 18.5 points per contest off turnovers.