Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team competes in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Suns play in the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Suns entered the NBA for the 1968-1969 season. The team’s star during its early years was forward Connie Hawkins. From 1977 through 1983, Phoenix was one of the stronger teams in the Western Conference. Suns stars during that period included guards Paul Westphal and Walter Davis, center Alvan Adams, and forward Truck Robinson.
Phoenix had strong teams from 1988 to 1995, with the league’s best record in 1992-1993 in reaching the NBA finals. The top players on those teams included forwards Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle and guard Kevin Johnson. During the early 2000’s, the Suns began a rebuilding program, led by forward Shawn Marion and guard Stephon Marbury. The Suns won the Pacific Division title for the 2004-2005 season, winning 62 regular season games, the most in the NBA. The team was led by Marion, center Amare Stoudemire, and guard Steve Nash, who was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. Phoenix lost in the conference finals to the San Antonio Spurs. Phoenix won the Pacific Division title again for the 2005-2006 season, losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals. The Suns won the division title again in 2006-2007 but were defeated in the second round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs.
After losing in the conference finals in 2009-2010, the Suns struggled for a number of years. In the late 2010’s, the team started to rebuild behind young talents Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Star point guard Chris Paul played for the team from 2020 to 2023. The 2020-2021 team advanced to the NBA finals but was defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns had the league’s best record in 2021-2022 but were defeated in the second round of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks. Forward Kevin Durant joined the Suns during the 2022-2023 season.
See also Barkley, Charles.
