Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball franchise based in Phoenix, Arizona. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. Founded in 1968 as an expansion franchise alongside the Milwaukee Bucks, the Suns were Arizona’s first major professional sports team and have built one of the NBA’s most respected organizations despite never winning a championship.

The Suns have reached the NBA Finals three times (1976, 1993, 2021), losing on each occasion. Despite this championship futility, the franchise boasts the highest all-time winning percentage (.539) of any team never to win an NBA title. The organization has featured Hall of Famers, including Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jason Kidd, with both Barkley and Nash winning MVP awards while wearing Suns uniforms.

Expansion Era and Early Success (1968–1976)

The Phoenix Suns joined the NBA in 1968, paying a franchise fee and selecting players in the expansion draft alongside the Milwaukee Bucks. The team’s name was chosen through a fan contest attracting over 28,000 entries, with “Suns” defeating finalists including Scorpions, Rattlers, and Thunderbirds.

The franchise struggled initially, posting losing records in its first seven seasons. However, the 1975-76 season delivered an improbable breakthrough. Led by rookie Alvan Adams (Rookie of the Year) and guard Paul Westphal, the 42-40 “Sunderella Suns” upset higher-seeded teams to reach the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.

The series is remembered for Game 5, a triple-overtime classic considered one of the greatest Finals games in history. Despite competitive efforts, the Suns lost the series 4-2, establishing a pattern of championship heartbreak that would define the franchise.

Competitive Consistency (1977–1988)

The late 1970s and 1980s featured sustained competitiveness but limited championship success. Guard Walter Davis, drafted in 1977, became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer (15,666 points until surpassed by Devin Booker in 2026). The Suns made frequent playoff appearances but never advanced past the Western Conference Finals.

The Charles Barkley Era (1992–1996)

In 1992, the Suns acquired power forward Charles Barkley from Philadelphia in a franchise-altering trade. Barkley immediately won MVP in his first Phoenix season, averaging 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds while leading the Suns to a franchise-record 62 wins.

The 1992-93 team advanced to the NBA Finals to face Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. Despite Barkley’s brilliance, the Suns lost 4-2, falling victim to Jordan’s dynasty. The series featured an iconic Game 2, where both Jordan and Barkley scored 42 points in an epic individual duel.

Barkley remained with Phoenix through 1996, making four All-Star teams, but the franchise never returned to the Finals during his tenure.

The “Seven Seconds or Less” Revolution (2004–2010)

In 2004, the Suns reacquired point guard Steve Nash, who had been drafted by Phoenix in 1996 but traded to Dallas in 1998. Nash’s return, combined with coach Mike D’Antoni’s innovative offensive system, revolutionized NBA basketball.

The “Seven Seconds or Less” offense emphasized rapid pace, three-point shooting, and constant ball movement. Nash, paired with forward Shawn Marion and center Amar’e Stoudemire, led Phoenix to elite regular-season success. Nash won back-to-back MVP awards (2005, 2006), becoming only the second point guard after Magic Johnson to achieve consecutive MVPs.

Despite posting 62 wins in 2004-05 and consistently ranking among the league’s top offensive teams, the Suns never reached the Finals during this era. Controversial officiating in the 2007 playoffs against San Antonio, including suspensions of Stoudemire and Boris Diaw, denied Phoenix its best championship opportunity.

The Dark Years (2010–2020)

Following Nash’s departure in 2012, the Suns entered the longest playoff drought in franchise history. Between 2011 and 2021, Phoenix missed the playoffs ten consecutive seasons, posting multiple sub-25-win campaigns and cycling through coaches and rebuilding strategies.

During this period, the franchise drafted Devin Booker with the 13th overall pick in 2015. Booker developed into one of the NBA’s elite scorers, becoming the youngest player to score 70 points in a game (March 2017) and making five All-Star teams.

The Chris Paul Era and 2021 Finals Run (2020–2023)

In 2020, the Suns hired Monty Williams as head coach and acquired veteran point guard Chris Paul. The combination transformed Phoenix overnight. The 2020-21 Suns finished 51-21 and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years.

After taking a 2-0 series lead over Milwaukee, the Suns collapsed, losing four consecutive games and the championship. Despite the devastating finish, the Finals appearance validated the franchise’s rebuild. They went on to be the no.1 seed the following year and posted a franchise-best 64-18 record, but ultimately lost to the Dallas Mavericks in seven games in the second round of the playoffs.  

The team acquired Kevin Durant in February 2023, creating a “Big Three” alongside Booker and Bradley Beal (acquired in 2023). However, injuries and roster dysfunction prevented championship success.

The 2024-25 Collapse and Organizational Reset

The 2024-25 season proved catastrophic. Despite championship expectations with Durant, Booker, and Beal, the Suns finished 36-46, missing the playoffs. Head coach Mike Budenholzer was fired on April 14, 2025, with four years and approximately $40 million remaining on his contract.

The Kevin Durant Trade and Roster Overhaul (2025)

On July 6, 2025, the Suns executed a record-breaking seven-team trade, sending Kevin Durant to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, draft picks including Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea, and future second-round selections.

The franchise also bought out Bradley Beal’s contract, using the stretch provision on his remaining $90 million guaranteed salary, a decision that will impact the salary cap for years.

The 2025-26 Season: Jordan Ott’s First Year

The Suns hired Jordan Ott as head coach in the summer of 2025. Ott, previously an assistant coach, implemented an up-tempo system emphasizing ball movement and three-point shooting. In the 2025 NBA Draft, Phoenix selected Liam McNeeley (29th overall) and Alex Toohey (52nd overall).

Devin Booker leads the franchise with 21.5 points per game and recently became the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Walter Davis.

Ownership and Front Office

Mat Ishbia purchased the Suns in 2023 for approximately $4 billion, one of the largest franchise sales in NBA history. Ishbia, founder of United Wholesale Mortgage, has taken an aggressive, hands-on approach to ownership. He will participate in the 2026 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

Brian Gregory serves as General Manager, overseeing basketball operations following the Durant trade and organizational reset.

Arena and Facilities

The Suns play home games at Footprint Center (formerly Phoenix Suns Arena, America West Arena), an 18,422-seat arena in downtown Phoenix. The venue opened in 1992 and underwent significant renovations in 2020.

Championships and Historical Record

The Suns have never won an NBA championship despite three Finals appearances (1976, 1993, 2021). The franchise has won six division titles and holds an all-time record of approximately 2,465-2,142 (.535 winning percentage), the highest among teams without championships.

Notable franchise records include Walter Davis’ former scoring record (15,666 points) and Steve Nash’s assists record (4,228). Alvan Adams holds the games played record (988).