Matt Petersen

The brave men and women of our nation’s armed services keep us — and our freedoms — safe. This Wednesday night, the Phoenix Suns will honor them with USAA Military Appreciation Night when the team takes on the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m. at Footprint Center.

As a way to say thank you, active or retired military members can receive 20 percent off tickets to USAA Military Appreciation Night by visiting Suns.com/USAAMilitary and a 20 percent discount at the new expansive Team Shop, both with valid military ID.  

The evening will be highlighted by numerous pre- and in-game features dedicated to celebrating the American military members who protect and serve our country. 

Suns fans arriving at Footprint Center will be welcomed by an array of military vehicles on the Plaza and fans can sign a large USO banner to write personalized messages of support to our troops. Additionally, the U.S. Army band will serenade fans as they enter the arena. Prior to tip-off, fans will enjoy a national anthem and colors presentation from local military members along with local representatives from each military branch during the starting lineup. The evening will feature various in-game recognitions thanking our heroes throughout the game. 

For military personal from Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona unable to head to downtown Phoenix, the Suns are bringing the game to them by hosting a watch party on base to catch the Suns take on the Trail Blazers.

All fans can scoop up a limited-edition Hoops for Troops t-shirt as the night’s PayPal Item of the Game at the Team Shop. 

Earlier this month in advance of USAA Military Night, Suns legend Tom Chambers, the Gorilla and Suns Entertainers paid a surprise visit to local heroes at the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Phoenix.

Tickets for Wednesday’s USAA Military Appreciation Night are still available in limited supply and can be purchased by visiting Suns.com/SingleGame. 

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The Bold & The Brave

The Valley’s original professional sports team, Los Soles, have a rich connection with the Latino community and its culture.

This Tuesday, November 2 when the Suns take on the New Orleans Pelicans on their home floor at Footprint Center, the team will celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead presented by Hornitos® Tequila. The holiday which originates in Mexico, is a joyful celebration of life and death that brings family and friends together to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away.

During Dia de los Muertos, an ofrenda or altar is the centerpiece of the holiday and built in private homes, cemeteries and public areas to celebrate the lives of the deceased during the joyful celebration. In honor of the night, Phoenix altar artist Felipa Lerma has designed a Phoenix Suns themed community altar that will honor Suns players and coaches who have passed away. Fans are encouraged to participate in the festivity and honor their loved ones who have passed away by bringing photos and placing them on the altar.

The night will also be filled with an explosion of entretenimiento Mexicano including a live pregame performance by Mariachi Azteca de Oro. Fans will be able to take photos with Catrinas, whom will be roaming the pavilion pregame. The national anthem will be sang by El Charro de Arizona, Alan Ponce who will perform alongside Tradiciones Dance Co. during half-time for a Dia de los Muertos inspired performance. Additionally, the Suns Team Shop will offer an exclusive calavera t-shirt as the night’s item of the game and the first 5,000 fans age 21 years old and up will receive a calavera facemask in theme with the night, courtesy of Hornitos® Tequila.

Tickets for Tuesday’s Dia de los Muertos are still available and can be purchased by visiting Suns.com/SingleGame. Take advantage of the best ticketing offers and benefits by becoming a PayPal SixthMan Season Ticket Member at Suns.com/Membership and be sure to visit Suns.com for the latest stories about the team on and off the court. 

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Los Soles Celebrate Dia de los Muertos on Nov. 2 with Hornitos® Tequila

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker likes to surprise people, particularly when he’s handing out $2.5M in grant money from his Devin Booker Starting Five program.

On Wednesday, after the Suns preseason game with the Portland Trail Blazers, Booker may have struck a new enthusiasm level when Girl Scouts from the Arizona-Cactus Pine Council unexpectedly met their favorite player and then were gifted $100,000 by him.

The Girl Scouts were initially excited by the invitation to attend Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. They had no idea what awaited them.

The Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Girl Scouts consist of more than 20,000 from more than 90 communities, including Indian Reservations and military installations across 75,000 miles in central and northern Arizona.

The $100,000 grant officially tips off the 2021-22 class of the Devin Booker Starting Five – a $2.5 million commitment made by Booker in 2019 to grant $100,000 each to five nonprofits each season over five years. The remaining nonprofits of this year’s class will be announced soon.

The transformative funds from the Devin Booker Starting Five will help the Girl Scouts, among other things, replace their mini-bus necessary to transport youth to and from educational and character-building activities and experiences. Due to vandalism and theft, the nonprofit is without a functioning vehicle to support Girl Scouts served across the state of Arizona.

For Christina Spicer, Deputy Director of Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, the funds could not have come at a better time as the nonprofit returns to in-person camps and day trips.

“The Devin Booker Starting Five grant will provide an incredible resource for our girls,” said Spicer. “Having our bus need fully funded will allow our girls more access to girl-scouting and will be a huge gift for us. The fact that Book is supporting our girls and standing for women and girls is an enormous gift.”

Booker has excelled on the court for the Suns over the past six seasons, becoming a two-time All-Star and led his team through an exciting run to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career. But his dedication off the court has been equally important to the city of Phoenix. For the past several years, Booker has treated youth from around The Valley to holiday shopping sprees, pledged more than $100,000 to Phoenix Suns Charities in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and is a Special Olympics Global Ambassador promoting inclusion through sport, especially opportunities involving basketball

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DEVIN BOOKER SURPRISES ARIZONA GIRL SCOUTS WITH $100,000 DONATION

PHOENIX – Following a Game 2 win in Las Vegas last night to guarantee a Game 4 in Phoenix, the three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury and defending NBA Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns will host an unprecedented NBA/WNBA doubleheader at Footprint Center on Wednesday, October 6.

The Suns’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers will tip-off an afternoon of basketball action at the newly renovated arena in downtown Phoenix at 3 p.m. PT on NBATV, while the Mercury’s Game 4 showdown with the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Semifinals will begin at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN.

Both games will be played on the Phoenix Mercury’s home court.

“There were a lot of moving parts and a number of groups, including the NBA and WNBA, the Lakers and their local broadcast partner, and ESPN that had to work together to make this happen,” said Jason Rowley, President and CEO for Suns Legacy Partners, LLC. “In the end, all parties should be proud to be a part of this historic doubleheader. Personally, I’m looking forward to a Phoenix sweep!”

Initially scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip at Footprint Center, the Suns and Lakers proactively worked to move up the start time of their preseason showdown to ensure the Mercury will play Game 4 in their home arena.

While the two games will act as a doubleheader, each matchup will be treated as separate events. Fans will be required to purchase separate tickets to each game.  General doors for the Suns’ preseason game will open at 2 p.m. (PayPal Sixthman Member doors to open at 1:45), while general doors for the Mercury game will open at 6 p.m. (5:45 p.m. for PayPal X-Factor members).

Tickets for the Mercury game are on sale now. As an added member benefit, PayPal Sixthman Season Ticket Members will receive the opportunity to claim complimentary tickets to the Mercury’s Game 4 of the Semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday.

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MERCURY, SUNS ANNOUNCE UNPRECEDENTED DOUBLEHEADER

Devin Booker scored 40 points, but the Milwaukee Bucks made the key plays in the final minute to top the Phoenix Suns 123-119 Saturday night at Footprint Center to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.

The Suns clawed back from 10 points down with 3:25 to play and had the ball with the chance to take the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining. But a terrific Jrue Holiday steal led to a soaring Giannis Antetokounmpo And-1 dunk, and after he missed the ensuing free throw, he tapped the ball to teammate Khris Middleton which forced the Suns to foul.

Phoenix raced out to an early 16-point lead, but the Bucks answered by outscoring the Suns 43-24 in the second quarter to take a 64-61 advantage into halftime. Milwaukee's lead grew to 14 points early in the fourth and hovered around double digits until the Suns made their final push.

Chris Paul (21 points, 11 assists) and Deandre Ayton (20 points, 10 rebounds) both finished with double-doubles for Phoenix.

The Suns must now win Tuesday's Game 6 in Milwaukee to force a decisive Game 7 back in Phoenix on Thursday. This is the first time in the playoffs that Phoenix will enter a game facing elimination.

CLICK HERE for the Suns full media availability.

Devin Booker: 40 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Chris Paul: 21 points, 11 assists, 2 reboudns, 1 block

Deandre Ayton: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal

Mikal Bridges: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steal, 1 block

Jae Crowder: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Everyone has a voice in the Suns’ locker room, building trust and communication that led them to the NBA Finals

The Suns are led by two of the most vocal players in the NBA in Jae Crowder and Chris Paul. But as this thrilling season unfolded, many other Suns began to find their own voices and are now encouraged by Monty Williams to speak out and speak up.

"We all do it to a certain extent,” Devin Booker said. “Anybody can do that anytime on this team … Nobody takes it personal. Nobody gets mad at somebody for doing anything like that. I think it just brings our team together even more."

How the Phoenix Suns' consistent focus has guided them to NBA Finals

“Locked in” is a popular phrase used across sports at all levels to describe being singularly focused on the immediate task at hand. After a grueling 72-game regular season and three thrilling playoff series, it has never been more important for these Suns to exercise that mental approach. They will open the NBA Finals Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, embarking on their last stretch toward the ultimate summit.

The Suns are locked in on a formidable opponent. They are locked in on maintaining their style of play and everyday habits that got them this far. They are locked in on seizing four more wins, and clinching the first NBA title in franchise history.

Highlighted by the “Valley-oop,” Deandre Ayton’s game has reached new new heights during Suns’ playoff run

After the lengthy officials’ review, the crowd’s roar upon confirmation that his finish was legal and the endless hugs from teammates and coaches, Ayton emphatically agreed when asked if that was the best play of his life. The “Valley-oop” to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 104-103 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals is already an iconic moment in Phoenix Suns history.

It was also the latest reminder that Ayton’s consistent — and often dominant — play unfolding bit-by-bit during this electrifying postseason run has rapidly vaulted him into the conversation surrounding the NBA’s top-tier centers.

Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson’s bond off the floor is paying dividends on the court during the Suns postseason run

Johnson and Bridges are now known as “The Twins,” a nickname coined by Deandre Ayton because they are always around each other and play a similar position and style. After forming their initial bond heading into the 2019-20 season, Johnson’s and Bridges’ relationship flows from the locker room onto the court and epitomizes the Suns’ necessary trust, togetherness and overall synergy that has led them to the Western Conference Finals.

Why James Jones' NBA Executive of the Year Award arrived at the perfect time

On June 20, 2019, Jones helped launch the construction of the Suns’ roster now up 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals. And on June 20, 2021, Jones was named NBA Executive of the Year. What a difference two years can make.

Why the Phoenix Suns are fueled by attention to detail, an emphasis that will continue during Western Conference Finals

It takes talent, relentless drive and togetherness to become one of the NBA’s final four teams remaining in the postseason. But the Suns’ ability to reach this level of consistent, confident and clinical execution, particularly while winning a franchise-record seven consecutive playoff games, can be directly tied to their willingness to embrace the belief that everything counts. That attention to detail becomes even more critical with an NBA Finals berth on the line when Phoenix’s series against the Los Angeles Clippers begins Sunday afternoon, especially with Paul missing at least Game 1 while in health and safety protocols.

Torrey Craig's versatility and hustle are on display in Suns' playoff series against his former team

Craig is a versatile defender and willing rebounder on both ends. He will dive for 50/50 balls and flash his athleticism via deflections and blocks. He has gotten more offensive opportunities with the Suns as an outside shooter and authoritative finisher off cuts and in transition. Now, Craig is showcasing all of those attributes during a playoff series against his former team while providing a jolt to the Suns’ championship aspirations.

How the Phoenix Suns have created arguably the NBA’s best home-court advantage during the 2021 NBA Playoffs

That electric crowd is goosebumps-inducing in person and takes television viewers aback, prompting local pride and national attention. It has been praised by young Suns experiencing the postseason for the first time and veterans who have been through countless playoff games alike. That’s why it’s reasonable to wonder if — or conclude that — the Suns have quickly created the NBA’s best home-court advantage during these playoffs.

How the Suns’ full-throttle mentality propelled them to Western Conference Semifinals

The formal definition of the word “relentless” is “oppressively constant; incessant.” That descriptor has followed the Suns throughout this season, applying to their on-court style of play and their everyday habits while navigating this unique season. Knocking off the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs’ first round required a relentless approach, which now carries the Suns into the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.

“It’s just how the guys are built, individually and as a collective group,” Booker said. “If you go down the list of all the players, there’s nobody that’s scared of the moment. There’s nobody that hasn’t prepared for this moment. This isn’t new. This is how we’ve been playing for most of the season. We’ve had ups and downs, but we’re a confident team and we play hard all the way through.”

General manager James Jones is using his championship pedigree to construct a Suns roster on the rise

Now in his third season as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, James Jones has taken his knowledge of what it takes to win a ring and is building a roster of like-minded players with high-IQs, unselfish personalities and relentless attitudes both on the court and behind the scenes.

The result is Phoenix’s dramatic rise over the past two seasons. The Suns went 51-21 during the 2020-21 regular season, finished second in a loaded Western Conference and enters Tuesday with the opportunity to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series against the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Thanks to a fresh start with the Suns, Cameron Payne is proving he belongs

Cameron Payne plays with a fiery passion that somehow looks both free and furious, prompting some to compare him to the “haboob” dust storms that disrupt the Valley air during the summer monsoon season. It’s a fitting style for Payne, a former lottery draft pick who had his NBA career stripped away in early 2019 and is now savoring his shot on a Suns team with championship aspirations.

Fans from all walks of life travel to enemy territory to support the Suns in return to NBA Playoffs

“To be on the road and have your fans cheering for you, especially when you make a run, is pretty cool," head coach Monty Williams said. "We’re thankful, grateful and we’re fighting our tails off to make those fans that we have in this environment have something to cheer for.”

Whether traveling from Phoenix or different parts of California, Suns.com gathered personal stories from six Suns fans making the trip and cheer on their favorite team.

The young Suns proved themselves under the bright lights, stepping up &amp; executing in their playoff debuts

Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson showed consistent effort all season, preparing them for the bright lights. They lived up to the moment in Game 1 and, in some cases, churned out historic stat lines — even during an intense game complete with the magnitude of the franchise’s first playoff game since 2010, a jarring injury to their Hall of Fame point guard and a scuffle that resulted in a teammate being ejected.

A frontrunner for NBA Coach of the Year, Williams’ immense impact on these Suns is woven throughout his motivational catchphrases, and how they resonate with his players.

There are enough “Montyisms” for Monty Williams to write a compilation book — which Devin Booker has publicly and privately suggested to his coach. Even while repeating them to players, Cam Johnson said, Williams will preface by acknowledging some might call them “corny” or “goofy” or “coach speak.” Yet Johnson says those mantras are “big-time anchors” that have kept the Suns emotionally centered during the franchise’s emphatic rise to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They create personal connections with players by instilling belief and relaying constructive advice. They provide reminders that resurface in the head and heart when one least expects it, and can apply to both basketball and life.

Here's how Suns supporters have celebrated this resurgent season and return to the playoffs.

Suns.com gathered personal stories from 13 people connected to the organization. Some are longtime fans, and others are long-time employees in behind-the-scenes roles. Some are community partners who work with the Suns to make residents’ lives a little brighter. Some are natives, and some have returned home.

How these Suns have created a team spirit that threads the needle between intensely competitive and endearingly fun-loving.

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Suns Comeback Falls Short in Game 5 Loss to Bucks

The NBA announced today Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul has been named to the 2020-21 All-NBA Second Team, his 10th career All-NBA selection and ninth time to the First or Second Team.

Paul helped the Suns to a Pacific Division title and the league’s second-best record this season, averaging 16.4 points on 49.9% shooting from the field, 39.5% from three-point range plus a league-leading and career-best 93.4% from the free throw line. He also ranked second in the NBA with a 3.99 assist-to-turnover ratio, third with 8.9 assists per game and 16th with 1.41 steals per game.

While the All-NBA honor recognizes play in the regular season, Paul has continued to excel in the playoffs; he is averaging 15.7 points on 50.9% from the field, 44.4% from three-point range and 91.2% from the line, plus 8.7 assists and a 6.21 assist-to-turnover ratio through 10 postseason games as the Suns have advanced to the Western Conference Finals. Paul averaged 25.5 points (62.7 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 100 FT%) plus 10.3 assists and just 1.3 turnovers in the series victory over Denver in the West Semis. 

With his ninth career selection to the All-NBA First or Second Team, Paul joins Bob Cousy (12), Oscar Robertson (11) and Magic Johnson (10) as the only point guards in NBA history with at least nine career selections to the First or Second Team. Paul becomes just the 24th player in NBA history with at least 10 career All-NBA selections, and only the second active player in double figures along with LeBron James. This is his second straight season being named All-NBA Second Team after earning the honor with Oklahoma City for 2019-20.  

Paul is the first Suns player to be named All-NBA since Goran Dragić was selected to the Third Team in 2013-14 and he is the first Sun to be named to the First or Second Team since Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire were both selected to the All-NBA Second Team in 2009-10. 

Paul received 23 First Team votes in the panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters as he totaled 311 vote points. Suns guard Devin Booker also received votes totaling 21 points, fourth-most of any guard not selected All-NBA. Booker averaged 25.6 points on 48.4% shooting this season; he and Utah’s Donovan Mitchell this season become the only two of 45 players since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976 to average 25-plus points on a team that finished with one of the league’s top two records and not be named to the All-NBA First or Second Team.

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CHRIS PAUL NAMED TO ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM

Suns Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle virtually presented Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges with the 2021 Majerle Hustle Award today.

The award is presented at the end of each regular season to the Suns player who most personified the same hustle, grit and determination that Suns Ring of Honor member Majerle displayed as a player. 

A two-time recipient of the Majerle Hustle Award after winning as a rookie in 2019, Bridges joins P.J. Tucker and Grant Hill as the only Suns to win the award multiple times. In his third NBA season in 2020-21, Bridges recorded career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks per game and field goal and three-point shooting percentages. He became just the fourth qualified player ever to shoot at least 54% from the field and 42% from behind the arc, and did so while playing outstanding defense and displaying the hustle that earned him this recognition.   

Bridges was selected based on the results of the following voting categories: Suns fans, Suns players, Suns employees and Majerle himself with each voting group carrying equal weight in the final selection. 

Josh Jackson (2018)                            

Alan Williams (2017)                         

P.J. Tucker (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013)   

Sebastian Telfair (2012)                      

Jared Dudley (2010)                           

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MIKAL BRIDGES WINS 2021 MAJERLE HUSTLE AWARD

Today, the Phoenix Suns announced the launch of their collaboration with the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) to host the spring 2021 iCR8 Sports Marketing Workshop. A Dallas-based nonprofit, MGP is a national network of diverse professionals that works to identify, expose, mentor and train ethnically diverse men and women in all aspects of the marketing and media industry. MGP was recently named among seven organizations that were awarded grants from the NBA Foundation to drive economic empowerment in Black communities through employment and career advancement.

The four-day workshop will provide diverse aspirants in the field of sports marketing with the exposure and access necessary to further their career interests within the advertising, media &amp; marketing industry. Workshop teams will be briefed on a specific assignment and will be responsible for putting together a 360-degree multi-platform campaign, which will be reviewed by guest panelists on the last day of the workshop.

“The Phoenix Suns are thrilled to team up with the Marcus Graham Project to host such an exciting event,” said Phoenix Suns Charities Executive Director Sarah Krahenbuhl. “Together, the iCR8 Sports Marketing Workshop will provide an impactful experience for aspiring professionals and mentors from around the Valley to grow and advance our industry.”

At the current rate of hiring, retention, and promotion, the advertising, media, and marketing industries will not reflect the rich racial diversity currently found in the U.S. until the year 20791 —a statistic that is as alarming as it is unacceptable and why nonprofit organizations like Marcus Graham Project are critical to investing in and creating opportunities to develop the next generation of Black leaders.

To support Marcus Graham Project in programs that enact change and foster greater equality, the Phoenix Suns will be hosting the spring 2021 edition of the organization's annual iCR8™ Workshop, which provides diverse aspirants in the fields of marketing and media, with the exposure and experience necessary to solidify meaningful careers within the industry. 

One standout participant, from the winning team, will be selected by the Suns organization to attend MGP's iCR8 Summer Boot Camp located in Dallas Texas. In addition, there will be multiple opportunities for participants to network with Suns and partnering brands’ hiring mentors.

Interested applicants should visit MarcusGrahamProject.org/iCR8-Programs for more information and to apply for this spring's iCR8™ Boot Camp sponsored by the Phoenix Suns. Applications will be accepted until March 12 and the four-day workshop is slated to begin on Tuesday, March 23.

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PHOENIX SUNS TEAM UP WITH MARCUS GRAHAM PROJECT TO HOST ICR8 SPORTS MARKETING WORKSHOP

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