PHOENIX FACTS:
The Phoenix Suns tip-off their 52nd preseason by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
The contest will be the Suns coaching debut of Head Coach Monty Williams – and it comes on the day Williams celebrates his 48th birthday.
Ricky Rubio plays his first game in a Suns uniform against the team he played for from 2011-2017. He ranks first in Timberwolves franchise history in assists per game (8.5) and steals per game (2.12).
The Suns hold a 225-163 (.580) record all-time in preseason contests.
The Suns’ four-game preseason schedule marks their fewest preseason games in franchise history, excluding the two lockout-shortened seasons (1998-99, 2011-12) during which the team played just two preseason contests in each.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
HEAD COACH MONTY WILLIAMS: “If you put them in a good culture and a good atmosphere, I think you give guys a chance to be the best version of themselves.”
RICKY RUBIO: “We have a lot of talent. Now, we have to put it all together. Try to go all together to the same goal. It takes time. There’s a lot of new guys, new coaching staff too. So a lot of people got to adapt to each other and we’ve just got to bring our best to achieve what we want to achieve.”
KELLY OUBRE JR.: “Coach has done a good job teaching his system, teaching key points he wants us to follow. I just want everybody to be on the same page, so that once we go to war for real, we’re going to start that first game and take it all the way to where we belong at the end of the season. We’ve just got to continue to get better every day.”
DEANDRE AYTON: “This summer I’ve never worked so hard in the gym in my life. I’ve seen these lines so many times, I see them in my regular life now. They beat me to the ground this summer. With Coach Bryant, Coach Monty and all the other coaches just surrounding me when nobody was in the gym. I was in there by myself with ten other coaches.”
JALEN LECQUE: “Training Camp was just a great opportunity to get better, especially for me learning from guys like Devin and Kelly, just always in my ear. Coach Monty always in my ear about the littlest things so I can just put it into the game and put it into game-like situations.”
HOW TO WATCH:
Suns vs Timberwolves will be streaming live on Suns.com/Now. Be sure to tune-in at 7PM for tip-off.
PHOENIX SUNS LAUNCH NEW PHOENIX SUNS + TALKING STICK RESORT ARENA MOBILE APP:
The Phoenix Suns announced today the launch of the new Phoenix Suns + Talking Stick Resort Arena Mobile App, sponsored by Verizon, which will enhance the guest experience and serve as the one-stop hub for fans to access their mobile tickets to events at Talking Stick Resort Arena, including Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers games, plus select concerts and events. The new app is now available at the App Store and Google Play or by updating your existing Suns Mobile App.
The Suns + Talking Stick Resort Arena App features the launch of the Wallet functionality, which allows fans to purchase concessions and merchandise using PayPal, Venmo, or any major credit cards directly from their smartphone through the app. Fast Lanes at the Suns Team Shop and concession stands located near sections 116/117 and 123/124 and will allow fans utilizing the Wallet to skip the line and not miss a minute of the action. PayPal SixthMan Members will also be able to manage their Arena Cash within the Wallet, including making transfers to other guests, viewing their balance and tracking their purchase history. And just like how your real-world wallet doesn’t only include payment options, all rewards, prizes and in-arena promotions can be accessed and redeemed in the app through the Wallet.
Tickets for Suns games will be accessible exclusively on smartphones through the Suns + Talking Stick Resort Arena App beginning with the 2019-20 NBA season, including tonight’s home preseason matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. A dedicated team of “App Advisors” will be onsite to assist fans with mobile ticketing or any digital support needs.