Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns franchise, known for its orange and purple colors, has been in action since 1968. Some of their most famous fans include Alice Cooper, David Spade, and Jesse Eisenberg.^1,2

The Suns have had some top talent over the years. In the 2024-25 season, Kevin Durant averaged 26.6 points per game, while Devin Booker was not far behind with 25.6. The team has also won three Western Conference titles.^2,3

Phoenix is home to the Suns, and they are based at Mortgage Matchup Center. The WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury also plays here, and it’s a go-to spot for concerts and other live events.⁴

Want to watch a competitive game of basketball? Score your Phoenix Suns tickets at AXS.

In 1968, the Phoenix Suns franchise joined the NBA. They were an expansion team for Arizona, and the name was chosen through a "Name the Team" contest. In total, there were around 28,000 entries, but the name Suns best reflected the warm Arizona climate.⁵

In 1976, the Suns made it to their first NBA Finals but lost against the Boston Celtics. Another key milestone was securing Charles Barkley in the 1990s. This signing helped the team reach the 1993 NBA Finals, but they lost to the Chicago Bulls.

The latest Finals attempt was in 2021, where the Suns were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks.⁶

The Mortgage Matchup Center is the home to both the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury. It’s located downtown and was renovated just before the 2021-22 season. The updated amenities include 450 new screens, 5G Wi-Fi, and upgraded social areas.⁶

It has a large Arena Bowl floor, pavilion, and beer garden. Mortgage Matchup Center can fit up to 18,000 people.⁷ But it’s not just for basketball. This arena has seen some big-name performers such as Maroon 5, Cardi B, and Stevie Nicks.⁸

The Phoenix Suns have had some standout moments over the years. Here are a few of the team highlights:

• Rookie of the Year: In the 1977-78 season, Walter Davis was the Rookie of the Year. It was his 24.2 scoring average that helped secure this award.⁹
• Western Conference Winners: The Phoenix Suns have won the Western Conference 3 times. These titles were in 1976, 1993, and 2021.²
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Multiple players who spent time with the Suns have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. These include Connie Hawkins, Dennis Johnson, Walter Davis, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gus Johnson.¹⁰

Training camps begin in September, and the NBA season starts in October. This runs until April before the NBA Finals in June.¹¹

The Phoenix Suns typically play 82 games in a regular season. Want to catch them live? You can pick up your Phoenix Suns tickets at AXS.¹²

Sources:

1. NBA Finals 2021: The Phoenix Suns' Most Famous Fans - TheWrap
2. Phoenix Suns - NBA, Basketball, History, Notable Players, & Facts - Britannica
3. Leaders - Phoenix Suns
4. Mortgage Matchup Center
5. Phoenix Suns History - Team Origin and Achievements - Sports Team History
6. Mortgage Matchup Center Modernization - HOK
7. Private Events - Mortgage Matchup Center
8. Event Calendar - Mortgage Matchup Center
9. 2024 Hall of Fame: Celebrating the journeys of 4 NBA icons - NBA.com
10. Former Suns Nash, Kidd, Hill, Scott, Welts Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - NBA.com
11. Key dates for 2025-26 NBA season - NBA.com
12. NBA pushing '82-game' mindset to players ahead of regular season - ESPN
13. NBA Team Standings & Stats - NBA.com
14. The 12 Best NBA Playoff Rivalries of All Time - Bleacher Report
15. SBN Reacts: Biggest Rival? It’s always been the Lakers - Bright Side Of The Sun
16. Single Game Tickets - Suns.com
17. PHOENIX SUNS INTRODUCE $2 VALUE MENU AT SUNS GAMES - NBA.com
18. GAME PREVIEW: Round 2 Game 3 - Phoenix Suns