Suns

Selections: #13 - Devin Booker. #44 - Andrew Harrison (traded to Memphis for Jon Leuer). Say what you want about Ryan McDonough but there was no one better than ...

A bad move made only slightly less so due to the fact that the Suns didn’t miss out on getting an impactful player with that pick. Late 2nd round pick Alec Peters had that one memorable game against the Mavericks where he scored 36 points so in a way he wasn’t a complete wash, especially considering the position he was drafted at. Since the Suns gave up on him in 2019, he has played sparingly for three other franchises, as well as a stint in the G League when with Memphis. The 2018 draft was also a good one but the fact that the Ayton vs Dončić debate still exists puts a bit of a cloud over that one. The inexcusable drafts are those in which the Suns blew it completely with selections that failed to pan out. I initially intended to go all the way back to the Suns’ very first draft in 1969 but the enormity of that task soon overwhelmed me and I decided to settle on the past 30 years, the years that are freshest in most Suns fans’ memories. Taking Cameron Johnson at 11 in 2019 has also proven to be a great draft move but my appreciation for this draft is somewhat tempered by using the 24th pick to take Ty Jerome. Harrison was out of the NBA in less than three seasons while Leuer proved to be a fairly solid rotation player for the Suns hitting 38.2% of his threes. Today I’m going to go over what I consider to be the best and the worst drafts in the past 30 years of Suns’ history. I’m sure he had his reasons but no matter what they were, it’s quite obvious now that it was a mistake as Haliburton would be a near perfect fit to take over the reins as CP3 inches closer and closer to retirement and he could have been a key player for the Suns over the past two seasons. Some have said it was an obvious mistake as soon as the Suns’ choice was announced but that hasn’t always been the case in other drafts. It seemed a no-brainer to select him when he fell all the way to 10th and was within the Suns’ grasp but...

Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee received praise from Monty Williams and Devin Booker following his game-winning shot against the Dallas Mavericks.

He knows how to play the game and play the right way. "I think that rubs off on you and his ability to bounce back when he gave up that ‘and one’ to tie the game, to be able to come back and the willingness to take that shot, let alone make it, says a lot about who he is. If it does phase him, he knows how to deal with it and he’s been around guys who have walked through those situations before," Monty Williams said of Lee following the game. Big ups to Golden State, they have that culture and that environment. Yet this is a new year, and Lee came through when his team needed him the most. He finished -7 on the night.

Damion Lee hit a difficult jumper over Spencer Dinwiddie with 9.7 seconds left, lifting the Suns to a 107-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday ...

Dallas stretched its lead to 21 in the second before settling for a 62-45 halftime advantage. He was a vital part of the Suns’ bench last season, averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The Mavericks led 67-45 early in the third quarter and 93-80 with eight minutes left, but the Suns kept pushing. The top-seeded Suns had won 64 games during the regular season, which set a franchise record. G Facundo Campazzo was on the inactive list. Suns: G Landry Shamet (left hip strain) and F Jae Crowder (not with team) weren’t available to play. Wood made back-to-back 3s — including one that banked off the glass — to push the Mavs back on top 88-76 early in the fourth. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Cameron Johnson added 15 points, and Mikal Bridges had 13 points and 11 rebounds. "Ball was in my hands, just go make a play," Lee said. But the Suns never stopped playing. "I got double-teamed, so I made the right play," Booker said grinning. We are going to get it right."

Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee met with reporters after the win last night and praised his teammates for their comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks.

It really just goes to show that trust Coach Monty has, the front office has and the rest of the coaching staff has in me. A coach that’s always going to instill that confidence in you." Just understanding and reading the game, he got it going in the second half. I swung it back to Book to make sure he was going to have the last shot. For us it was just a matter of what was the best shot. Both quarters they were in the bonus in the first five minutes, so essentially you’re playing against a set defense.

Suns reserves Cameron Payne and Damion Lee closed Wednesday's season opener against the Mavericks over Chris Paul.

“And when I took him out my plan was to get them back in … “As much as you want to have Chris out there, I know Chris wants to win,” Williams said. I just felt like it was the move to just stay with Cam.

Phoenix players talked all week about how Wednesday's opener against Dallas wasn't about revenge. It was difficult to believe.

“To beat the team that knocked you out (last season), it doesn’t erase that feeling or that hurt, but it does help you grow.” [Golden State](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/team/warriors/). “Be a great support member, whether it’s come off the bench, start, whatever it is for this team and give it my all.” [Spencer Dinwiddie](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/player/spencer-dinwiddie-huzVN9MOnuJR3hwP/) stopped him right outside the lane. [Dallas Mavericks](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/team/mavericks/), a non-factor (minus-14!) on a second unit lacking rhythm. [Jae Crowder](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/player/jae-crowder-0vLcUgtCxJK833Re/), a starter and glue guy from last season. With the shot clock winding down, Lee collected his footing and leapt, shooting a 10-foot fadeaway with 9.7 seconds left. [Damion Lee](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/player/damion-lee-z7v3CbWslBqSP1o7/) had no place to go, stopped on the right side, time running out in a tie game. With 20 seconds left, Phoenix got the ball to Booker, but he was promptly double-teamed and dished to Lee. During a timeout, Williams looked at Lee and simply told him that if the opportunity presented itself, “Go make a play.” [Devin Booker](https://staging2.theathletic.com/nba/player/devin-booker-4wodYWTaBEfNXJjo/) played his usual MVP part, finishing with 28 points and nine assists. They opened the fourth with a 12-2 push that boosted the margin to 15.

The Phoenix Suns and the 10-year NBA veteran have mutually decided to part ways. The only thing left to do is to find the right trade partner. Rumors have ...

When that happens, a Jae Crowder trade involving the Suns forward and Torrey Craig for Duncan Robinson will be a good deal for both sides. To make the deal work, the Suns would have to throw in veteran swingman Torrey Craig and his $5.1 million salary. That’s a lot to give up for Robinson, so the Suns may push for something else, be it a draft pick or maybe Jovic or Strus. Adding Craig isn’t a killer for the Suns, as they signed Josh Okogie this offseason. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry are the core of the team, and all make way too much money to move in a trade for a player making $10 million anyways. That said, there is still a path to get a deal done, so here is the perfect Heat-Suns trade that will get Crowder from the desert to South Beach. The team could use more 3-point shooting on the perimeter to create space for Chris Paul pick-and-rolls and Deandre Ayton on the inside. In fact, only one player in NBA history — Devin Harris in 2008 — has been in a trade with a PPP in their contract. A Heat-Suns trade for Jae Crowder makes a ton of sense. As a pure shooter, Robinson (whose 3-point attempts also dropped last year from 3.5 a game to 2.9 last season) could thrive in a more fast-paced offense. The only thing left to do is to find the right trade partner. Tucker, who left for the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.

Dallas @ Phoenix. What to Know. The Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks will face off at 10 p.m. ET October 19th at Footprint Center to kick off their ...

- Jan 20, 2022 - Phoenix 109 vs. - May 02, 2022 - Phoenix 121 vs. - May 04, 2022 - Phoenix 129 vs. - May 08, 2022 - Dallas 111 vs. - May 10, 2022 - Phoenix 110 vs. - May 12, 2022 - Dallas 113 vs. Phoenix has the odds in their favor, so they'll need to guard against complacency. Regional restrictions may apply.) [NBA picks](https://www.sportsline.com/nba/picks/#ttag=SL19_lk_cbssports_nba_htw) for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. The Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks will face off at 10 p.m. As for the Mavericks, they ranked second in points allowed per game, closing the 2021-2022 season allowing only 104.7 on average. The Suns finished last year at 64-18 and will now try to light the spark for another quality season.

The Dallas Mavericks will take on the Phoenix Suns in their season opener and we're diving into the NBA odds for their matchup.

In his age-36 season last year, Paul averaged 14.7 PPG and led the league in assists (10.8). Paul is one of the best point guards in the history of the sport. He averaged at least 21 points in each of his first four seasons and averaged at least 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in each of the last three years. The Suns went 64-18 and were the Western Conference’s top seed before bowing out to the Mavericks. He led the team in points (28.4), rebounds (9.1), assists (8.7), and steals (1.2). The Dallas Mavericks (0-0) visit the Phoenix Suns (0-0) to kick off the 2022-23 NBA season. After trading away Kristaps Porzingis and losing Jalen Brunson in free agency, the Mavericks are looking for someone to play second fiddle to Luka. In 23 games after being traded to the Mavericks, Dinwiddie averaged 15.8 PPG. They went 52-30 in the regular season en route to the Western Conference’s 4th playoff seed. Phoenix was 51-44 ATS last season (53.7%). However, in their most recent meeting, Dallas won Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals in Phoenix by 33 points. Overall, Dallas was 57-41-2 ATS last season (58.2%).

The Suns were left with a terrible taste in their mouth as their last game was a blowout loss courtesy of Luka and the gang. Devin Booker and company will have ...

I love the prop as I think Spencer has a chance to get this with just his points alone. When looking at the first basket prop its essential to look at who is winning the tip. Booker will have to carry the scoring load for the Suns to remain competitive and he is more than capable of doing that. It is interesting to look at yesterday’s O/U for the Celtics/Sixers and Warriors/Lakers. I will be staying away from the O/U however, if I was to pick one, I would lean over as the trend seems to be that way so far this year with new rules in place. With it being the first game of the year it’s difficult to know how much rust will be there for each team.

The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks have announced their starting lineup for Wednesday's game.

Since the addition of Paul, they have been one of the premier teams in the NBA. Prior to 2020-21, the Suns had missed the NBA Playoffs for ten straight seasons, but after trading for Chris Paul in the summer of 2020, they made the NBA Finals the following season. Last season, they had the best record in the NBA, so they were the first seed in the Western Conference.

Last year, during the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams shared a simple observation that ended up telling the whole ...

The Suns for some reason, even among their own fans, now have the stigma of being “the new Jazz”, a regular season juggernaut that kept falling short in the playoffs. The Suns will need to grind out the season with enough wins to get a playoff spot. No matter what the Suns do in the regular season, one narrative will remain: a first or second-round out. The Suns are predicted, by oddsmakers and random pundits, to be good again this year. the Jazz) I feel like if they lost, I feel like they’d rather win that series than the first game.” Big thanks to the real beat writers Duane Rankin of Their opponents were a lowly Pelicans squad who’d had to win two play-in games just for the right to face the league-leading Suns in round one. “There’s definitely an emotional component to it,” Monty Williams said of tonight’s game, a rematch against the Mavericks. “I’d rather win the series than one game. No matter how hard they tried to shake it off, the Suns appeared to deep-down assume they’d be successful in the playoffs again, at least through the first two rounds. That Suns team feared for their playoff life in every single game of that Finals run.

During the offseason, the Phoenix Suns brought in former San Antonio Spurs big man Jock Landale, a 6-foot-11, 255-pound Australian. With a crowded rotation, ...

“He does a good job of keeping his big in front of him but also dealing with the ball and then being able to go up and distract the shot,” said Williams, who is entering his fourth season as head coach. “For me, I play such a high intensity brand of basketball, and that is what I am going to do,” Landale said. It is a position where, for me, I have the ability to get more open off of screens and work in between cracks.” Coaches have made note of the toughness that defines Landale and other players from Australia. He can immediately impact the game plan with his ability to be a pick-and-pop threat, while also being able to work out of the low post. After his season in Australia, Landale made the leap to the NBA, signing with San Antonio before last season. “But at the same time, (he) gets serious and he wants to win. With the trade, the Suns took a gamble on the versatility of Landale’s offensive game. Last year, Landale was a 26-year-old NBA rookie, but in 2020, he took the National Basketball League in Australia by storm. “He’s super charismatic in the locker room and guys like to be around him,” said McCarron, who vowed to keep his inside jokes with Landale private. He’s hoping it will open up opportunities in the rotation, too. Landale, a native of Melbourne, Australia, has quickly become a Suns fan favorite for his off-the-court banter.

In the first of two roundtables, we asked our Arizona Sports hosts, editors and reporters what the biggest question is about this year's team. Now, we ask them ...

Kevin Zimmerman, ArizonaSports.com editor and co-host of the Empire of the Suns podcast: I am going to hammer it again here: The Suns need men who can dribble the basketball around defenders to help themselves score baskets without the help of their teammates. Chris Paul is still the primary floor general but is getting up there and has visibly worn down the last two postseasons. Tyler Drake, ArizonaSports.com editor: Where the Suns stand right now, this team is closer to a second-round exit than anything else. Ron Wolfley, co-host of Wolf & Luke: I cannot answer the first part of this question because the bench is such a question mark. They have the talent in that core to get to the Western Conference Finals, but I’d be dealing for either some guard help behind Chris Paul, a bonafide sixth man or both. If everyone in the West remains relatively healthy (when does that ever happen?), I don’t think the Suns can win it all, again, as currently constructed. I don’t have them making the conference finals at this moment but let’s see how the team progresses in-season and who stands out in the west. Kellan Olson, Suns reporter and co-host of the Empire of the Suns podcast: I start to believe they will be seriously challenged as early as the first round, and depending on the matchup, I could have it down to a coin flip. So as of now, I won’t go further than second round, but that is subject to change depending on what moves they make. But to win in the playoffs, the Suns will need another high-volume scorer who can consistently create his own opportunities. In the first of two roundtables, we asked our Arizona Sports hosts, editors and reporters what the biggest question is about this year’s team. How deep can this team go in the playoffs as currently constructed?

"Andi Mack" and "Shazam 2" star Asher Angel is slated to sing the national anthem during the Suns' opening night. Here's how he feels about the honor.

He’s shown that he has the chops to nail the national anthem before. “I’m so ready to release it,” he said. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). The conversations continued, and on Oct. Asher Angel, the 20-year-old actor and singer who grew up doing children’s theater around Phoenix and will reprise his role as Billy Batson in “Shazam! [the Phoenix Suns’ season opener against the Dallas Mavericks](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2022/10/14/phoenix-suns-look-get-healthier-going-into-season-opener/10500487002/) on Oct.

With a new season starting for the Phoenix Suns, many downtown a are looking forward to a game-night boost.

A second Fanduel Sportsbook is located inside the Annexus Lounge at the Footprint Center. Elsewhere, at the Fanduel Sportsbook, located at the Footprint Center, fans consistently get turned away during a game because the venue is at capacity. The energy is great, and everyone has a good time." "The Suns season is the best," said bartender Alex Whaley. The store, which sells team shirts and other gear, has been slow during its first two and a half weeks open, but manager Daniel Murillo is excited for what's to come this season. We get a good crowd before the games and after the games.

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- There are new options for fans looking for Phoenix Suns' gear for the 2022 season. The team shop right off Jefferson Street has new ...

The team is hosting a 90′s night and will have arcade games in parts of the Footprint Center, and the team will debut their classic 90′s uniforms. You can check the team shop website The team expects them to arrive sometime during the season. You’ll also find the classic 1992-1993 Suns jerseys on sale in the team shop. They have two unique headwear options that bring the Valley and the Suns together for this collaboration. The team shop right off Jefferson Street has new brands, including some local ones, to highlight Suns shirts, jerseys and more.

The Phoenix Suns stared at a 22-point deficit early in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night. From there, Phoenix went on a 17-3 ...

The third quarter run started with a Cam Johnson 3-pointer with 9:18 left in the quarter. Dallas called timeout, which failed to stop the bleeding. Cam Payne made the go-ahead layup with 3:10 left, while Damion Lee hit a massive 3 to give Phoenix a 104-100 lead. [October 20, 2022]

Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson exited Wednesday's season opener against the Dallas Mavericks with a noticeable limp.

The fourth-year wing left the game with 15 points after hitting a pair of 3s in the third quarter. He returned to the bench to watch the end of the game. Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson exited Wednesday’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks with a noticeable limp.

Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the ...

Dallas stretched its lead to 21 in the second before settling for a 62-45 halftime advantage. The Mavericks led 67-45 early in the third quarter and 93-80 with eight minutes left, but the Suns kept pushing. He was a vital part of the Suns’ bench last season, averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Wood made back-to-back 3s — including one that banked off the glass — to push the Mavs back on top 88-76 early in the fourth. The top-seeded Suns had won 64 games during the regular season, which set a franchise record. G Facundo Campazzo was on the inactive list. Suns: G Landry Shamet (left hip strain) and F Jae Crowder (not with team) weren’t available to play. “It’s the first game, we have a couple of new guys, we still have to work,” Doncic said. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Cameron Johnson added 15 points, and Mikal Bridges had 13 points and 11 rebounds. “Ball was in my hands, just go make a play,” Lee said. We are going to get it right.” “I got double-teamed, so I made the right play,” Booker said grinning.

Phoenix Suns rallied from 21 points down to top the Mavericks in a rematch of last year's Western Conference semifinals Dallas won in seven.

The Suns don’t have that coming off the bench, either. He improved as the game progressed. Cameron Payne got the crowd hyped once and found himself in the game with fellow reserve Damion Lee late in the fourth quarter. Cam Johnson is the better shooter, but he had trouble defending on the drive. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or contact him at 480-787-1240. As for McGee, the Suns don’t have the rim protection when Ayton goes to the bench, as he did in the first half with three fouls. Crowder kept the Suns leveled in many ways with his leadership, but he defended, could hit the 3 and played with a physicality. Then Payne did it again in giving the Suns the lead late in the fourth. Jock Landale scored seven points, but had four fouls and was on the bench in the second half. The Suns played seven guys off the bench and not one really impacted the game. He was the only one who showed up in the first half. Devin Booker played through an injured left ankle in scoring 28 points to lead the Suns, but Lee was the hero in hitting a trio of 3s in the fourth quarter before the game winner.

Suns star Devin Booker caught attention for pulling up to Phoenix's season opener at Footprint Center Wednesday in a pink 1958 Chevy.

Booker has quite the car collection, with classics such as the 1959 Chevy Impala, which he drove to an NBA Finals game in 2021, as well as newer looks like the Ferrari 488 Spider. Suns star Devin Booker caught attention for pulling up to Phoenix’s season opener at Footprint Center Wednesday in a pink 1958 Chevy convertible. Suns’ Devin Booker pulls up to season opener in ’58 Chevy

Wednesday night's comeback win was made sweeter for the Suns because it came against a Mavs team that handed them an embarrassing playoff exit last spring.

Then the game was just going in a good way and Cam was playing well, so I didn't want to take him out. However, Williams decided not to disrupt the rhythm the Suns established with Go make a play,"' said Lee, who is now 2-of-9 on tying or go-ahead field goals in the final minute during his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He received a brief pep talk from Williams in the ensuing timeout. And, of course, the NBA scheduled the Mavs to return to Phoenix for the opener, a made-for-TV rematch of that memorable playoff series. Wood scored 16 consecutive points for the Mavs in a 4-minute, 35-second span that bridged the third and fourth quarters, a run that began after Phoenix pulled within a point. However, it was an unlikely hero who starred for the Suns down the stretch. "We think, not that the game was done, but we just relaxed. "I think any time you win in the NBA, it's cool," Suns coach Monty Williams said. In that sense, this was kind of a characteristic performance for Phoenix. [Phoenix Suns](/nba/team/_/name/phx/phoenix-suns). It's a good start.

The Phoenix Suns were in the middle of what looked like Game 8 against the Dallas Mavericks before an out-of-nowhere comeback to steal a win.

I think we were down 17 at half, 22 in the third and 15 in the fourth. In the middle of this, Suns forward Cam Johnson had been pulled for cramps and sat out the rest of the game. “I mean, I got double teamed so I made the right play,” Booker said of it. He looked OK the rest of the way but that ankle will surely be quite sore. Ayton was, as Williams put it, “amazing” in the second half specifically. But guard Devin Booker checked back in with 8:30 to go and did the superstar thing, leading a comeback through a wonderful two-man game with Deandre Ayton. “I’m always open-minded in those situations and I think as much as you want to have Chris out there. “It was night and day,” guard Damion Lee said of the defense. “It’s infectious,” Lee said of the defense putting together stops. What had been working for Mavericks star Luka Doncic in the first half did not in the second. The Suns have been the butt of every joke since mid-May and will continue to be until they do something about it. “Night and day from the first half.

Open Thread: Suns host Mavericks · Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast - Eastern Conference Preview (And The State of the Bigs).

Game Preview: Suns host Mavericks at scene of crime on Opening Night](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2022/10/19/23410793/game-preview-phoenix-suns-open-season-at-home-against-dallas-mavericks) [Into the Valley: The Season is Here!](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2022/10/19/23412583/into-the-valley-phoenix-suns-podcast-the-season-is-here) Mavs Post Game Pod](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2022/10/19/23412296/suns-jam-session-podcast-suns-vs-mavs-post-game-pod) [For the Phoenix Suns, appropriate fear has returned](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2022/10/19/23412807/phoenix-suns-opening-night-mavericks-appropriate-fear-has-returned) [Solar Panel: Suns Opening Night Vibe Check](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2022/10/19/23412732/solar-panel-phoenix-suns-opening-night-vibe-check) [Let’s GO! Suns make huge second-half comeback, down Mavericks 107-105](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2022/10/19/23413006/game-recap-suns-make-huge-second-half-comeback-down-mavericks-107-105) [Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (1-0) vs.

PHOENIX (AP) — Damion Lee understands the final possession etiqutte in an NBA game, so the Phoenix Suns new role player passed the ball to Devin Booker with ...

Dallas stretched its lead to 21 in the second before settling for a 62-45 halftime advantage. He was a vital part of the Suns’ bench last season, averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The Mavericks led 67-45 early in the third quarter and 93-80 with eight minutes left, but the Suns kept pushing. The top-seeded Suns had won 64 games during the regular season, which set a franchise record. G Facundo Campazzo was on the inactive list. Suns: G Landry Shamet (left hip strain) and F Jae Crowder (not with team) weren’t available to play. Wood made back-to-back 3s — including one that banked off the glass — to push the Mavs back on top 88-76 early in the fourth. “It’s the first game, we have a couple of new guys, we still have to work,” Doncic said. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Cameron Johnson added 15 points, and Mikal Bridges had 13 points and 11 rebounds. But the Suns never stopped playing. “Ball was in my hands, just go make a play,” Lee said. “I got double-teamed, so I made the right play,” Booker said grinning.

PHOENIX – The stars were aligned just right for the Dallas Mavericks. The visitors from North Texas were nursing a Luka seemingly comfortable 22-point lead ...

“It’s the first game,” Doncic said. “The way we played on defense, they scored 45 points in the first half, which was amazing,” Doncic said. “We just didn’t close the game out,” Wood said. “We talked about it at the half that we knew they were going to come, (Devin) Booker was coming, and they did. “I felt like I fit in great,” Wood said. But it’s a good sign that we’re getting to the line.” That’s kind of inexcusable to miss seven free throws.” [On the strength of 20 first-half points from Doncic, the Mavs led 62-45 at the half and built that to 67-45 early in the third quarter. New center Christian Wood was certainly in rhythm from the field as he converted 9-of-15 shots (4-of-7 three-pointers) while embracing his role of coming off the bench. “But we won’t make that as an excuse. The Suns got hot, the Mavs fell apart on both ends of the court and Phoenix found a way to eke out an improbable 107-105 win before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at the Footprint Center. The visitors from North Texas were nursing a

Suns went on a 17-3 scoring run in the third quarter and kept the pressure on Dallas, winning the game 107-105.

The third quarter run started with a Cam Johnson 3-pointer with 9:18 left in the quarter. Dallas called timeout, which failed to stop the bleeding. Cam Payne made the go-ahead layup with 3:10 left, while Damion Lee hit a massive 3 to give Phoenix a 104-100 lead. [October 20, 2022]

Devin Booker — 28 points, 9 assists, 2 turnovers, +20 for the game; Deandre Ayton — 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, +15 for the game; Mikal Bridges — 13 ...

I’ve got whiplash after that one, but it was great to see the Suns overcome a terrible first half to get the season-opening win. Cam Payne layed it in off a Booker assist to put the Suns up 101-100. The pace of play picked up to start the second half, and not long into the third quarter the Suns went on a 7-0 run that cut the lead to 67-52. Dallas returns home to take on the The lead stretched out to double digits again, but once more the Suns battled back. The energy level from the team and the fans was finally there. The Suns started doubling Doncic up high, but it wasn’t especially effective as he was able to pass out of the double teams and create quality scoring chances for his teammates. The home team kept at it, and a nice pullup triple from Cam Johnson cut the lead to only 11. Both Deandre Ayton and Jock Landale were on the bench with foul trouble most of the second quarter. But what the Suns sorely lacked was the same defensive intensity we’ve come to expect from this team for two years. Lee had committed a foul on Doncic the play before, giving them a 3-point play to tie the game. [Phoenix Suns](https://www.brightsideofthesun.com) would come into this one fired up and ready to prove that they are still the class of the Western Conference.