A home game against the Sacramento Kings in the 2006–07 NBA season

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Suns began playing in the NBA as an expansion team in the 1968–69 NBA season. In their inaugural season, the Suns posted a win–loss record of 16–66.[1] They participated in the playoffs only once in their first seven seasons.[2]

In the 1975–76 season, a rookie Alvan Adams helped the team reach its first NBA Finals, which they lost to the Boston Celtics 4–2.[3] Charles Barkley and Steve Nash won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award while playing for the Suns.[4] Barkley led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls.[2] After signing with the Suns in 2004,[5] Nash led the team to three straight division titles,[2] but after reaching the conference finals in 2009–10 the Suns subsequently experienced their worst period of on-court failure, missing the playoffs for ten consecutive seasons until the 2020-21 season (the franchise's previous record playoff drought was five seasons, which happened after the team made the postseason in only their second year of existence during the 1969–70 campaign).

Despite their failures in the 2010s, the Suns franchise has the NBA's eighth-best all-time winning percentage, having won nearly 54% of their contests as of the conclusion of the 2022-23 NBA season. In their first forty-three seasons, the Suns made the playoffs 29 times, posted nineteen seasons with fifty or more wins, appeared nine times in the Western Conference finals, and advanced to the NBA Finals three times in 1976, 1993, and 2021.[2] As a result, based on their all-time winning percentage, the Suns are the 2nd-most successful franchise to never win an NBA championship, behind only the Utah Jazz.[6] The 2021 Finals loss to Miwaukee moved Phoenix past the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz for the most Finals losses without winning a title (Orlando and Utah, as of 2023, have been to 2 NBA Finals apiece but haven't won any of them yet).

Table key

Steve Nash won two MVP awards as a member of the Suns.[4]
ASG MVP All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
COY Coach of the Year
Finish Final position in league or division standings
GB Games behind first-place team in division[a]
Losses Number of regular season losses
EOY Executive of the Year
JWKC J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship
MVP Most Valuable Player
ROY Rookie of the Year
SIX Sixth Man of the Year
SPOR Sportmanship Award
Wins Number of regular season wins
Win% Winning percentage

Seasons

Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022–23 season.

NBA champions Conference champions Division champions Playoff berth
Season League Conference Finish Division Finish Wins Losses Win% GB Playoffs Awards[4] Head Coach
1968–69 NBA — — Western 7th 16 66 .195 39 Johnny Kerr
1969–70 NBA — — Western 4th 39 43 .476 9 Lost Division semifinals (Lakers) 4–3[7] Johnny Kerr
Jerry Colangelo
1970–71 NBA Western 5th Midwest 3rd 48 34 .585 18 Cotton Fitzsimmons
1971–72 NBA Western 5th Midwest 3rd 49 33 .598 14
1972–73 NBA Western 6th Pacific 3rd 38 44 .463 22 Butch van Breda Kolff
Jerry Colangelo
1973–74 NBA Western 8th Pacific 4th 30 52 .366 17 John MacLeod
1974–75 NBA Western 8th Pacific 4th 32 50 .390 16
1975–76 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 3rd 42 40 .512 17 Won conference semifinals (SuperSonics) 4–2
Won conference finals (Warriors) 4–3
Lost NBA Finals (Celtics) 4–2[8]		 Alvan Adams (ROY)
Jerry Colangelo (EOY)
1976–77 NBA Western 10th Pacific 5th 34 48 .415 19
1977–78 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 2nd 49 33 .598 9 Lost First round (Bucks) 2–0[9] Walter Davis (ROY)
1978–79 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 2nd 50 32 .610 2 Won First round (Trail Blazers) 2–1
Won conference semifinals (Kings) 4–1
Lost conference finals (SuperSonics) 4–3[10]
1979–80 NBA Western 4th Pacific 3rd 55 27 .671 5 Won First round (Kings) 2–1
Lost conference semifinals (Lakers) 4–1[11]
1980–81 NBA Western 1st Pacific 1st 57 25 .695 — Lost conference semifinals (Kings) 4–3[12] Jerry Colangelo (EOY)
1981–82 NBA Western 5th Pacific 3rd 46 36 .561 11 Won First round (Nuggets) 2–1
Lost conference semifinals (Lakers) 4–0[13]
1982–83 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 2nd 53 29 .646 5 Lost First round (Nuggets) 2–1[14]
1983–84 NBA Western 6th Pacific 4th 41 41 .500 13 Won First round (Trail Blazers) 3–2
Won conference semifinals (Jazz) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Lakers) 4–2[15]
1984–85 NBA Western 8th Pacific 3rd 36 46 .439 26 Lost First round (Lakers) 3–0[16]
1985–86 NBA Western 9th Pacific 3rd 32 50 .390 30
1986–87 NBA Western 9th Pacific 5th 36 46 .439 29 John MacLeod
Dick Van Arsdale
1987–88 NBA Western 9th Pacific 4th 28 54 .341 34 John Wetzel
1988–89 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 2nd 55 27 .671 2 Won First round (Nuggets) 3–0
Won conference semifinals (Warriors) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Lakers) 4–0[17]		 Eddie Johnson (SIX)
Kevin Johnson (MIP)
Cotton Fitzsimmons (COY)
Jerry Colangelo (EOY)		 Cotton Fitzsimmons
1989–90 NBA Western 5th Pacific 3rd 54 28 .659 9 Won First round (Jazz) 3–2
Won conference semifinals (Lakers) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Trail Blazers) 4–2[18]
1990–91 NBA Western 4th Pacific 3rd 55 27 .671 8 Lost First round (Jazz) 3–1[19] Kevin Johnson (JWKC)
1991–92 NBA Western 4th Pacific 3rd 53 29 .646 4 Won First round (Spurs) 3–0
Lost conference semifinals (Trail Blazers) 4–1[20]
1992–93 NBA Western 1st Pacific 1st 62 20 .756 — Won First round (Lakers) 3–2
Won conference semifinals (Spurs) 4–2
Won conference finals (SuperSonics) 4–3
Lost NBA Finals (Bulls) 4–2[21]		 Charles Barkley (MVP)
Jerry Colangelo (EOY)		 Paul Westphal
1993–94 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 2nd 56 26 .683 7 Won First round (Warriors) 3–0
Lost conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–3[22]
1994–95 NBA Western 2nd Pacific 1st 59 23 .720 — Won First round (Trail Blazers) 3–0
Lost conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–3[23]
1995–96 NBA Western 7th Pacific 4th 41 41 .500 23 Lost First round (Spurs) 3–1[24] Paul Westphal
Cotton Fitzsimmons
1996–97 NBA Western 7th Pacific 4th 40 42 .488 17 Lost First round (SuperSonics) 3–2[25] Cotton Fitzsimmons
Danny Ainge
1997–98 NBA Western 4th Pacific 3rd 56 26 .683 5 Lost First round (Spurs) 3–1[26] Danny Manning (SIX) Danny Ainge
1998–99[b] NBA Western 7th Pacific 3rd 27 23 .540 8 Lost First round (Trail Blazers) 3–0[27]
1999–00 NBA Western 5th Pacific 3rd 53 29 .646 14 Won First round (Spurs) 3–1
Lost conference semifinals (Lakers) 4–1[28]		 Rodney Rogers (SIX) Danny Ainge
Scott Skiles
2000–01 NBA Western 6th Pacific 3rd 51 31 .623 5 Lost First round (Kings) 3–1[29] Scott Skiles
2001–02 NBA Western 10th Pacific 6th 36 46 .439 25 Scott Skiles
Frank Johnson
2002–03 NBA Western 8th Pacific 4th 44 38 .537 15 Lost First round (Spurs) 4–2[30] Amar'e Stoudemire (ROY) Frank Johnson
2003–04 NBA Western 13th Pacific 6th 29 53 .354 27 Frank Johnson
Mike D'Antoni
2004–05 NBA Western 1st Pacific 1st 62 20 .756 — Won First round (Grizzlies) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Mavericks) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Spurs) 4–1[31]		 Steve Nash (MVP)
Mike D'Antoni (COY)
Bryan Colangelo (EOY)		 Mike D'Antoni
2005–06 NBA Western 2nd Pacific 1st 54 28 .659 — Won First round (Lakers) 4–3
Won conference semifinals (Clippers) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Mavericks) 4–2[32]		 Steve Nash (MVP)
Boris Diaw (MIP)
2006–07 NBA Western 2nd Pacific 1st 61 21 .744 — Won First round (Lakers) 4–1
Lost conference semifinals (Spurs) 4–2[33]		 Leandro Barbosa (SIX)
Steve Nash (JWKC)
2007–08 NBA Western 6th Pacific 2nd 55 27 .671 2 Lost First round (Spurs) 4–1[34] Grant Hill (SPOR)
2008–09 NBA Western 9th Pacific 2nd 46 36 .561 19 Shaquille O'Neal[d] (ASG MVP) Terry Porter
Alvin Gentry
2009–10 NBA Western 3rd Pacific 2nd 54 28 .659 3 Won First round (Trail Blazers) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (Spurs) 4–0
Lost conference finals (Lakers) 4–2[35]		 Grant Hill (SPOR) Alvin Gentry
2010–11 NBA Western 10th Pacific 2nd 40 42 .488 17
2011–12[c] NBA Western 10th Pacific 3rd 33 33 .500 17
2012–13 NBA Western 15th Pacific 5th 25 57 .305 32 Alvin Gentry
Lindsey Hunter
2013–14 NBA Western 9th Pacific 3rd 48 34 .585 9 Goran Dragić (MIP) Jeff Hornacek
2014–15 NBA Western 10th Pacific 3rd 39 43 .476 28
2015–16 NBA Western 14th Pacific 4th 23 59 .280 50 Jeff Hornacek
Earl Watson
2016–17 NBA Western 15th Pacific 5th 24 58 .293 43 Earl Watson
2017–18 NBA Western 15th Pacific 5th 21 61 .256 37 Earl Watson
Jay Triano
2018–19 NBA Western 15th Pacific 5th 19 63 .232 38 Igor Kokoškov
2019–20 NBA Western 10th Pacific 3rd 34 39 .466 19 Monty Williams
2020–21 NBA Western 2nd Pacific 1st 51 21 .708 — Won First round (Lakers) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (Nuggets) 4–0
Won conference finals (Clippers) 4–2
Lost NBA Finals (Bucks) 4–2
 James Jones (EOY)
2021–22 NBA Western 1st Pacific 1st 64 18 .780 — Won First round (Pelicans) 4–2
Lost conference semifinals (Mavericks) 4–3		 Monty Williams (COY)
2022–23 NBA Western 4th Pacific 2nd 45 37 .549 3 Won First round (Clippers) 4–1
Lost conference semifinals (Nuggets) 4–2

All-time records

Statistic Wins Losses Win%
Regular season record (1968–present) 2,380 2,063 .536
Postseason record (1968–present) 160 160 .500
All-time regular and post-season record (1968–present) 2,540 2,223 .533

Notes

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ "Stoudemire Shines, Suns Roll". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d "Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  3. ^ "The Sunderella Suns". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "Phoenix Suns Media Guide 2010–11" (Flash). NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. pp. 114–115. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  5. ^ "Nash Signs With Suns". SportsNetwork. KTVU. July 14, 2004. Retrieved May 7, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Hollinger, John. "No. 5: Phoenix Suns". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  7. ^ "1969–70 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  8. ^ "1975–76 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  9. ^ "1977–78 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  10. ^ "1978–79 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  11. ^ "1979–80 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  12. ^ "1980–81 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  13. ^ "1981–82 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  14. ^ "1982–83 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  15. ^ "1983–84 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  16. ^ "1984–85 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  17. ^ "1988–89 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  18. ^ "1989–90 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  19. ^ "1990–91 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  20. ^ "1991–92 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  21. ^ "1992–93 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  22. ^ "1993–94 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  23. ^ "1994–95 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  24. ^ "1995–96 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  25. ^ "1996–97 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  26. ^ "1997–98 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  27. ^ "1998–99 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  28. ^ "1999–00 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  29. ^ "2000–01 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  30. ^ "2002–03 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  31. ^ "2004–05 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  32. ^ "2005–06 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  33. ^ "2006–07 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  34. ^ "2007–08 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  35. ^ "2009–10 Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  36. ^ Donovan, John (February 4, 1999). "Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99". CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 28, 2011.

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