Phoenix Suns notes: Training camp, Free Scrimmage, preseason slate all come earlier this year

Thanks to an expanded NBA schedule starting a week earlier than in previous years, the Phoenix Suns will kick off their 50th season just 31 days from now.

That’s right. After a long, hot summer, you only have to wait 31 more days till there’s some actual news and notes coming out of the locker rooms and practice courts!

Sorry Earl. Better warm up your vocal chords and loosen those smile muscles. Daily media briefings begin on September 25 (Media Day) and don’t end until at least 5 1/2 months and 88 games later.

Training camp this year runs from Tuesday, September 26 to Friday, September 29, culminating in the annual free scrimmage open to the public. Camp will be held once again in Flagstaff.

This year, the free scrimmage will take place at the Prescott Valley Event Center - a bit shorter commute for starving Suns fans to see #TheTimeline in action for the first time this new season.

The event will have open seating on a first-come, first-served basis and feature a post-game autograph session. Fans that RSVP for the event on Suns.com are entered to win several prizes at the Open Scrimmage, including autographed merchandise and tickets to the Coca-Cola & Fry’s Food Stores Home Opener on Oct. 18.

The Prescott Valley Event Center is the home of the Northern Arizona Suns, who likely will get to enjoy the services of second round pick Alec Peters, free agent wing shooter Peter Jok and a few other training camp invitees still to be announced.

It’s only slightly humorous that the Suns actual big-league roster is likely to run younger than their G-League affiliate. Peters (22) and Jok (23) are both older than nearly half the Suns rotation players.

The Suns 5-game preseason schedule runs from October 3 - 13, and then the regular season kicks off on October 18 with a home game against the Portland Trailblazers.

Rejoice!

The season is fast approaching!