:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69280241/usa_today_15971069.0.jpg)
The Phoenix Suns are more than likely going to finish with the number two seed in the West, and it’s been one hell of a journey to get to this point. The playoffs are set to begin shortly, so it seems like an appropriate time to take a step back and admire the highs of this season.
It’s difficult to rank games like this because a lot of these are in the same tier for me so the best way to separate them was by tying in the importance of each opponent/scenario while factoring in health and meaning for each side.
We’ll start at number five and work our way down to number one. Time to relive some fun.
#5: Comeback win over Knicks in Madison Square Garden (4/26/21)
Brief recap: The Knicks were in control for most of the night— leading by as many as 15— but a late-game push propelled Phoenix to the victory. Chris Paul hit some absolutely bonkers shots to close the game out that will be very hard to forget.
Notable stats:
- Chris Paul — 20 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 8/12 FG.
- Devin Booker — 33 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 14/26 FG.
- Mikal Bridges — 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 8/12 FG.
#4: Suns top Clippers on ESPN, clinch playoff spot (4/28/21)
Brief recap: No, Kawhi didn’t play in this game. Yes, the Suns still got all they could handle from Paul George and company. The main appeal to this game on the list is the feeling of finally clinching that playoff spot on National TV. It felt like the stars were aligning.
Notable stats:
- Chris Paul — 28 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 10/15 FG.
- Devin Booker — 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists.
#3: Booker torches Simmons, Suns beat 76ers (2/13/21)
Brief recap: The 76ers and Suns met with each team at full strength days after Ben Simmons said he was the best defensive player in the NBA. Devin Booker’s response? 36 points on 23 shots in a 9 point Phoenix victory. This was a sign of things to come in the Suns’ young(ish) season.
Notable stats:
- Devin Booker — 36 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 14/23 FG.
- Chris Paul — 18 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 8/13 FG.
#2: Comeback win vs. Milwaukee Bucks (2/10/21)
Brief recap: Phoenix trailed by 12 at halftime against Torrey Craig’s Bucks (at the time), but held strong and came back for an impressive grind-it-out win that came down to the last shot. The main reason this made it so high on the list is due to this feeling like THE moment that Chris Paul and Devin Booker clicked.
Notable stats:
- Devin Booker — 30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 11/21 FG.
- Chris Paul — 28 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 10/20 FG.
#1: Overtime win vs. Utah Jazz on ESPN (4/7/21)
Brief recap: This was the statement game of the year for Phoenix. They held their own against the top seed in the West on National TV (ESPN). Both teams were at full strength and there were no excuses to be made. It was a dogfight with a playoff-like atmosphere from the Phoenix crowd.
Notable stats:
- Chris Paul — 29 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 12/24 FG.
- Devin Booker — 35 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 9/10 FT.
- Deandre Ayton — 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 9/16 FG.
Honorable Mentions
- The overtime win over Milwaukee on 4/19 on the road. This was the toughest one to exclude, as I wanted to lump it into the top 5 but didn’t want to include two Bucks games. Certainly top five worthy.
- Devin Booker’s game-winner against Dallas on February 1st.
- Pacers win led by 34 points from Mikal Bridges on January 9th.
Suns fans — which games do you think were snubbed from this list? It felt wrong to exclude a few of them, but that’s a good problem to have when there are too many great games to choose from in a single season.