Analysis: It may be time to re-think NBA All-Star voting
It’s reasonable to think Chet Holmgren will be an NBA All-Star one day. But evidently, his rehab has been going extremely well — since four NBA players say he should start next month’s All-Star Game. It's a new record: 330 different NBA players got a vote — either from themselves or their peers — saying they should be an All-Star starter. This all started seven years ago, after almost 800,000 people stuffed the ballot boxes and nearly made Zaza Pachulia an All-Star starter. Only Jokic (58.7%), Antetokounmpo (58.7%) and James (51.5%) appeared on more than half of the All-Star ballots cast by NBA players this year.
wftv.comEarly success means Jazz have some options to consider on trade market
Atlanta approached the Jazz about swapping Collins for Markkanen, sources said, which did not generate any traction. A good player on a hefty long-term contract only carries so much trade interest when it’s perceived to be above market value. Elsewhere in Atlanta, keep an eye on Justin Holiday this trade season, as rookie forward A.J. Detroit has taken early calls on Bey from inquiring teams, sources said, a change in behavior from recent trade windows. The final week of November will be integral in the Lakers’ decision-making ahead of this unofficial trade season.
wftv.comSuns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
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 third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
The Suns' curious handling of Jae Crowder creates more questions than answers
Once opening lineups have been introduced this preseason, you can find the Phoenix Suns' players bunched at their side of the court. The understanding among NBA personnel is that Crowder has since requested a trade from Phoenix, and the Suns have been happy to oblige. During the team’s trade pursuit of Kevin Durant this summer, sources said, Suns officials remained steadfast that Johnson was off limits. Every dollar more will add to Phoenix’s already pricey luxury tax bill, which is surely coloring the Suns’ ongoing trade talks regarding Crowder. And Jordan Clarkson, one of the many veterans thought to be available in Utah, is one dynamic guard the Suns have inquired about landing in exchange for Crowder, sources said.
wftv.comMinus owner Sarver, Suns return for another run at NBA title
One man who apparently won't be along on the journey — team owner Robert Sarver. The Suns met in downtown Phoenix on Monday for media day, less than a week after the embattled Sarver announced his intention to sell the team. Sarver's intention to sell seemed to diffuse tensions on what could have been a very awkward day — and season — for the Suns. There was chatter the Suns wanted to make a move to acquire star Kevin Durant in a trade with the Nets. JAE'S AWAYIt appears starting forward Jae Crowder won't be back with the Suns despite being under contract for this season.
wftv.comJae Crowder, Suns mutually agree to sit out training camp while team finds trade
Jae Crowder won’t play for the Phoenix Suns this season. Crowder will sit out from training camp this week after he and the Suns mutually agreed to find a trading partner for him, the team announced on Sunday afternoon. Crowder averaged 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds last season with the Suns, his second with the team. Crowder will now play for his eighth team in the league next season whenever the Suns find a trading partner, and his fifth team in five seasons. The Suns will kick off training camp on Tuesday, and will open their season against the Mavericks on Oct. 19.
wftv.comSuns say Crowder won't be with team at training camp
Phoenix Suns starting forward Jae Crowder won't be with the team for training camp, which opens on Tuesday. The Suns released a statement on Sunday saying the team and Crowder “mutually agreed that he will not be with the team for training camp.” Crowder's role with the team was uncertain this year with the Suns poised to give other players — including young forward Cam Johnson — more responsibility.
news.yahoo.comAyton, Booker lead top-seeded Suns past Mavericks 121-114
APTOPIX Mavericks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates a score against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game 1 in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoff series Monday, May 2, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Deandre Ayton scored 25 points, Devin Booker added 23 and the top-seeded Phoenix Suns rolled to a 121-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Suns never trailed, jumping to a 9-0 lead in the opening minutes and rarely let off the gas. The Mavericks stayed in the game for a while thanks to Doncic and Kleber, who hit his first four 3-pointers. Suns: Crowder hit a 3-pointer in the second quarter then turned and started celebrating with former Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who was sitting courtside.
wftv.comPaul, Ayton help Booker-less Suns beat Pelicans 114-111
(AP Photo/Michael DeMocker) (Michael Democker)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Chris Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns overcame Devin Booker's absence to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series. Deandre Ayton added 28 points and 17 rebounds to help the top-seeded Suns take a 2-1 series lead. Paul scored 15 of Phoenix’s first 23 points of the final quarter. Backup center center JaVale McGee scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting as the Suns hurt the Pelicans inside. That dustup sparked a 16-5 Phoenix run to close the half, and the Suns led 59-48 at intermission.
wftv.comBooker, Paul deliver at end, Suns hold off Warriors 107-103
Devin Booker’s two free throws with 34.2 seconds left put Phoenix ahead, Draymond Green traveled to turn it over before Chris Paul made a short jumper, and the NBA-best Phoenix Suns held off the Golden State Warriors 107-103 in a furious finish between Western Conference rivals.
Shamet hits key 3-pointer in OT, Suns rally to beat Kings
Suns Kings Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Landry Shamet (14) shoots and scores a three point shot late in overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas) (José Luis Villegas)SACRAMENTO, Calif. — (AP) — Landry Shamet made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in overtime moments after missing an open look beyond the arc and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 127-124 on Sunday. Following a timeout, Shamet hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game to put the Suns ahead by two. Already missing All-Star point guard Chris Paul (broken right thumb) and sixth-man Cam Johnson (right quad contusion), the Suns were with without backup point guard Cam Payne because of a non-COVID-19 illness. Davion Mitchell, starting in place of injured point guard De’Aaron Fox, had 28 points and nine assists for Sacramento.
wftv.comBooker has 23 points in return, Suns roll past Heat 111-90
Suns Heat Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) go after the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier)MIAMI — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 23 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns shook off a slow start to beat the Miami Heat 111-90 on Wednesday night in a matchup of the NBA’s conference leaders. Heat: It was the 21st game Butler has missed this season; Miami is 13-8 without its highest-paid player. The Suns then allowed two points in the next six minutes, a season best for that span. WEIRD POSSESSIONThe Suns missed eight shots — on one possession.
wftv.comSuns hold off 76ers 114-109 for NBA-best 44th victory
Suns 76ers Basketball Philadelphia 76ers' Tobias Harris, right, dunks the ball as Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder, left, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) (Chris Szagola)PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 35 points and Chris Paul had 16 points and 12 assists to lead the Phoenix Suns to their NBA-high 44th win, 114-109 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. The Suns rallied from a 14-point deficit to win for the 14th time in 15 games, raising their record to 44-10. Paul inched the Suns loose from a back-and-forth second half when he made 1 of 2 free throws for a 100-99 lead. 76ers: G Matisse Thybulle started after he missed one game with a sore right shoulder.
wftv.comSuns roll to 11th straight victory, beat Nets 121-111
Nets Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) passes around Brooklyn Nets forward Kessler Edwards (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Phoenix. The Suns (41-9) continued their best start to a season in franchise history and have two double-digit winning streaks this season. Booker scored 14 points after making his first six shots from the field. Among those who missed the game: F Kevin Durant (left knee MCL sprain), F LaMarcus Aldridge (left ankle sprain) and F Joe Harris (left ankle surgery). Guards Landry Shamet (right ankle sprain) and Cameron Payne (right wrist sprain) were out.
wftv.comMiddleton sends Bucks past Suns to tie NBA Finals at 2-2
NBA Finals Suns Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives around Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals in Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Khris Middleton's big finish has the NBA Finals all even. Middleton scored 40 points, including 10 straight for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch to send them past the Phoenix Suns, 109-103 on Wednesday night in Game 4. Middleton's hot hand and a big block from Giannis Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks their second straight victory in the first close game of the series. Devin Booker scored 42 points for the Suns, but his foul trouble cost them a chance to build a big lead in the second half.
wftv.comEXPLAINER: Why was Deandre Ayton's dunk a legal NBA play?
In almost any other situation, what Ayton did would have been a violation — offensive basket interference — and the shot shouldn't have counted. NBA Rule 11, Section I, Subsection f gives part of the answer. Such a play only works with the clock not running, or in NBA parlance, when the ball isn't “live." The NBA confirmed that it would be, and Triano kept the idea stashed in his mind for such a moment. “You cannot goaltend a ball that isn’t going to count.”___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAyton soars for last second alley-oop, Suns beat Clippers
CORRECTION Clippers Suns Basketball CORRECTS TO SECOND HALF INSTEAD OF FIRST HALF - Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, scores over Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. The Suns were down one with 0.9 seconds left when Crowder lofted a high pass on an out-of-bounds play on the baseline. A soaring Ayton came down the lane and stuffed it through the net over L.A.'s Ivica Zubac as the crowd roared in disbelief at Phoenix Suns Arena. George made a layup with 31 seconds left to give the Clippers a 101-100 lead for their first advantage since early in the third quarter. Suns guard Devin Booker responded with a jumper of his own with 27 seconds left.
wftv.comSuns rising at the right time, roar into conference finals
Suns Nuggets Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul congratulates teammates during a timeout in the second half of Game 4 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Jae Crowder received all sorts of quizzical text messages for his decision to sign with the Phoenix Suns in the offseason. “I look like a genius, huh?” cracked Crowder, who took his talents to the Suns after helping Miami reach the NBA Finals last season. “The emotions are happy, grateful, tired, relieved," Williams said of advancing to the conference finals. “The darkest moment of my life Chris was right there and one of the highlights of my career, he's right there.
wftv.comChris Paul has another big night, Suns rout Nuggets 123-98
Nuggets Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Phoenix. Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 13 rebounds for Denver, a day after getting the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. On the next possession, Crowder coaxed Gordon into committing an offensive foul, much to the delight of the 16,529 at Phoenix Suns Arena. Paul pushed the sellout crowd into a frenzy in the fourth, throwing his 15th assist to Torrey Craig after criss-crossing around helpless Denver forward Paul Millsap. Suns: Forward Abdel Nader (right knee arthroscopy) didn't play.
wftv.comBooker scores 47, Suns eliminate champion Lakers, 113-100
Suns Lakers Basketball Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) defends against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first quarter of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Jun 3, 2021, in Los Angeles. Booker and the Suns surged to a 29-point lead in the first half, but the Lakers trimmed it to 10 midway through the fourth quarter. Even with a healthy Davis, the Lakers would have hard-pressed to keep up on Booker's latest evening of brilliance. Booker hit all six of his 3-point attempts and went 8 for 9 overall while the Suns took a 36-14 lead after one quarter. Booker, who scored 30 points in Game 5, got help in the first quarter of Game 6 from three of Crowder's six 3-pointers.
wftv.comCP3, Suns beat Lakers 100-92, even series after Davis hurt
Suns Lakers Basketball Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton dunks during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. Before a last-minute surge, Los Angeles struggled in the absence of starters Davis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who injured his knee in Game 3. Paul, largely a non-factor in Game 3, ignored his injured shoulder and contributed 12 points and all his assists in the second half. ... Los Angeles hasn't won back-to-back home playoff games since 2012. The Lakers hit just four more 3-pointers in the second half, however.
wftv.comDavis done at halftime, Caldwell-Pope out for Lakers in Gm 4
Suns Lakers Basketball Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder defends during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis has been ruled out for the second half of Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns due to a left groin strain. The defending NBA champion Lakers also played Sunday without starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was sidelined by a bruised knee. Davis scored 34 points in each of the Lakers’ back-to-back victories in the series, but he was ineffective in Game 4. He went through a pregame workout before Game 4, but Los Angeles decided to hold him out.
wftv.comLakers celebrate playoff homecoming in 109-95 win over Suns
Suns Lakers Basketball Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Los Angeles. Game 4 is Sunday in Los Angeles. Roughly 7,000 masked fans watched inside Staples Center as the Lakers hosted their first playoff game in their downtown arena since April 28, 2013. But Los Angeles made a 16-6 run out of the break led by James, who increased his aggression and broke down Phoenix's defense. The Lakers' most recent playoff game at Staples was Game 4 of a first-round sweep by San Antonio in 2013.
wftv.comDavis, Lakers bounce back to beat Suns 109-102 in Game 2
PHOENIX — (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 34 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a hard-fought 109-102 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series on Tuesday night. It was a big bounce-back game for the Lakers, and especially Davis, who struggled in Game 1 and took personal responsibility for the team's 99-90 loss on Sunday. His 3-pointer with 2:15 left on Tuesday put Los Angeles up 98-92 and ended a late Suns rally. Los Angeles took a 53-47 advantage into halftime. There was a announced sellout crowd at Phoenix Suns Arena, which was capped at 11,919 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
wftv.comSuns stay in hunt for NBA's top record, beat Knicks 128-105
Knicks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after getting knocked to the floor by New York Knicks center Taj Gibson (67) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, May 7, 2021, in Phoenix. The Suns stunned the Knicks by taking a 90-88 lead into the fourth quarter after scoring four points in less than a second. Mikal Bridges made a corner 3-pointer with 9:38 left to push the Suns ahead 101-93 and a frustrated Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout. It got tense midway through the fourth when Knicks forward Taj Gibson knocked Paul to the ground and was called for a flagrant foul. The Suns and Knicks both came into the game fighting for playoff positioning with less than two weeks left in the regular season.
wftv.com