PHOENIX SUNS

A look back at the Phoenix Suns’ 4-game playoff sweeps in team history

Jun 14, 2021, 6:04 PM

The Phoenix Suns accomplished a feat in the second round of the NBA playoffs that they had only done twice before in franchise history.

With the team’s 125-118 win to seal a 4-0 series victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the Suns notched their third-ever four-game playoff sweep.

Point guard Chris Paul capped off an impressive series with 37 points to go along with seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Devin Booker averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 assists and 7.8 rebounds over 38.4 minutes per game in the four outings.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the team’s other two most dominant showings in franchise history:

Suns sweeps in franchise history

Suns knock off Grizzlies in Round 1 (2005)

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Not only did the 2005 series mark the first ever between Phoenix and the Memphis Grizzlies, it also represented the first playoff appearance of the Seven Seconds or Less Suns team.

Led by point guard Steve Nash and forwards Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, the No. 1 seeded Suns had little trouble taking down the No. 8 seeded Grizzlies.

Phoenix tipped things off with a 114-103 win over Memphis in Game 1 before a 34-point effort from Stoudemire handed the Suns a slim 108-103 victory in Game 2. Nash notched 28 assists over the first two games.

Stoudemire continued his dominance in Game 3, dropping 30 points on the opposition, while Nash dished out eight assists in the 110-90 beatdown. The Suns smelled blood in the water in Game 4, taking a 39-20 first quarter lead before sealing the series with a 123-115 win behind guard Joe Johnson’s 25 points.

Despite the hot start, however, the Suns couldn’t keep things rolling through the Western Conference Finals.

After taking down the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the Round 2, Phoenix was tasked with beating the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs, however, would come out of the battle victorious, taking the 4-1 series on their way to an NBA Finals championship.

Suns get their revenge on the Spurs (2010)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Another layer to the Suns-Spurs rivalry was formed in 2010 when the two squared off in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Phoenix, pegged as the three seed, was coming off a 4-2 series win over the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Spurs took down the Mavericks in six games.

With the Suns 0-3 in series against the Spurs since 2005, Phoenix was hard pressed to make its presence felt in Game 1, taking a 111-102 win over the Spurs. Nash led the way with 33 points and 10 assists.

Game 2 was nearly the same result, with the Suns winning 110-102 behind a 23-point and 11-rebound effort from Stoudemire.

When the series shifted to San Antonio, point guard Goran Dragic took over, dropping 26 points in a 110-96 victory.

The guard erupted late in the team’s comeback victory, scoring 23 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. He shot 10-0f-13 from the field and hit all five of his 3-balls as he turned in one of the best quarters of playoff basketball the franchise had ever seen.

Up 3-0 on their playoff nemesis, the Suns entered Game 4 with a strangle hold on the series.

And it wasn’t ending without some sort of drama.

Up 64-55 in the third quarter, Nash was elbowed hard in the eye by a driving Tim Duncan.

He would get stitches in the locker room before returning to action and closing out San Antonio.

The point guard finished with 20 points, nine assists, four rebounds and a steal over nearly 37 minutes as the Suns knocked off the Spurs 107-101.

Nash was seen sitting alone in full uniform on the bathroom floor crying after the win.

After being on the losing end of their last three series matchups (2005, 2007, 2008), the Suns finally got the upper-hand on the Spurs.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, their playoff run — and the Seven Seconds or Less era — would end against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Phoenix Suns

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after hitting a basket in the first half of Gam...

Associated Press

Anthony Edwards’ dominance continues as T-Wolves take Game 1 from Nuggets

Anthony Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points and the Timberwolves beat the defending NBA champion Nuggets in Game 1.

3 hours ago

NBA players Kevin Durant (L) and Draymond Green attend a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game betwee...

Arizona Sports

Draymond Green ‘baffled’ by James Jones’ claim on Kevin Durant not being maximized

Warriors forward Draymond Green saw Kevin Durant win two Finals MVP awards so it's safe to say he disagreed with James Jones' comments.

1 day ago

Ty Lue, Suns, head coach, candidate, Clippers...

Kevin Zimmerman

Report: Clippers want to retain coach Ty Lue as Lakers, and potentially Suns, have opening

The Los Angeles Lakers and, potentially, the Phoenix Suns would likely be interested in Clippers coach Ty Lue if he were to depart.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Is it too early to call the Phoenix Suns’ Big 3 a failure?

After all the hype surrounding Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal at the beginning of the season, Wolf & Luke debate whether it's too early to consider the Big 3 a failure.

1 day ago

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham...

Associated Press

Lakers fire head coach Darvin Ham despite 2 playoff appearances in 2 years

The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham on Friday after just two seasons in charge that included a playoff appearance each.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant need to show their ‘passion and fury’

With Suns owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones sharing their thoughts on the season, Dan Bickley wants guard Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to voice their opinions as well.

1 day ago

A look back at the Phoenix Suns’ 4-game playoff sweeps in team history