PHOENIX SUNS

Devin Booker gives Al McCoy signed jersey after Suns set franchise record

Apr 5, 2022, 10:24 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2022, 8:39 am

The 2021-22 Phoenix Suns are officially the greatest regular-season team in franchise history.

With a 121-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Footprint Center, the Suns set a new franchise record with 63 wins in a single campaign.

And after clinching win No. 63 while simultaneously eliminating the Lakers from playoff contention, Phoenix’s No. 1 paid his respects to Suns legend and radio voice Al McCoy.

In addition to his written message on the jersey, Booker had a verbal one for McCoy: “50th season baby, franchise record. Love you, man. Appreciate you for real.”

McCoy kept the written message from Booker to himself but spoke on the moment shared with the franchise star when he joined Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Wednesday.

“It’s kind of personal but it’s a moment I will never forget,” McCoy said. “He’s such a terrific guy.

“We talk about him as a special player but we don’t want to forget about a special person that Devin Booker is: What he does for the community, what he does for the unfortunate, for children, and for him to do that last night for me, to give me his jersey with the record-breaking win, it’s just a moment I’ll never forget, no question about it.”

Booker finished with a game-high 32 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.

The Suns already clinched homecourt advantage throughout the NBA playoffs with the league’s best regular-season record.

And now at 63-16, this Phoenix team stands alone atop the mountain of the greatest regular-season squads in Valley history.

Two previous Suns squads have finished 62-20, with the first coming in the 1992-93 season behind MVP Charles Barkley followed by the 2004-05 campaign that saw Steve Nash take home his first of back-to-back MVPs.

So with only three games left until the start of the playoffs, will Booker be able to follow in the footsteps of Barkley and Nash and win his first MVP award?

Or will he be able to do what no Sun has ever been able to do in Phoenix and bring home the Larry O’Brien Trophy to the Valley?

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.

14 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days ago

Devin Booker gives Al McCoy signed jersey after Suns set franchise record