Empire of the Suns

An injured Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker holds his ankle after turning it during the first half o...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns go down swinging vs. Jazz after Devin Booker sprains ankle

The few remaining threads of optimism that hung to the Phoenix Suns with four games left snapped when Devin Booker twisted his ankle against the Utah Jazz.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1), forward Mikal Bridges (25) and forward Richaun Holmes (21) cel...
Kellan Olson

Booker notches another double-double, Suns snap 6-game losing streak

Devin Booker went for 25 points and 13 assists and Josh Jackson added 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Suns took down Cleveland on April Fools Day.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends during ...
Kellan Olson

Devin Booker unbothered by criticism; Suns not shutting Warren down yet

Devin Booker responded to questions about how he deals with the recent criticism around his recent scoring outbursts.
5 years ago
Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver and Virginia's De'Andre Hunter. (AP photos)...
Kevin Zimmerman

NBA Draft prospects Culver, Hunter still standing in Final Four

Zion Williamson did his thing. R.J. Barrett was volatile. Jarrett Culver and De'Andre Hunter, however, are the top NBA Draft prospects in the Final Four.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past Memphis Grizzlies forward Justin Holiday (7) and De...
Kellan Olson

Devin Booker’s 48-point double-double not enough for undermanned Suns

Devin Booker played at an elite level again on Friday as the story around the Suns continues to be the lack of help for their two-guard.
5 years ago
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 08:  Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball against ...
Kellan Olson

Deandre Ayton wants to grab-and-go, be playmaker for Suns next season

Deandre Ayton wants to be one of the many players 6-foot-8 and up across the league that pushes the ball after grabbing a defensive rebound.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) argues with an official after being called for a technical foul...
Kevin Zimmerman

ESPN: All-NBA voting likely to greatly cost Devin Booker

An All-NBA team berth would greatly increase Devin Booker's salary. That and a T.J. Warren contract tidbit were provided by ESPN's Bobby Marks.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...
Kellan Olson

Devin Booker drops 50 again, Suns come up short against Wizards

It was a night to remember for Devin Booker as he dropped a new career high in points at home. The Suns, however, couldn't secure the win Wednesday night.
5 years ago
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)...
Kellan Olson

All eyes on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s RFA status with Suns after thumb surgery

Something is missing when you watch the Phoenix Suns the past couple of games. A presence, a certain energy, if you will, a.k.a Kelly Oubre Jr.
5 years ago
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 25: Troy Daniels #30 of the Phoenix Suns plays the Denver Nuggets at the...
Kellan Olson

Troy Daniels quietly playing his best ball, improving with Suns

Troy Daniels has been fighting to earn minutes this year for the Phoenix Suns, and when he gets the chance to play, he's showing improvement.
5 years ago
Murray State's Ja Morant (12) looks up at the scoreboard during the first half of a second round me...
Kevin Zimmerman

Warts show for top NBA Draft prospects in 2nd round of tourney

Zion Williamson did his thing, but Ja Morant and Jarrett Culver didn't play as well in their second-round NCAA Tournament games as they did in their first.
5 years ago
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22:  Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scori...
Kellan Olson

Top 10 NBA Draft prospects in NCAA tourney review: First round

Empire of the Suns examines the first round of the NCAA Tournament and recaps how the top NBA Draft prospects performed.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford (11) drives on Orlando Magic guard Jerian Grant during the second...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns’ Jamal Crawford celebrates 39 still enjoying the grind

Jamal Crawford turned 39 years old on Wednesday. He's still enjoying the everyday grind of the NBA and rolling with the Phoenix Suns' baby steps.
5 years ago
Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (24) spins around Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) dur...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns use film, analytics to bolster trust; Bender gives a boost

A loss to the Chicago Bulls had the Phoenix Suns taking in an important film session to bolster defensive coverage changes recently made.
5 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

With core 3 clear, Suns can’t delay major roster decisions any longer

The Suns have the talent to escape the pit they have sat in the past few seasons, but another important offseason approaches with plenty of questions.
5 years ago
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, left, drives past Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, during t...
Kellan Olson

Short-handed Suns missing energy, open looks in home loss to Bulls

While the Suns were missing four rotation players, that didn't excuse a poor level of play in a loss to the Bulls.
5 years ago
New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry reacts to a call during the second half of the team's NBA b...
Kellan Olson

‘Shaqtin’ A Fool’ win over Pelicans gives Suns boost as injuries pile up

The Phoenix Suns picked up a huge win on Saturday in bizarre circumstances, a result that is still difficult to process two days later.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) leaps to catch a pass as Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) and PJ T...
Kellan Olson

With no Tyler Johnson, turnovers plague Suns in loss to Rockets

The Phoenix Suns missed their point guard in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)...
Kellan Olson

Deandre Ayton gives himself ‘F-‘ grade, Jazz’s execution dooms Suns

Deandre Ayton was brutally honest about what he called the worst performance of his career for the Phoenix Suns in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
5 years ago
Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, center, reaches for the ball in front of Phoenix Sun...
Kevin Zimmerman

What’s with the defense? Suns’ recent success stems from a few things

Winners in five of their last seven games, the Phoenix Suns can cite a few things for their defensive turnaround of late.
5 years ago
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes as Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20)...
Kellan Olson

Suns face tough road tests after getting momentum back at home

The Phoenix Suns have some rare momentum heading into a difficult back-to-back on the road.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) celebrates with forward Richaun Holmes (21) during the sec...
Kellan Olson

The 5: What’s working for the Suns during their recent run of winning

Through a couple of key individual performances, including steps forward for Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre, the Suns have won four of five.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks to pass against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second hal...
Kellan Olson

What’s next for Devin Booker’s evolution into a dominant scorer

The next step for Devin Booker is winning but don't gloss over his accomplishments as one of the league's best scorers and what's to come.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Matt York)...
Kellan Olson

Devin Booker calls his number, drops season-high 41 in win over Knicks

Devin Booker told his teammates before Wednesday's win he was going to score a whole lot of points against the Knicks and he did just that.
5 years ago