Empire of the Suns

(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
Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers center Tyson Chandler, left,...
Kellan Olson

After 2 big wins, Suns keeping right mindset with Knicks in town

The Phoenix Suns are rolling and have a very beatable team in town on Wednesday. Can a 14-51 team have a trap game?
5 years ago
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) tries to shoot against Phoenix Suns center Deand...
Kellan Olson

Suns bring it defensively to Bucks, Ayton shines again in 2nd straight win

Deandre Ayton was sensational for the Phoenix Suns in their second straight win of the season over the Milwaukee Bucks.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Matt York)...
Kellan Olson

Deandre Ayton has Suns offense run through him, defends LeBron in win

In a game the Phoenix Suns asked for the most out of Deandre Ayton, he delivered one of his best performances of the season.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)...
Kellan Olson

Pelicans flip switch, Suns unable to defend in second half of home loss

Despite the Phoenix Suns having good control over Friday night's game in the first half, they couldn't stop the Pelicans in the second half once New Orleans turned it on.
5 years ago
Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson, left, durin...
Kellan Olson

Josh Jackson apologizes for missing event, addresses Suns’ image

Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson apologized Friday for missing an autograph signing that led to backlash two days prior.
5 years ago
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) shoots the ball against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) dur...
Kevin Zimmerman

More touches necessary? Deandre Ayton is improving without them

Deandre Ayton's rim protecting has improved. Whether he's getting enough touches or not, the Suns appear to have a plan that's all about his development.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) shoots against Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) durin...
Kellan Olson

Suns snap franchise-record 17-game losing streak, take down Heat

The Phoenix Suns caught fire offensively in the second half to beat the Miami Heat and snap a 17-game losing streak.
5 years ago
Cleveland Cavaliers' Collin Sexton, left, drives past Phoenix Suns' Tyler Johnson in the second hal...
Kellan Olson

Suns plagued by defensive issues before concerning end-of-season run

The Phoenix Suns are on the worst losing streak in franchise history with a quarter of the season still left.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard De'Anthony Melton (14) looks to pass the ball to a teammate during the first hal...
Kellan Olson

Suns come back from ‘needed’ break; De’Anthony Melton set to return

The Phoenix Suns said the All-Star break was much-needed and could be getting starting point guard, De'Anthony Melton, back.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and Devin Booker (1) in the first half during an NBA basketb...
Kellan Olson

Rare company: Suns could have NBA’s worst record in back-to-back years

The Phoenix Suns could have the NBA's worst record in back-to-back years. That's only happened twice in the past 25 years.
5 years ago
Duke forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Texas Tech forward Tariq Owens (11) duri...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: Zion’s separation grows

In no surprise, Empire of the Suns' latest NBA Draft Big Board still has a clear gap between Zion Williamson and everyone else.
5 years ago
Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, blocks the pass of Phoenix Suns guard Tyl...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ losing streak reaches 15 games after falling to Clippers in ugly fashion

The Suns might have a few losses at the buzzer but it's mostly been an ugly 15-game losing streak and that continued against the Clippers.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ Ayton has signature post moves, path to offensive dominance in sight

In his rookie year, Deandre Ayton is showing signs of a player who will dominate on the offensive end as he continues to mature.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones does an interview with The Doug &a...
Kevin Zimmerman

The 5: Characteristics of James Jones’ Suns co-interim GM tenure

After the NBA trade deadline, Phoenix Suns co-interim GM James Jones discussed his job status, philosophies and the process ahead.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)...
Kellan Olson

The Suns didn’t panic at the NBA trade deadline — should they have?

The Phoenix Suns seem perfectly content with their current state after saying this is the reason they fired their general manager. Wait, what?
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns' Josh Jackson (20) attempts a layup as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors, right, defend...
Kellan Olson

Josh Jackson’s strong performance not enough for Suns to win on road

It's hard for the Phoenix Suns to get a win when they are short-handed, even when Josh Jackson has one of his best games of the season.
5 years ago
Miami Heat's Tyler Johnson (8) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' Collin Sexton (2) in the second hal...
Kellan Olson

Tyler Johnson’s solid play doesn’t alleviate Suns’ long-term PG questions

Tyler Johnson is a dramatic upgrade for the next-best ball-handler behind Devin Booker but doesn't answer the Suns' long-term point guard questions.
5 years ago
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) scores around Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) during...
Kellan Olson

Harden dominates, Booker’s hamstring tightens up, Suns drop 11th straight

Devin Booker had his right hamstring tighten up while James Harden dominated in the Suns' 11th straight loss.
5 years ago