PHOENIX SUNS

The Five: Why the Phoenix Suns reached win No. 25 a bit sooner this year than last

Jan 27, 2014, 4:52 PM | Updated: 4:52 pm

Last season, it took the Phoenix Suns 81 games to earn victory number 25.

They only needed 43 games to reach that mark this season.

Going into the season, the Vegas odds had the Suns winning fewer than 20 games total, so it’s understandable that they are considered to be the biggest surprise in the entire NBA. But why are the 2013-14 Suns so much better than the 2012-13 version?

Here are five reasons the Suns have gone from a team with the league’s fourth-worst record to one with its ninth-best.

D’ing up

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant...

Alex Weiner

Suns’ Kevin Durant to return on Tuesday, Bradley Beal remains out

Kevin Durant will return to the Phoenix Suns' lineup on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies after a three-game absence.

14 hours ago

Kevin Durant, Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ Kevin Durant understands ‘microscope’ will be on him for deadline fallout

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant addressed the reports that the Phoenix Suns attempted to trade him before the trade deadline.

15 hours ago

ESPN's Brian Windhorst has the Suns as one of the five teams facing the most pressure post-NBA trad...

Tyler Drake

Windhorst: Suns among teams facing the most pressure post-NBA trade deadline

The Phoenix Suns are among a handful of teams facing an added amount of pressure following last week's NBA trade deadline.

23 hours ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns hit wall offensively in loss to Nuggets

It was a steep uphill climb for the shorthanded Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back.

2 days ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Bol Bol throws wild behind-the-back pass, sets up Damion Lee 3-pointer

Bol Bol took advantage of early minutes against the Nuggets by throwing a wild behind-the-back pass for an assist and following it up with a dunk.

3 days ago

Tom Izzo...

Associated Press

Tom Izzo ties Bob Knight’s Big Ten record with Mat Ishbia on hand for championship reunion

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight's Big Ten record for wins with Suns owner Mat Ishbia among the former champions attending for their team reunion.

3 days ago

The Five: Why the Phoenix Suns reached win No. 25 a bit sooner this year than last