PHOENIX SUNS
Wins on wins: Arizona sports teams run the table Friday night
Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky (8) and forward Dario Saric (20) celebrate with teammates during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Friday, April 30, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
DJ Khaled described Arizona’s Friday sports scene best: Anotha won. It’s hard to imagine a more productive day around the sports world in the Valley.
The Arizona schedule was absolutely loaded on Friday, as four teams played and another held its draft. The result? Four victories. Zero losses. And a 20-year-old wide receiver with promise.
Around 5:23 p.m., the Arizona Cardinals selected Rondale Moore with the No. 49 pick in the NFL Draft. They were the story of the Valley – for about an hour and a half, at which point the Phoenix Suns tipped off against the leaders of the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz.
That was a battle for about half a quarter. The Suns pulled ahead, led by as many as 25 points in the first half and coasted to a 121-100 victory. With the win, they took first place in the Western Conference and are now tied for the best record in the entire NBA.
Fans may have then switched the TV over to Bally Sports Arizona Plus, where the Arizona Coyotes were facing the Vegas Golden Knights. They arrived just in time to see Christian Fischer put on the finishing touches with an empty net goal as Adin Hill helped the Coyotes post their first shutout against the Golden Knights. Vegas’ 10-game winning streak came to a close with the ‘Yotes 3-0 victory.
Meanwhile, over on Bally Sports Arizona Plus, the Arizona Diamondbacks were shellacking the Colorado Rockies.
Madison Bumgarner had his third good game in a row, allowing one run in five innings. The offense broke out with four runs in the third inning, and Josh Rojas hit a home run in the eighth. They won 7-2.
That’s not all. Phoenix Rising had their season opener, debuted their new stadium at Wild Horse Pass and played on ESPN2. They did not disappoint, winning 4-1 with goals from four different players, three of which came in the second half.
In the end: One night, four wins, one draft pick, zero losses.
Things are looking bright in the Valley.
Suns – W
Coyotes – W
Rising – W
D-backs – W
Cardinals – Get there guy in Round 2 of the #NFLDraftNot a bad day for Arizona sports!
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 1, 2021
