Suns welcomed by fans at Sky Harbor after clinching berth to NBA Finals

Jul 1, 2021, 12:11 AM | Updated: 7:18 am

(Twitter photo/@TaylorKinnerup)

The anticipation was palpable for the Phoenix Suns’ arrival at Sky Harbor Airport following the team’s Game 6 win in the Western Conference Finals in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

Fans were seen lining the streets where the Suns were expected to land to greet their heroes on the tarmac after the Suns’ first berth in the NBA Finals since 1993.

Upon arrival, the Suns players were greeted by a gracious crowd.

DEANDRE AYTON — MAN OF THE PEOPLE HOLDING THE TROPHY pic.twitter.com/XYK1ptSsiy

— Andrew (@AndrewLeezus) July 1, 2021

@DevinBook and @CP3 are home and being welcomed like kings pic.twitter.com/m9eLTh7zuK

— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) July 1, 2021

Just about 20 minutes till the team lands and already plenty of people waiting to greet the team @KTAR923 @AZSports (possible language) pic.twitter.com/14OxxRc8Be

— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) July 1, 2021

Fans are literally stopping traffic now pic.twitter.com/aB76xdCFDp

— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) July 1, 2021

The rally was encouraged by star Devin Booker, who let the Valley know on his Twitter page that the fanfare was expected.

Phoenix the fellas are on the way
Pull up🤙🏽

— Book (@DevinBook) July 1, 2021

Fans are literally stopping traffic now pic.twitter.com/aB76xdCFDp

— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) July 1, 2021

The Suns finally landed shortly after midnight.

Landed. pic.twitter.com/2Ujj5ZZpU4

— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) July 1, 2021

In the spirit of the upcoming Olympic Games, kids were seen killing time waiting for the plane to land by have an impromptu 100-meter dash.

pic.twitter.com/TA5cIJmnjS

— Kat Fisher (@KatFisherFilms) July 1, 2021

The mayhem even prompted the Arizona Department of Transportation to shut down exits to prevent fans from stopping on the shoulder of Interstate 10.

I-10 WB, 24th Street exit: The exit is temporarily closed. (P.S. No parking on the shoulder to catch the @Suns plane landing!!)

Check your route before heading out with the AZ 511 & ADOT Alerts apps: https://t.co/18uQYLoqla

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 1, 2021

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