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

Follow @AZSports

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, center, is defended by Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder, left, and Deandre Ayton during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, right, is pressured by Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, left, is defended by Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard sits on the bench during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George defends during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins celebrates after scoring during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, center, screens Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker as Patrick Beverley, left, drives toward the basket during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley reacts to a play during the first half in Game 6 of the the team's NBA basketball Western Conference final against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley, right, gets his shot blocked by Phoenix Suns' Torrey Craig during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann watches during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, below, celebrates as guard Terance Mann stands in the background during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, center, pulls down a rebound during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams reacts to a foul call on his team during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Reggie Jackson, center left, is defended by Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig shoots and misses during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul reacts after being hit in the eye during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, second from right, and forward Marcus Morris Sr. defend during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder celebrates his three-point basket during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley dives in an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve a loose ball during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker dunks during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins asks for a foul call agains the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, left, defends during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley, center, is double-teamed by Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, left, and Torrey Craig during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, top, fouls Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, reaches in on Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul retrieves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers' Terance Mann during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and guard Chris Paul, center, celebrate as head coach Monty Williams looks on as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, second from left, hugs Chris Paul, left, and Jae Crowder, second from right, as Devin Booker stands by as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, center, hoists the trophy as he and his players celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Members of the Phoenix Suns celebrates after winning Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers to take the series 4-2 Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers players watch action in the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 130-103. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, center, hugs Devin Booker, left, as Chris Paul stands by as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George and head coach Tyronn Lue hug in the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 130-103. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, and forward Jae Crowder celebrates as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, hugs Jae Crowder, second from right, while guard Chris Paul celebrates as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, right, hugs Dario Saric after they won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Fans react after the Los Angeles Clippers' 130-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker rubs the Western Conference trophy after they won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley takes off his jersey after being ejected from Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, embraces Chris Paul as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams hugs Chris Paul as they celebrate in the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Sun won 130-103. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, hugs Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard after the Suns won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul hoists the trophy as he and his teammates celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, hugs actor Billy Crystal, center, as Crystal's wife Janice stands by after the Suns won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, celebrates with forward Mikal Bridges after the Suns won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, left, grabs a rebound away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Serge Ibaka, center hugs guard Paul George, left, as forward Kawhi Leonard looks on as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, goes after a loose ball along with Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker talks to fans as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, center, and center Deandre Ayton defend during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley leaves the arena after he was ejected from the game during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker, left, celebrates with Suns owner Robert Sarver, center, as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul celebrates toward fans as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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