Valley of the Suns
Fansided

A brief history of the Phoenix Suns on Mother’s Day

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX - MAY 12: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a layup against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2000 NBA Playoffs at America West Arena on May 12, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 105-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - MAY 12: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a layup against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2000 NBA Playoffs at America West Arena on May 12, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 105-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In order for an NBA team to play on Mother’s Day, they have to make the playoffs, and usually a deep run. This is a brief history of the Phoenix Suns on Mother’s Day.

Phoenix Suns fans are dying for their beloved team to make another run in the playoffs, hopefully all the way to a championship. This past eight seasons without having reached the postseason being the longest stretch of non-participation in franchise history, meaning that they haven’t had a chance to play on Mother’s Day for some time, a date that the franchise usually fares quite well on.

Fortunately in their history the Suns have reached the playoffs a number of times (29 times, in fact) and have had the opportunity to play on Mother’s Day nine times.

OAKLAND, CA – CIRCA 1976: Rick Barry #24 of the Golden State Warriors gets his shot over the out stretched arm of Curtis Perry #18 of the Phoenix Suns during an NBA basketball game circa 1976 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Barry played for the Warriors from 1972 – 77. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – CIRCA 1976: Rick Barry #24 of the Golden State Warriors gets his shot over the out stretched arm of Curtis Perry #18 of the Phoenix Suns during an NBA basketball game circa 1976 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Barry played for the Warriors from 1972 – 77. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns 133 – Golden State Warriors 129 (2OT)

(1-0)

The Phoenix Suns’ first ever Mother’s Day game dates back to their second ever playoff appearance, and first ever run to the NBA Finals. Down 1-2 in the Western Conference Finals series against the reining champion Golden State Warriors, it took a miraculous 25-foot shot (still a 2-pointer in those days) from Keith Erickson with two seconds left to force overtime then a missed shot at the buzzer of the first OT by Rick Berry to force a second. The Suns pulled out the hard-fought and exhausting victory at home, tying the series up. Golden State would win game five but would not win again, as the Suns won the final two games of the series to clinch the Conference championship, and their destiny with Boston.

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