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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PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 5: James Worthy #42 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns during Game 5 of the 1st round of playoffs on May 5, 1993 at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 5: James Worthy #42 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns during Game 5 of the 1st round of playoffs on May 5, 1993 at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns 112 – Los Angeles Lakers 104 (OT)

(3-1)

The next time the Suns played on Mother’s Day was also against the Lakers, this time in 1993, Charles Barkley’s first season in Phoenix. Game five (if necessary) had been scheduled for Mother’s Day that season, although after the Suns swept through the Lakers 5-0 during the regular season, nobody believed that they would have needed five games to get by the Lakers in the first round. But alas, they did. After losing the series’ first two games and facing elimination after just one more loss, Paul Westphal made his famous prediction. The series would need five games for the Suns to pull it out, and in game five, it would take overtime. Blowing a lead late, the Suns needed every clutch shot they could muster just to reach overtime – as well as a brick 3-pointer at the buzzer by Byron Scott. However once in OT, rookie Oliver Miller (who finished with 7 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots) took over and put the team on his back. Phoenix outscored the Lakers 17-9 in the extra five minute period, clinching the series, and helping the franchise move along to it’s second ever NBA Finals trip.

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