The Phoenix Suns woke up every Christmas morning without any gifts, or games under their trees for over a decade. Despite their rich history as a team mirroring that of the NBA’s collaboration with the holidays, the league refused to let them partake in the fun for 12-straight years.
But with their 411-538 record between the 2009-10 season and last year’s, the NBA’s decision to leave coal in their stockings rather than any opportunities to hit the hardwood honestly makes sense.
During that stretch, the Suns quite frankly looked unwatchable at times, riddled with players who either lacked talent, or “didn’t even want to be there.”
But before that drought, the Suns played 18 games on Christmas Day, including three straight from 2007-2009. Those contests featured Phoenix talents such as Steve Nash, Paul Westphal, and Charles Barkley. They also welcomed entertaining foes like Kobe Bryant, Nate Archibald, David Robinson, and Jerry West.
Across those contests, the Suns own a solid 12-6 record, leaving them tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the fourth highest winning percentage in the league, and the 10th most total wins.
This year though, Phoenix finds themselves back under the NBA spotlight, playing their first Christmas game since that 2009-10 season. They draw the Golden State Warriors as their opposition, and the contest already looks juicy with both teams sitting atop the Western Conference.
But before biting into it, the Suns holiday history deserves one more look. Spending some time with Phoenix’s ghost of Christmas past, these eight moments stand out above the rest.