Top 8 Phoenix Suns Moments from Christmas Day Games
Phoenix Suns Top Christmas Day Moments
You might not remember some of these moments, as they fall outside this list’s upper echelon. But regardless, they still represent the Suns exceptionally well, doing so even across three separate decades.
No. 8 – Suns finish big to keep winning streak alive vs Lakers, 1976
After this season’s first few weeks, fans should know more than ever how powerful a winning stretch can be. Visiting the Los Angeles Lakers in 1976, the Suns had won seven straight games on Christmas, putting their own streak at risk.
The Lakers challenged Phoenix early on, leading by double digits at the half and then by a 70-73 score entering the final period. But to close things out, the Suns took it to another level against their longtime rivals.
Fueled by a 25-point effort by Paul Westphal, the Suns poured out 43 points during the fourth quarter. They pulled away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and company, beating them 113-96 and extending their Christmas streak to eight straight wins.
No. 7 – Steve Nash connects on full court dime vs Lakers, 2007
Facing the Lakers again on Christmas, the Suns ended up falling this time around, with Kobe Bryant dropping 38 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds.
But to start the game off, Steve Nash was in the giving spirit. Around the first quarter’s 10-minute mark, he connected on a gorgeous bounce-pass that cut through traffic and flew almost the entire court’s length. The ball went straight into Raja Bell’s hands, leading him into a handoff for a Grant Hill dunk.
It was just another display of Nash’s legendary court vision and finesse which Suns fans felt accustomed to seeing at the time. But on Christmas, he looked like Buddy the Elf nailing that last bully with a snowball from distance.
No. 6 – Suns get their first win on Christmas and vs Celtics, 1969
A year before this matchup, Phoenix fell to the Lakers during this first holiday game. But with a second chance the following year, the Suns not only earned their first ever win on Christmas, but also their first ever win against the Boston Celtics.
Every Phoenix starter reached double figures in the scoring department, as the Suns coasted to a win against the then-defending champions. The win more or less put them on the map as a franchise, and ignited the team’s formerly mentioned Christmas Day win streak.