Phoenix Suns Set Franchise Record with 63rd win over LA Lakers

The Phoenix Suns have been a staple of excellence all season long. They’ve been the most consistent team, winning even with their stars sometimes injured or ill.

The only time this squad appeared to be “off its game” was at the season’s commencement, when Phoenix sputtered out of the gates with a 1-3 record. That was, until earlier this week, when the Suns dropped consecutive games to the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder.

But while back on their home floor tonight, and with LeBron James sitting out, the Suns would not allow history be denied from them any longer.

Phoenix Suns Defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, Breaking their Season Win Record

The Suns entered tonight’s bout naturally looking a bit dysfunctional following their two straight losses.  Said games originally looked like easy dubs for the good guys, but were far from it.

The Grizzlies took the floor without their star in Ja Morant, but pulled out a win nonetheless by a 122-114 final score. A few days later, an incredibly young Thunder team blitzed Phoenix from outside with a barrage of triples, pulling off a 117-96 upset.

Needing to win only one more game to break their franchise’s win record, Phoenix fans, and likely the players, both grew hungrier for that coveted dub as the days passed. So when the Los Angeles Lakers strolled into town tonight, everyone was chomping at the bit.

With the Suns having struggled to take down the Grizzlies and Thunder beforehand though, many did not know what to expect before tonight’s contest. But after some early back-and-forth action, any worry that win No. 63 might not arrive on time vanished with ease, as the Suns marched onto a 121-110 victory.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, shooting 6-9 from downtown. Deandre Ayton chipped in with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Paul added six points and 12 assists. The Suns officially wrapped up that 63rd victory, eclipsing the team’s previous record of 62 wins held by the 1992-93 Suns and the 2004-05 Suns.

Three games still stand between Phoenix and the postseason, leaving them with more room to improve that record if they please. Doing so promises to be a fun task this week, with all that record-based pressure now gone and every game as valuable as a scrimmage from here on out.

Regardless though, Phoenix’s main objective lies further down the line, painted in gold and bearing the name “Larry O’Brien.” But for now, fans would be wise to enjoy this moment. If anything, it cements this year as one of Phoenix’s finest, and allows the team to build even more momentum as they prepare to go after that ultimate goal of winning a championship.