Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors, November 30th
Being historic games with a little added flare, these next two contests are in a league of their own. First looking back to the 2021-22 season’s first half, Phoenix hosted the Golden State Warriors with a chance to win their 17th straight game and tie a franchise record.
However, with Golden State being 17-3 at the time, just one game ahead the Suns, a victory for Phoenix would also grant them the Western Conference’s top spot. In looking to accomplish both those goals, Phoenix pulled this one out with some grit and depth.
While the Suns and the Warriors went punch for punch during much of this game, Phoenix lost its heaviest hitter in Devin Booker midway through the game after he pulled a hamstring. Without Book, seemingly everyone counted the Suns out at the half.
Spoiler alert: seemingly everyone was wrong.
With a defensive performance for the ages, specifically on then-MVP favorite Steph Curry, the Suns kept Golden State under wraps during the entire second half, limiting them to just 42 points and forcing 22 turnovers in whole.
A few clutch shots from Chris Paul and Landry Shamet kept the Suns ahead as the clock ticked won, cementing arguably Phoenix’s most impressive win of the entire season. It was a dandy of a coaching performance for Monty Williams, and started the Mikal Bridges DPOY campaign.
Without their best player, the Suns beat the assumed best team in the league and captured the NBA’s top record spot which they still hold today. Doing all that while tying a team record? Woof.