Phoenix Suns‍ Playoff History

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team that has been part of the NBA since 1968. The Suns have a rich history that includes some of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood. Charles Barkley, Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal have all donned the iconic Suns jersey at some point in their illustrious careers.

In the early years of the franchise, the Suns struggled to find their footing, often mired in mediocrity. However, their fortunes took a turn for the better in the 1970s when they partnered with talented players like Dick Van Arsdale, Alvan Adams and Paul Westphal.

Today, under the ownership of Mathew Randall Ishbia, the Phoenix Suns boast a formidable lineup led by superstars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkić, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen.

How many times has the Phoenix Suns made the playoffs?

The Phoenix Suns have made it to the playoffs 32 times in their franchise history as of March 2024. Despite their limited playoff appearances, the Suns had a remarkable stretch of success from 1988 to 2000, where they reached the playoffs in each of those seasons.

During this highly successful era, the Suns boasted a formidable roster featuring stars like Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Dan Majerle and Charles Barkley. Although they reached only one NBA Finals during this time, the Suns were formidable contenders in the Western Conference, advancing deep into the playoffs on multiple occasions.

However, after the 2009 season, the team struggled and endured a prolonged period of struggle, missing the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons between 2009 and 2019. Finally, in 2020, the team regained their form and has been reaching the playoffs regularly for the past few seasons, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2021.

Phoenix Suns Playoff Record

The Phoenix Suns have a playoff record of 160-160 through their franchise history. Their most successful playoff run came in the 2020-21 season when they reached the NBA Finals, losing just four games in the playoffs. However, they lost the Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Suns had an exceptional run during the Kevin Johnson/Tom Chambers/Dan Majerle era and the Charles Barkley era. During this period, they made it to the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons. The team was exceptional during this time, reaching six Western Conference Finals and one NBA Finals.

While their overall playoff record is an even split, the Suns have had several notable playoff runs throughout their history. Their ability to consistently make deep playoff pushes, especially during the late 80s and 90s, showcased their talent and competitiveness on the big stage.

Number of Conference Championships Won by Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have won three Western Conference titles in their franchise history. Despite not winning a NBA Finals, the team has made it to the Conference Finals on 10 occasions.

Their most recent Western Conference championship came in 2021 when the dynamic duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker led the Suns to the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. This run reignited hopes for Suns fans as the team came agonizingly close to championship glory.

Prior to that, the Suns claimed Western Conference titles in 1976 and 1993. The 1992 Conference Finals against the Seattle SuperSonics was a closely contested series, with the Suns emerging victorious 4-3.

Number of NBA Championships Won by Phoenix Suns

Despite their long history and numerous deep playoff runs, the Phoenix Suns have yet to capture their first NBA championship title. However, they came close on three occasions.

The Suns' first appearance in the NBA Finals came in 1976 against the formidable Boston Celtics. After splitting the first four games, the Suns fell short, losing Games 5 and 6 consecutively, missing out on the coveted trophy.

In the 1992-93 season, the Suns found themselves facing off against the legendary Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan. Despite their valiant efforts, they ultimately fell 4-2 in the series.

Most recently, in 2021, the Suns had a golden opportunity, taking a 2-0 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. However, their dreams were dashed as the Bucks, spearheaded by the unstoppable Giannis Antetokounmpo, rallied back to win the next four games and claim the championship.

While the elusive NBA title has remained out of reach, the Suns' consistent competitiveness and multiple deep playoff runs have solidified their status as a formidable force in the league.

Phoenix Suns Last Playoff Appearance

The Phoenix Suns made their most recent playoff appearance in the 2022-23 season, marking their third consecutive trip to the postseason. The run was then led by 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant who joined the Suns via a blockbuster four-team trade.

The dynamic duo of Booker and Durant led the Suns to an impressive first-round win against the Los Angeles Clippers. After losing the opening game, the Suns won the next four games, making it 4-1 series win.

In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Suns faced off against the formidable Denver Nuggets, led by superstar Nikola Jokic. While the series was evenly poised at 2-2 after the first four games, the Suns ultimately fell short, losing Games 5 and 6 to the eventual champions.

Despite the disappointing end to their season, the Suns playoff appearance showed their potential. With the star power of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the Suns are well positioned to make another deep playoff run.

What is the biggest playoff series comeback in the Phoenix Suns history?

The biggest playoff series comeback in the Phoenix Suns' history took place during the 2005-06 postseason against the Los Angeles Lakers. After winning the opening game at home, the Suns found themselves trailing 3-1 in the series, facing elimination.

However, the team refused to give up and rallied together, winning three consecutive games to complete an improbable comeback. A pivotal moment occurred in Game 5 when Suns guard Raja Bell was ejected for an altercation with Kobe Bryant.

Despite the drama, the Suns persevered, capturing Game 6 in overtime. This remarkable turnaround against the Lakers propelled the Suns into the next round, where they faced the Los Angeles Clippers.

Although the Suns' playoff run ultimately ended in the Conference Finals with a 4-2 series loss to the Dallas Mavericks, their epic comeback against the Lakers solidified their resilience and determination, etching their names in the franchise's history books.