Matt Mathias

Sports Editor

Mcm5909@psu.edu

The Phoenix Suns have been rolling over the past few weeks. The Suns are off to an amazing start, with their record on the season being 17-3. Not only that, but last year’s NBA Finals runner-ups have knocked off the Eastern Conference leading Brooklyn Nets in their most recent victory. Many NBA fans and analysts have predicted that the Nets will be top competitors for the championship this year, so this streak has been quite impressive.In their victory versus the Nets, the Suns never trailed in the contest and its largest lead was 22 points. Star shooting guard Devin Booker, a former Kentucky Wildcat, dropped 30 in the game while Kevin Durant scored a game high 39 points for the Nets. This was Booker’s third game in a row with 30 points or more.

The Franchise record is a 17-game winning streak that was set in 2006-2007. The Suns of 2021-2022 will look to tie that record when they face off against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, November 30. The Warriors have one of the best records in the league as well at 17-2, so the matchup is expected to be a high-energy, playoff type atmosphere. Both the Warriors and the Suns are miles ahead of other leaders in the Western Conference standings with the next best team being the LA Clippers and LA Lakers at 11-10 and 11-11 respectively. 

Following the game versus the Nets, head coach of the Nets Steve Nash spoke to the success that Phoenix has had. “You’ve got to be a really high-quality team, great balance, a team that has an identity and clarity on the floor,” Nash stated. “This team’s got great balance and depth and options, and is very well-coached.” Nash, a former NBA star point guard himself, actually played for the Suns for many years in his career before becoming a Los Angeles Laker. Nash played a large role in the Suns’ winning streak that took place in 2006-2007 setting the franchise record. If anybody knows about the resilience of the franchise, it would be him.

The start of the season was not particularly impressive for the Suns. They kicked off their season losing three of their first four games with a starting record of 1-3. However, since losing to the Sacramento Kings, they have yet to drop another game. If the Suns proceed in defeating the Warriors Tuesday night, the NBA will have a new team paving the way as the team to beat in the NBA.