Christmas Day is always a special time for the NBA, with star-studded matchups yearly. The Phoenix Suns will be involved once more, as they take on the Denver Nuggets. It will be the fourth year in a row in which the Suns will be playing on the 25th, and they will be taking on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Historically, they have a 12-9 record all-time on Christmas Day, but they will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
Suns Last 5 Christmas Day Games
2023: Suns 114-128 Mavericks
Last season, the Suns took on the Dallas Mavericks looking to avoid falling under .500. However, a sensational 50-point performance from Luka Doncic helped cause the Suns to fall to a 14-15 record. The Suns were missing Bradley Beal but still had Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on display. It was not the superstar duo who led the Suns in scoring, though, as the pair struggled with 16 and 20 points respectively. Instead, it was Grayson Allen who stood out, scoring 32 points in 39 minutes. Chimezie Metu also had an impressive performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing 19 rebounds off the bench.
2022: Nuggets 128-125 Suns
This year marks the second time in three years that the Suns and Nuggets meet on Christmas. The Suns will be hoping for a better outcome this time around after a three-point loss in overtime in 2022. Booker played just four minutes in this game as he aggravated a groin injury. It opened the door for more minutes for Landry Shamet, who led the team in scoring with 31 points, including seven three-pointers. However, it was not enough as they were unable to stop the dangerous trio of Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray. The three players combined for 95 of the Nuggets’ 125 points in their win.
2021: Suns 107-116 Warriors
The Golden State Warriors were the Suns’ opponents in 2021, as Phoenix were rewarded with their first Christmas Day game in 12 years after making the NBA Finals the season before. It was a matchup between the two top seeds in the Western Conference, which the Warriors won by nine points. Chris Paul was the Suns leading scorer on this day with 21 points, as Booker struggled from the field, shooting 5-19 for just 13 points. Unsurprisingly, Steph Curry was the leader for the victors, with his 33 points a game-high. Otto Porter Jr was the surprise supporting act, scoring seven of his 19 points in the closing stages.
2009: Suns 124-93 Clippers
Twelve years prior to the Warriors game, 2009 was the last time the Suns had won on Christmas Day. It came against the LA Clippers in a 31-point blowout win at home. Amar’e Stoudemire was the only Suns player to play over 30 minutes as his 26 points led both sides. Jason Richardson and Steve Nash combined for 32 points, as the Suns dominated throughout. Jared Dudley put in an efficient effort from the bench, converting four of his five three-point attempts on his way to 18 points.
2008: Suns 90-91 Spurs
It was a low-scoring affair as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Suns by one point in 2008. The Suns held a six-point lead at halftime, but could not hold on as neither side were able to create any separation. Tony Parker scored a game-high 27 points for the Spurs, closely followed by Tim Duncan’s 25. For the Suns, it was Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal who led the way as they combined for 48 points. All five starters produced double-digit points, however, the Suns did not get help from their bench. Only two bench points were scored, both by Leandro Barbosa.
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