NBA Team Guide
Phoenix Suns: History, Championships & Facts
The Phoenix Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, alongside the Milwaukee Bucks. They reached the NBA Finals in 1976, 1993 and 2021 and, as of 2026, have not won a championship.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1968, NBA expansion team (first season 1968–69) |
|---|---|
| Arena | Downtown Phoenix arena opened in 1992 as America West Arena; named Mortgage Matchup Center in 2025 |
| NBA titles | None as of 2026 |
| NBA Finals appearances | 3 (1976, 1993, 2021) |
| League MVPs | Charles Barkley (1993), Steve Nash (2005, 2006) |
Championship history
Phoenix has won three Western Conference titles but no NBA championship as of 2026. Each of its Finals ended in a 4–2 loss.
- 1976: Western Conference champions; lost the Finals to the Boston Celtics 4–2
- 1993: Western Conference champions; lost the Finals to the Chicago Bulls 4–2
- 2021: Western Conference champions; lost the Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks 4–2 after winning the first two games
Franchise history
- 1968: Founded as an NBA expansion team.
- 1969: Lost a coin flip to Milwaukee for the rights to Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and drafted Neal Walk.
- 1976: Lost Game 5 of the Finals at Boston 128–126 in triple overtime.
- 1992: Opened America West Arena in downtown Phoenix.
- 1993: Charles Barkley won MVP and the Suns reached the Finals.
- 2005–2006: Steve Nash won back-to-back MVP awards.
- 2021: Reached the NBA Finals for the third time.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Devin Booker (took the record on February 3, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Assists (through 2025–26) | Steve Nash, 6,997 |
| Rebounds | Alvan Adams, 6,937 |
Retired numbers
- 5Dick Van Arsdale
- 6Walter Davis
- 6Bill Russell (retired across the NBA)
- 7Kevin Johnson
- 9Dan Majerle
- 13Steve Nash
- 24Tom Chambers
- 31Shawn Marion
- 32Amar'e Stoudemire
- 33Alvan Adams
- 34Charles Barkley
- 42Connie Hawkins
- 44Paul Westphal
Hall of Famers
Steve Nash, Walter Davis, Paul Westphal, Connie Hawkins, Amar'e Stoudemire, Jerry Colangelo (contributor), Mike D'Antoni (contributor).
Biggest rivalries
- Los Angeles Lakers: 13 playoff series from 1970 to 2021, with Los Angeles winning eight (through the 2025–26 season).
- San Antonio Spurs: 10 playoff series from 1992 to 2010, with San Antonio winning six, including the 2005 Western Conference finals; Phoenix swept the 2010 series.
- Milwaukee Bucks: fellow 1968 expansion team that won the 1969 coin flip and beat Phoenix in the 2021 Finals.
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Have the Suns ever won an NBA championship?
No, as of 2026. They reached the Finals in 1976, 1993 and 2021 and lost each series 4–2.
What was the 1969 coin flip?
The Suns and Bucks, both new in 1968, flipped a coin for the first pick in the 1969 draft. Milwaukee won and took Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Phoenix drafted Neal Walk.
Which Suns players have won MVP?
Charles Barkley in 1993 and Steve Nash in 2005 and 2006.
Who holds the Suns' career scoring record?
Devin Booker took the franchise record on February 3, 2025, passing Walter Davis's 15,666 points.
What was the 1976 triple-overtime game?
Game 5 of the 1976 Finals in Boston. Garfield Heard's buzzer-beater forced a third overtime, and the Celtics won 128–126.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.