Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Suns are starting the regular season with a marquee game against the Los Angeles Clippers, which will serve as a test for their ability to contend with the Western Conference’s elite. The Suns will play a veteran team in the Clippers, who have been together since April 2021. The first five games of the regular season will be the biggest test for this team. Regardless of who wins, a game against the Suns should feel like a major milestone.

The Phoenix Suns enjoyed a successful run in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making the playoffs eight times in a row. However, problems on and off the court began to affect the team during the mid-80s. In 1987, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office indicted 13 players on drug charges, including three Suns players. This scandal was based on the testimony of star player Walter Davis and tarnished the franchise’s reputation.

The Phoenix Suns had some of their best moments during the postseason, including winning game four of the 2006 Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers. After a series of tight games, the Suns went on to win game five in double overtime. The win was by twenty points. Rick Barry, who would go on to become a Hall of Famer, refused to shoot in Game 7 despite the huge underdog status of his team.