Editing Phoenix Suns (section)

====2020–2022: The arrival of Chris Paul and return to the playoffs====
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 | image1 = Chris Paul (2022 All-Star Weekend) (cropped).jpg

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 | footer = The acquisition of [[Chris Paul]] (left) and second-year head coach [[Monty Williams]] (right) helped guide the Suns to the [[2021 NBA Finals]], their first Finals appearance since [[1993 NBA Finals|1993]].
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In the 2020 off-season, the Suns traded [[Kelly Oubre Jr.]], [[Ricky Rubio]], [[Jalen Lecque]], [[Ty Jerome]], and a future first-round draft pick for 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, and nine-time All-Defensive point guard [[Chris Paul]] from the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]. Phoenix also received small forward [[Abdel Nader]]. Both [[Devin Booker]] and Paul were named All-Star reserves for the [[2020–21 NBA season]]. The Suns went on to have a 51–21 record (2nd best in the entire NBA), clinching the second seed in the Western Conference while head coach Monty Williams was named [[NBCA Coach of the Year]]. The Suns made the playoffs for the first time since [[2009–10 Phoenix Suns season|2010]]. The Suns faced the defending champions [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the first round, defeating them in six games to win their first playoff series since 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beacham |first1=Greg |title=Suns defeat Lakers in Game 6 of playoff series |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/sports/suns-defeat-lakers-in-game-6-of-playoff-series |website=FOX 10 Phoenix |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=June 4, 2021 |date=June 3, 2021 |archive-date=June 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604052107/https://www.fox10phoenix.com/sports/suns-defeat-lakers-in-game-6-of-playoff-series |url-status=live }}</ref> The Suns then went on to sweep the [[Denver Nuggets]], advancing the team to the Western Conference finals.<ref>{{citation |last1=Kaskey-Blomain |first1=Michael |title=Suns vs. Nuggets score: Chris Paul helps Phoenix sweep Denver, earn first Western finals berth since 2010 |work=CBS NBA |date=June 13, 2021}}</ref> Prior to the Western Conference finals, Paul entered into the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols and missed the first two games of the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Suns' Chris Paul enters COVID-19 health and safety protocols|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-suns-chris-paul-enters-covid-19-health-and-safety-protocols-124740305.html|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=June 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618062211/https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-suns-chris-paul-enters-covid-19-health-and-safety-protocols-124740305.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 30, 2021, the Suns won the conference finals in six games against the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] to advance to the [[NBA Finals]] for the first time since [[1993 NBA Finals|1993]] after a 41-point performance by Paul.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greif |first1=Andrew |title=Clippers have no Finals answer, eliminated by Suns in Game 6 |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-06-30/clippers-lose-to-suns-game-6-nba-finals |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 1, 2021 |date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701051117/https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-06-30/clippers-lose-to-suns-game-6-nba-finals |url-status=live }}</ref> The Suns won the first two games of the Finals but ultimately lost the series 4–2 to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]], led by two-time regular season MVP [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]], who would be eventually named [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]]. Despite the loss, Booker set the NBA record for the most points scored by a player in his debut postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaskey-Blomain |first=Michael |date=July 15, 2021 |title=NBA Finals: Suns' Devin Booker sets league record for most points scored in a player's first postseason |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-finals-suns-devin-booker-sets-league-record-for-most-points-scored-in-a-players-first-postseason/ |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401060947/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-finals-suns-devin-booker-sets-league-record-for-most-points-scored-in-a-players-first-postseason/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Paul was awarded [[All-NBA Second Team]] honors for his performance that season although he came up short in the finals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry lead 2020-21 All-NBA First Team |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-jokic-giannis-antetokounmpo-stephen-curry-lead-2020-21-all-nba-first-team |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=NBA.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616005021/https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-jokic-giannis-antetokounmpo-stephen-curry-lead-2020-21-all-nba-first-team |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also the first player to lose all four playoff series in which his team led 2–0.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=McMenamin|title=Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul, 36, ready to 'get back to work,' not considering retirement after NBA Finals loss|date=July 21, 2021|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31853092/phoenix-suns-star-chris-paul-36-ready-get-back-work-not-considering-retirement-nba-finals-loss|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417142035/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31853092/phoenix-suns-star-chris-paul-36-ready-get-back-work-not-considering-retirement-nba-finals-loss|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 29, 2021, the day of the [[2021 NBA draft]], the Suns traded guard [[Jevon Carter]] and the 29th pick to the [[Brooklyn Nets]] for guard [[Landry Shamet]]. In August, the Suns re-signed free agent center [[Frank Kaminsky]] and also signed veteran center [[JaVale McGee]] to a one-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Dan |date=August 5, 2021 |title=Suns signing JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky as backup centers |url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/08/05/suns-signing-javale-mcgee-frank-kaminsky-as-backup-centers/ |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=NBC Sports |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401060947/https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/08/05/suns-signing-javale-mcgee-frank-kaminsky-as-backup-centers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting point guard Chris Paul was re-signed to a partially guaranteed four-year deal.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Salvador |first=Joseph |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Report: Chris Paul Agrees to Four-Year Deal With Suns Worth Up to $120 Million |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2021/08/02/chris-paul-contract-phoenix-suns-four-year-120-million-deal |access-date=April 1, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401060947/https://www.si.com/nba/2021/08/02/chris-paul-contract-phoenix-suns-four-year-120-million-deal |url-status=live }}</ref>

After beginning the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]] with a 1–3 record, the Suns rattled off a winning streak that was capped off on December 2 with a 114–103 victory over the [[Detroit Pistons]], which gave the Suns their 18th consecutive win to best the team's previous record of 17 games set in the [[2006–07 NBA season|2006-07 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rankin|first=Duane|title=Suns win franchise record 18th consecutive game in topping Pistons minus injured Devin Booker|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/12/02/suns-win-franchise-record-18th-consecutive-game-topping-pistons-minus-injured-devin-booker/8846767002/|access-date=December 3, 2021|website=The Arizona Republic}}</ref> On February 3, 2022, starting guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul were selected to reserve spots for the [[2022 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bontemps |first=Tim |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, Devin Booker named All-Star reserves; Darius Garland, Fred VanVleet to make first appearance |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33210955/phoenix-suns-chris-paul-devin-booker-named-all-star-reserves-darius-garland-fred-vanvleet-make-first-appearance |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401060947/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33210955/phoenix-suns-chris-paul-devin-booker-named-all-star-reserves-darius-garland-fred-vanvleet-make-first-appearance |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 10, the Suns traded second-year big man [[Jalen Smith]] and a second-round pick to the [[Indiana Pacers]] to reacquire wing [[Torrey Craig]] and acquired guard [[Aaron Holiday]] from the [[Washington Wizards]] for cash considerations at the NBA trade deadline.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Jamal |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Phoenix Suns finalizing trade to reacquire Torrey Craig from Indiana Pacers, sources say |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33260921/phoenix-suns-finalizing-trade-reacquire-torrey-craig-indiana-pacers-sources-say |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401060444/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33260921/phoenix-suns-finalizing-trade-reacquire-torrey-craig-indiana-pacers-sources-say |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 10, the Suns became the first team that season to clinch a playoff berth after defeating the [[Miami Heat]] 111–90 on the road to claim their 53rd win.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Phoenix Suns 1st NBA team to clinch 2022 playoff berth after win vs. Heat |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3058795/phoenix-suns-1st-nba-team-to-clinch-2022-playoff-berth-after-win-vs-heat/ |access-date=March 10, 2022 |website=Arizona Sports |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310040304/https://arizonasports.com/story/3058795/phoenix-suns-1st-nba-team-to-clinch-2022-playoff-berth-after-win-vs-heat/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 24, the Suns clinched the NBA's top overall record with a 140–130 victory over the [[Denver Nuggets]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2022 |title=Phoenix Suns clinch top seed in NBA playoffs in Chris Paul's return from broken thumb |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33590051/phoenix-suns-clinch-top-seed-nba-playoffs-chris-paul-return-broken-thumb |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401060947/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33590051/phoenix-suns-clinch-top-seed-nba-playoffs-chris-paul-return-broken-thumb |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 79th game of the season, the Suns set a new franchise record for wins with a 121–110 victory over the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] to tally their 63rd win on April 5, eliminating the Lakers from playoff contention in the process.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Booker scores 32, Suns eliminate Lakers from playoff race |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401361008 |access-date=April 6, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406060827/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401361008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Suns finished the regular season with a record of 64–18 with Devin Booker finishing 4th in MVP voting.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wood |first=Kyle |date=April 11, 2022 |title=NBA Power Rankings: Where Things Stand Before Play-In, Playoffs |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2022/04/11/nba-power-rankings-play-in-playoffs-suns-grizzlies-heat-nets |access-date=April 13, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412183137/https://www.si.com/nba/2022/04/11/nba-power-rankings-play-in-playoffs-suns-grizzlies-heat-nets |url-status=live }}</ref> In the first round of the [[2022 NBA playoffs]], the Suns would defeat the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] in six games, before falling to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in seven games in the second round despite holding a 2–0 series lead.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Analysis {{!}} Without Zion Williamson, Pelicans show future is bright in loss to Suns |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/04/28/pelicans-suns-game-6/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Suns vs. Mavericks score, takeaways: Chris Paul, Devin Booker help Phoenix to 2-0 series lead in Game 2 win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/suns-vs-mavericks-score-takeaways-chris-paul-devin-booker-help-phoenix-to-2-0-series-lead-in-game-2-win/live/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613235326/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/suns-vs-mavericks-score-takeaways-chris-paul-devin-booker-help-phoenix-to-2-0-series-lead-in-game-2-win/live/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Brett |title=3 Things We Learned From Suns-Mavericks Game 4 On Sunday |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/3-things-we-learned-from-suns-mavericks-game-5-on-sunday-nba-playoffs |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=Fastbreak on FanNation |date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613235326/https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/3-things-we-learned-from-suns-mavericks-game-5-on-sunday-nba-playoffs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Michael C. |title=5 takeaways from Mavericks' surprising Game 7 romp against Suns |url=https://www.nba.com/news/5-takeaways-from-the-suns-mavericks-western-conference-semifinal-game-7 |website=NBA.com |access-date=May 17, 2022 |date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516225647/https://www.nba.com/news/5-takeaways-from-the-suns-mavericks-western-conference-semifinal-game-7 |url-status=live }}</ref>