National Basketball Association

Largest Comebacks in Phoenix Suns History

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) drives the ball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Gordon Hayward (20) in the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Jazz 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

On October 12, 2016 the Suns won another meaningless, although exciting, preseason game, this time against an intentionally short-handed Utah Jazz.

And yet, even though the statistics didn’t count, the storyline surrounding the events of the game were as interesting and fascinating as it can get for a regular season warmup.

Down by 30 points four minutes into the second quarter, the Suns began what was one of the most improbable comebacks in franchise history.

For a full account of the comeback, please check out Paul Coro’s post-game wrap up here. The game winning dunk by Archie Goodwin is right here as well (my Goodness does that kid have hops):

But the preseason comeback, as ugly as it was – 79 fouls and 106 free throws combined (does that remind anyone of another highlight in Suns preseason history?) would have been the largest comeback in franchise history had it counted. Never before have the Phoenix Suns won a game when trailing by 30 points or more. Although they have been close.

And as Goodwin answered various post-game questions about his comeback and game-winning dunk, many Suns fans were probably wondering, what was the biggest comeback in Suns history?

Honorable Mention: May 11, 1994 – Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets

Any list of Phoenix Suns comebacks would be remiss without mention of the largest fourth quarter comeback in NBA playoff history (at the time): The 1994 NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 2, between the Suns and Rockets.

Down 18 at the end of the third and twenty points early in fourth, the Suns dominated the Rockets with a 26-8 quarter tying the game at 108 on a Danny Ainge three-pointer with 32.9 seconds remaining. Then in overwhelming fashion, the Suns outscored the Rockets 16-9 in the overtime, setting the Suns up with a 2-0 lead in the series, and the culmination of the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history at the time.

Looking to sweep the series at home the next two games, in a post-game interview on TNT, Barkley noted that “we still feel like this is going to be a great series. But if we don’t win it, it’s our own fault.” Ugh.

Dec. 26, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Shannon Brown reacts during game against the New Orleans Hornets at the US Airways Center. The Hornets defeated the Suns 85-84. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3: November 9, 2012 – Phoenix Suns v. Cleveland Cavaliers

Suns fans love to hear players speak of heart, of effort, and of willpower, even when the team on paper isn’t that good. On one night, a below-average Suns team proved that they would “never, ever, ever…give up,” as Shannon Brown put it following a 26 point come from behind win to the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers – the largest home comeback victory in franchise history.

Allowing the Cavs to score on their first nine possessions leading to an 18-2 deficit after 4:25, and down 42-16 two minutes into the second quarter, the scrappy team in the Purple Palace began to claw their way back, and into the franchises’ record books.

Led by the determined defensive play of P.J. Tucker, 26 point and 4 assists from Goran Dragic, and 35 points and 9 rebounds from Brown and Sebastian Telfair, the Suns tied the game for the first time with 8:40 left in the 4th quarter, and took the lead, 103-102, on a P.J. Tucker jumper with 1:32 remaining, and held on for a 107-105 victory.

“I almost threw up,” said an exhausted Dragic whose eight third quarter points helped to pace the second half comeback. “When you try to play as hard as possible, then you get that extra energy from somewhere. I just try to push myself over the limits and play as hard as possible.”

2: March 2, 1997 – Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks

Wanting to avenge an embarrassing 88-86 loss at home to the Dallas Mavericks a little over a week earlier, the Suns began this game going in the opposite direction. Following Head Coach Danny Ainge’s ejection for arguing with an official late in the first half, the Suns found themselves down 17 at halftime. The Mavericks, led by Shawn Bradley and Martin Muursepp’s outstanding first half’s, made uncontested layup after layup and the Suns quickly found themselves trailing by 27 points in the third and still down 18 heading into the fourth.

Midway through the final period, Wesley Person, Jason Kidd, and Mark Bryant jump-started the Suns offense and the Purple Gang went on a tear. Kevin Johnson tied the game for the first time with 3:11 left, and with the two teams headed into an earlier unexpected overtime, KJ barked out that “this game is ours.”

Fighting back and forth throughout the overtime period, with only seconds left, Jason Kidd – making his first appearance in Dallas following his mid-season trade to Phoenix – got the ball at the three-point line. Driving the lane, A.C. Green came off his man coverage of Wayman Tisdale to double the point guard, leaving Tisdale open for the game winning layup with less than a second in the game and a 109-108 victory.

Kidd led the Suns with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Kevin Johnson provided 22 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds. In defeat, ex-Suns Green and Michael Finley led Dallas with a combined 38 points, 23 rebounds, and 5 assists.

February 20, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts to a call during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

1: December 5, 2003 – Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics

For those who do not recall, the 2003-04 Suns were a mess, and in early December were a team on the verge of a major overhaul.

December 5 against Boston was the beginning of a four game Eastern Conference road swing, and would mark the beginning, and the end, of two era’s in Suns history.

Heading into the matchup 7-10 and on a three game losing streak, the Suns opened up the game looking lost and generally indifferent. Down 13 after one, 26 at half, and 29 points 23 seconds into the third quarter, Head Coach Frank Johnson was forced to go small-ball when second-year star Amare Stoudemire went out due to a severe ankle sprain.

Turning to a guard-heavy lineup featuring Stephon Marbury, Joe Johnson, Penny Hardaway, and Shawn Marion, Frank Johnson was forced to implement a full-court trap which led to 10 second-half turnovers, and a number of missed shots.

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“We were trapping and the ball was moving in the second half,” said Johnson. “In the first half, we kept trying to make home run plays.”

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Suns finally took the lead for the first time on a tear-drop runner in the lane by Marbury. Booed off the court following the timeout, the Celtics hit back and a Paul Pierce three-pointer with 4:05 left regained the lead for the Celtics.

Following a frenetic run, the Suns managed a seven-point lead with less than a minute left, though Pierce hit another three-point shot with 16 seconds left to go to bring the Celtics to within four. But when guard Mike James missed a three with five seconds remaining, the Suns grabbed the rebound and held on to complete the greatest comeback in franchise history.

“I’m still reeling from everything that happened in the last two quarters,” Vin Baker lamented following the game. “There is no explanation that I have.”

Almost prophetically, Penny Hardaway commented that he would like to “let that be the last of that business.” And in a way, it was. The win would prove to be the final victory in the Frank Johnson-era, as the Suns lost the final three games on the road trip. Five days after the Boston Massacre, Johnson was replaced by Mike D’Antoni.

Then, exactly one month following the victory, the Suns shipped off Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway to the New York Knicks, ending another major era in Suns history.

In the 2003-04 season, the 29-point comeback – the greatest in franchise had ever accomplished – would be the shining moment for which the season can be remembered. Fortunately, it was the subsequent events that did lead to the most exciting era in Suns history.

Information and quotes gathered for this story was found from:

Game 3: November 10, 2012, Arizona Republic, Suns Pull off Stunning Rally, by Paul Coro

Game 2: March 3, 1997, Arizona Republic, Suns Run Wild in Victory, by Norm Frauenheim

Game 1: December 6, 2003, Arizona Republic, Amazing Turnaround in Boston and Small Ball Yields Huge Turnaround, by Bob Young

The 2015-16 Phoenix Suns Media Guide

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