The Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 140-130 at Ball Arena to secure home-court advantage for the 2022 postseason.

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 140-130 at Ball Arena on Thursday to secure home-court advantage for the 2022 postseason.

The Suns won for the 60th time this season thanks to a 49-point effort from Devin Booker and a 22-point effort from Mikal Bridges.

The Suns would have secured the top spot with a loss by the Grizzlies following their sixth consecutive victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. However, Memphis managed to stay in the race by defeating the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

The Suns have made the playoffs for two straight seasons, but this is the first time they have won the Western Conference title since the 2004–05 campaign. To put things in perspective, Mike D’Antoni won Coach of the Year and Steve Nash won MVP the last time they did that.

D’Antoni is currently a coaching advisor with the New Orleans Pelicans, and Nash is the head coach of the Nets.

Due in large part to the performances of Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, Phoenix has led the Western Conference standings for the most of the 2021–22 season. But prior to Thursday’s matchup with Denver, Paul had missed action due to a fractured thumb that occurred on February 24.

The Suns went 11-4 sans Paul, demonstrating their ability to succeed without him. But since joining the team prior to the 2020–21 season, the seasoned point guard has led the group and will be crucial to Phoenix’s anticipated lengthy postseason run.

The Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Utah Jazz are a few of the teams who might contend for a trip to the Finals, so a difficult Western Conference playoff bracket is anticipated. But the Suns are equipped to handle almost any team they play, and given that they made it to the NBA Finals the previous season, they should be able to do it once more.