The Phoenix Suns take on the Dallas Mavericks tonight at home 8:30 p.m. MST for a highly-anticipated Christmas Day matchup.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix is 12-8 all time on Christmas and enters this matchup on a two-game losing streak on Christmas.
The Suns have only played two Christmas games since 2009, falling 116-107 to the Golden State Warriors in 2021 and 128-125 to the Nuggets last season.
Now, Phoenix enters Christmas struggling this season, losing eight of its last 11 games, and needing a win against a team that has become a rival over the last couple seasons.
KD.
LUKA.Two SCORING MACHINES square off in #NBAXmas action today! 🍿
Don't miss Mavs-Suns at 10:30pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/qckIgPdaMf
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2023
Christmas in the NBA has always been viewed as the most anticipated regular season slate of games. Suns’ players and coach Frank Vogel talked about how special it is to play on the day.
Devin Booker
On playing on Christmas: “It’s a dream, it’s definitely a nostalgia moment. Thinking back to growing up when right after you open your presents, (you) turned on the TV and you get hoops all day. It’s the last present of the day and this year we’re the last game, so we still get our morning with our families, and it’s time to lock in by night time.”
On his best memories of Christmas Day games: “I used to love the jerseys, the Christmas jerseys. I always say they should still go back to that, and I’d say most memorable is probably Lakers – Heat.“
Kevin Durant
"Watching the NBA on Christmas was a gift. It felt like it was another gift. "
KD keeps on giving the gift of #NBAXmas basketball 🎁🎄
Mavs-Suns | Christmas Day | 10:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/NOwHn4WCNP
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2023
Eric Gordon
On playing on Christmas: “It means a lot. For one for me, personally, it’s my birthday, and two, that’s always a day where you are you going to watch basketball, when all the premiere teams are playing and a lot of good players that people love to see. Of course, that’s a big day for everybody for basketball”
On it being his birthday as well: “To me, that’s more of a relax day, so it is weird. It is weird playing on Christmas, but all the good games are on Christmas, and it’s always good to be a part of.”
Happy Birthday, EG! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/N8Kw0Wk8Fb
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 25, 2023
Frank Vogel
On playing on Christmas: “It’s always an honor to play in the NBA on Christmas Day. It’s part of America. Waking up, opening the presents, having friends and family around and having the NBA games on. I can remember, as far back as being a young child. I remember getting a brand new TV when we were little, and I remember watching Michael Jordan play the Knicks on our new TV, it was really cool. To be able to participate in it is very special to me.”
Devin Booker’s perspective on mutual respect with Luka Doncic
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
