2008–09 Phoenix Suns season

{{Infobox NBA season

| team = Phoenix Suns

| end_year = 2009

| wins = 46

| losses = 36

| division = pacific

| division_place = 2nd

| conf_place = 9th

| coach =

| gm = Steve Kerr

| president = Steve Kerr

| owner = Robert Sarver

| arena = US Airways Center

| television = Fox Sports Arizona, KUTP

| radio = KTAR

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| bbr_team = PHO

}}

The 2008–09 Phoenix Suns season was the 41st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season was to be a promising one, filled with All-Star talent at several positions. It was believed over the offseason, the Suns would be able to better incorporate Shaquille O'Neal, who necessitated changes to both the offense and defense after being obtained in a trade one season ago. It was also the first season head coach Terry Porter had been able to use the summer to implement his defensive approach for a team which had in seasons past scored a large number of their points off fast breaks and early in the shot clock. Sensing a need for change, team management traded for scorer Jason Richardson in December, but this did not appear to immediately reinvigorate an offense that had recently led the league in points per game. However, after Phoenix went 28–23 to start the season, Suns assistant Alvin Gentry was named to replace Porter as head coach. Less than one week after the All-Star Game, Amar'e Stoudemire sustained a season-ending eye injury while the improvement of the team never fully came. The Suns finished 46–36, second in the Pacific division but out the playoffs for the first time since Steve Nash rejoined the Suns in the 2004–05 season. The Suns had the best team offensive rating in the NBA.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced/?sort=OFF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2008-09&SeasonType=Regular%20Season|title=Offensive Rating|work=NBA.com|accessdate=April 30, 2021}}

Key dates

June 26: The 2008 NBA draft took place in New York City.
July 1: The free agency period started.
October 1: Starting power forward Amar'e Stoudemire sustained a partially torn iris.Jeramie McPeek, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/stoudemire_081002.html SUNS: Stoudemire Lucky Eye Injury Not Worse], Suns.com, October 3, 2008.
October 8: The pre-season started with a game against the Atlanta Hawks.
October 29: The regular season started with a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
February 14–15: Phoenix hosted the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend.
February 16: The Suns fired coach Terry Porter and named Alvin Gentry interim coach.Stefan Swiat, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/gentry_feature_090216.html SUNS: Alvin Gentry Named Interim Head Coach by the Suns], Suns.com, February 16, 2009.
February 20: Stoudemire underwent surgery for a detached retina and was out for eight weeks after an injury sustained on February 18.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/stoudemire_surgery_090220.html SUNS: Stoudemire Undergoes Successful Eye Surgery], Suns.com, February 20, 2009.

Offseason

File:Suns pregame at Phoenix at Golden State 3-15-09 1.JPG in March 2009.]]

June 7: Terry Porter was named as the Suns' new head coach.Stefan Swiat, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/porter_080607.html SUNS: Suns Name Terry Porter Head Coach], Suns.com, Suns.com, June 7, 2008.
June 20: Alvin Gentry, Bill Cartwright, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov were named as the Suns' new assistant coaches.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/coaching_staff_080620.html SUNS: Suns Complete Coaching Staff], Suns.com, June 20, 2008.
June 26: Forward Grant Hill has exercised his player option for the 2008–09 season.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/hill_080626.html SUNS: Suns Hill Exercises Player Option For 2008–09], Suns.com, June 26, 2008.
June 26: Suns have acquired the draft rights to the rookie point guard Goran Dragić from San Antonio Spurs.Brad G. Faye, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/draft08_dragic.html SUNS: Suns Believe in Dragic], Suns.com, June 26, 2008.
July 10: Suns have signed center Robin Lopez, selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/lopez_080710.html SUNS: Suns Sign Robin Lopez], Suns.com, July 10, 2008.
July 22: Free agent forward Matt Barnes has signed with the Suns.Josh Greene, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/newsroom_080722.html SUNS: Suns Ink Barnes to a One-Year Deal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731122747/http://www.nba.com/suns/news/newsroom_080722.html |date=2008-07-31 }}, Suns.com, July 22, 2008.
August 14: Free agent forward Louis Amundson has signed with the Suns.Stefan Swiat, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/amundson_080813.html SUNS: Suns Sign Forward Louis Amundson], Suns.com, August 14, 2008.
August 25: Suns have acquired rookie guard Sean Singletary from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard D. J. Strawberry.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/singletary_080825.html SUNS: Suns Acquire Sean Singletary], Suns.com, August 14, 2008.
September 22: Suns have signed Goran Dragić.Stefan Swiat, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/sign_dragic_080825.html SUNS: Suns Sign Goran Dragic], Suns.com, September 22, 2008.
October 23: The Phoenix Suns have exercised the team's option on swingman Alando Tucker for the 2009–10 season.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tucker_081023.html SUNS: Suns Exercise Option on Alando Tucker], Suns.com, October 23, 2008.

=NBA draft=

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%"| Round

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%"| Pick

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="20%"| Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="15%"| Position

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="15%"| Nationality

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="20%"| College

style="text-align: center"

| 1

| 15

| Robin Lopez

| Center

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Stanford

style="text-align: center"

| 2

| 48

| Malik Hairston

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Oregon

Roster

{{player2 | num = 17 |first = Louis |last = Amundson | pos = PF |ft = 6 |in = 9 |lbs = 238 | DOB = 1982-12-07 | college = UNLV}}

{{player2 | num = 10 | first = Leandro | last = Barbosa | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 202 | DOB = 1982-11-28 | from = Brazil}}

{{player2 | num = 22 | first = Matt | last = Barnes | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 226 | DOB = 1980-03-09 | college = UCLA}}

{{player2 | num = 2 | first = Goran | last = Dragić | pos= G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 190 | DOB = 1986-05-06 | from = Slovenia}}

{{player2 | num = 3 | first = Jared | last = Dudley | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1985-07-10 | college = Boston College}}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Grant | last = Hill | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1972-10-05 | college = Duke }}

{{player2 | num = 15 | first = Robin | last = Lopez | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 255 | DOB = 1988-04-01 | college = Stanford}}

{{player2 | num = 13 | first = Steve | last = Nash | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 178 | DOB = 1974-02-07 | college = Santa Clara }}

{{player2 | num = 32 | first = Shaquille | last = O'Neal | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 1 | lbs = 325 | DOB = 1972-03-06 | college = LSU}}

{{player2 | num = 23 | first = Jason | last = Richardson | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1981-01-20 | college = Michigan State}}

{{player2 | num = 1 | first = Amar'e | last = Stoudemire | pos = FC | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 249 | DOB = 1982-11-16 | college = Cypress Creek HS (FL) }}

{{player2 | num = 4 | first = Stromile | last = Swift | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1979-11-21 | college = Louisiana State}}

{{player2 | num = 29 | first = Alando | last = Tucker | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 205 | DOB = 1984-02-11 | college = Wisconsin}}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

| asst_coach =

| roster_url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2009.html

| accessdate = March 4, 2009

}}

Regular season

=Standings=

=Game log=

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|October|first=yes

| home_wins = 0

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 0

}}

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 1

| October 29

| @ San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20081029|id=PHXSAS|pf=103|pa=98}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (22)

| Shaquille O'Neal (13)

| Steve Nash (13)

| AT&T Center
18,797

| 1–0

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 2

| October 30

| New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20081030|id=NOHPHX|pf=95|pa=108}}

| Steve Nash (24)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (12)

| Steve Nash (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 1–1

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|November|

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 4

| road_wins = 6

| road_losses = 2

}}

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 3

| November 1

| Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20081101|id=PORPHX|pf=107|pa=96}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (23)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (13)

| Steve Nash (7)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 2–1

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 4

| November 4

| @ New Jersey

| {{NBA game|date=20081104|id=PHXNJN|pf=114|pa=86}}

| Raja Bell (22)

| Matt Barnes (7)

| Steve Nash (11)

| Izod Center
15,230

| 3–1

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 5

| November 5

| @ Indiana

| {{NBA game|date=20081105|id=PHXIND|pf=113|pa=103}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (49)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (11)

| Amar'e Stoudemire, Steve Nash (6)

| Conseco Fieldhouse
11,660

| 4–1

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 6

| November 7

| @ Chicago

| {{NBA game|date=20081107|id=PHXCHI|pf=83|pa=100}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (26)

| Robin Lopez, Amar'e Stoudemire (7)

| Steve Nash (5)

| United Center
21,967

| 4–2

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 7

| November 8

| @ Milwaukee

| {{NBA game|date=20081108|id=PHXMIL|pf=104|pa=96}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (29)

| Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill (11)

| Steve Nash (7)

| Bradley Center
17,935

| 5–2

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 8

| November 10

| Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20081110|id=MEMPHX|pf=107|pa=102}}

| Leandro Barbosa (27)

| Matt Barnes (8)

| Steve Nash (6)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 6–2

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 9

| November 12

| Houston

| {{NBA game|date=20081112|id=HOUPHX|pf=82|pa=94}}

| Leandro Barbosa, Shaquille O'Neal (18)

| Shaquille O'Neal (13)

| Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash (3)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 6–3

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 10

| November 14

| @ Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20081114|id=PHXSAC|pf=97|pa=95|ot=1}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (29)

| Shaquille O'Neal (13)

| Shaquille O'Neal (6)

| ARCO Arena
12,810

| 7–3

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 11

| November 16

| Detroit

| {{NBA game|date=20081116|id=DETPHX|pf=104|pa=86}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (29)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (11)

| Steve Nash (7)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 8–3

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 12

| November 17

| @ Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20081117|id=PHXUTA|pf=97|pa=109}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (30)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (8)

| Steve Nash (8)

| EnergySolutions Arena
19,911

| 8–4

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 13

| November 20

| L.A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20081120|id=LALPHX|pf=92|pa=105}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (21)

| Shaquille O'Neal (9)

| Steve Nash (10)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 8–5

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 14

| November 22

| Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20081122|id=PORPHX|pf=102|pa=92}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (19)

| Shaquille O'Neal (17)

| Steve Nash (7)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 9–5

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 15

| November 25

| @ Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20081125|id=PHXOKC|pf=99|pa=98}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (22)

| Steve Nash (8)

| Steve Nash (15)

| Ford Center
19,136

| 10–5

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 16

| November 26

| @ Minnesota

| {{NBA game|date=20081126|id=PHXMIN|pf=110|pa=102}}

| Steve Nash (20)

| Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (6)

| Target Center
11,708

| 11–5

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 17

| November 28

| Miami

| {{NBA game|date=20081128|id=MIAPHX|pf=92|pa=107}}

| Leandro Barbosa (20)

| Shaquille O'Neal (9)

| Leandro Barbosa (5)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 11–6

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 18

| November 30

| New Jersey

| {{NBA game|date=20081130|id=NJNPHX|pf=109|pa=117}}

| Steve Nash (26)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (12)

| Steve Nash (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 11–7

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|December|

| home_wins = 5

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 4

}}

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 19

| December 3

| @ New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20081203|id=PHXNOH|pf=91|pa=104}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (26)

| Matt Barnes (7)

| Grant Hill (6)

| New Orleans Arena
15,804

| 11–8

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 20

| December 4

| @ Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20081204|id=PHXDAL|pf=97|pa=112}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (28)

| Matt Barnes (6)

| Steve Nash (10)

| American Airlines Center
19,813

| 11–9

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 21

| December 6

| Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20081206|id=UTAPHX|pf=106|pa=104}}

| Leandro Barbosa (25)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (20)

| Steve Nash (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 12–9

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 22

| December 9

| Milwaukee

| {{NBA game|date=20081209|id=MILPHX|pf=125|pa=110}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (35)

| Shaquille O'Neal, Amar'e Stoudemire (8)

| Steve Nash (10)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 13–9

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 23

| December 10

| @ L.A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20081210|id=PHXLAL|pf=110|pa=115}}

| Matt Barnes (25)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (11)

| Steve Nash (9)

| Staples Center
18,997

| 13–10

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 24

| December 12

| Orlando

| {{NBA game|date=20081212|id=ORLPHX|pf=113|pa=112}}

| Jason Richardson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Steve Nash (21)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (14)

| Steve Nash (10)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 14–10

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 25

| December 15

| New York

| {{NBA game|date=20081215|id=NYKPHX|pf=111|pa=103}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (23)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (14)

| Steve Nash (6)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 15–10

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 26

| December 18

| @ Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20081218|id=PHXPOR|pf=119|pa=124}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (23)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (8)

| Steve Nash (11)

| Rose Garden
20,650

| 15–11

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 27

| December 20

| Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20081220|id=DENPHX|pf=108|pa=101}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (27)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (10)

| Steve Nash (11)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 16–11

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 28

| December 25

| San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20081225|id=SASPHX|pf=90|pa=91}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (25)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (13)

| Steve Nash (8)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 16–12

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 29

| December 29

| @ Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20081229|id=PHXOKC|pf=110|pa=102}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (28)

| Shaquille O'Neal (12)

| Leandro Barbosa, Amar'e Stoudemire (5)

| Ford Center
19,136

| 17–12

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 30

| December 30

| @ Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20081230|id=PHXMEM|pf=101|pa=89}}

| Leandro Barbosa (28)

| Shaquille O'Neal (13)

| Matt Barnes (5)

| FedExForum
14,471

| 18–12

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|January|

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 4

| road_wins = 4

| road_losses = 4

}}

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 31

| January 2

| L.A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20090102|id=LACPHX|pf=106|pa=98}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (23)

| Shaquille O'Neal (9)

| Steve Nash (11)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 19–12

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 32

| January 7

| Indiana

| {{NBA game|date=20090107|id=INDPHX|pf=110|pa=113}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (23)

| Louis Amundson (14)

| Steve Nash (12)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 19–13

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 33

| January 9

| Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20090109|id=DALPHX|pf=128|pa=100}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (25)

| Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (12)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 20–13

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 34

| January 11

| @ L.A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20090111|id=PHXLAC|pf=109|pa=103}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (26)

| Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (12)

| Staples Center
17,307

| 21–13

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 35

| January 13

| Atlanta

| {{NBA game|date=20090113|id=ATLPHX|pf=107|pa=102}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (26)

| Matt Barnes, Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (6)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 22–13

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 36

| January 15

| @ Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20090115|id=PHXDEN|pf=113|pa=119|ot=1}}

| Grant Hill (25)

| Grant Hill, Amar'e Stoudemire (8)

| Steve Nash (14)

| Pepsi Center
18,073

| 22–14

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 37

| January 16

| Minnesota

| {{NBA game|date=20090116|id=MINPHX|pf=103|pa=105}}

| Shaquille O'Neal, Leandro Barbosa (22)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (6)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 22–15

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 38

| January 18

| @ Toronto

| {{NBA game|date=20090118|id=PHXTOR|pf=117|pa=113}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (31)

| Grant Hill (9)

| Steve Nash (18)

| Air Canada Centre
19,800

| 23–15

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 39

| January 19

| @ Boston

| {{NBA game|date=20090119|id=PHXBOS|pf=87|pa=104}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (16)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (8)

| TD Banknorth Garden
18,624

| 23–16

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 40

| January 21

| @ New York

| {{NBA game|date=20090121|id=PHXNYK|pf=109|pa=114}}

| Jason Richardson (27)

| Shaquille O'Neal (12)

| Steve Nash (19)

| Madison Square Garden
19,256

| 23–17

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 41

| January 23

| @ Charlotte

| {{NBA game|date=20090123|id=PHXCHA|pf=76|pa=98}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (20)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (9)

| Steve Nash (5)

| Time Warner Cable Arena
19,104

| 23–18

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 42

| January 25

| @ Atlanta

| {{NBA game|date=20090125|id=PHXATL|pf=104|pa=99}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (23)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (13)

| Philips Arena
19,153

| 24–18

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 43

| January 26

| @ Washington

| {{NBA game|date=20090126|id=PHXWAS|pf=103|pa=87}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (29)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (15)

| Steve Nash (15)

| Verizon Center
17,344

| 25–18

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 44

| January 29

| San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20090129|id=SASPHX|pf=104|pa=114}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (28)

| Amar'e Stoudemire, Grant Hill (10)

| Steve Nash (18)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 25–19

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 45

| January 31

| Chicago

| {{NBA game|date=20090131|id=CHIPHX|pf=111|pa=122}}

| Leandro Barbosa (32)

| Shaquille O'Neal (8)

| Steve Nash (10)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 25–20

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|February|

| home_wins = 6

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 4

}}

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 46

| February 2

| Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20090202|id=SACPHX|pf=129|pa=81}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (25)

| Shaquille O'Neal (9)

| Steve Nash (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 26–20

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 47

| February 4

| @ Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20090204|id=PHXGSW|pf=112|pa=124}}

| Jason Richardson (24)

| Shaquille O'Neal (12)

| Steve Nash (9)

| Oracle Arena
19,596

| 26–21

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 48

| February 6

| Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20090206|id=GSWPHX|pf=115|pa=105}}

| Grant Hill (27)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (15)

| Steve Nash (8)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 27–21

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 49

| February 8

| @ Detroit

| {{NBA game|date=20090208|id=PHXDET|pf=107|pa=97}}

| Jason Richardson (21)

| Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (21)

| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076

| 28–21

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 50

| February 9

| @ Philadelphia

| {{NBA game|date=20090209|id=PHXPHI|pf=91|pa=108}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (19)

| Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (8)

| Wachovia Center
16,797

| 28–22

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 51

| February 11

| @ Cleveland

| {{NBA game|date=20090211|id=PHXCLE|pf=92|pa=109}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (27)

| Amar'e Stoudemire, Shaquille O'Neal, Matt Barnes (6)

| Leandro Barbosa (7)

| Quicken Loans Arena
20,562

| 28–23

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 52

| February 17

| L.A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20090217|id=LACPHX|pf=140|pa=100}}

| Leandro Barbosa (24)

| Matt Barnes (9)

| Steve Nash (10)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 29–23

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 53

| February 18

| @ L.A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20090218|id=PHXLAC|pf=142|pa=119}}

| Amar'e Stoudemire (42)

| Amar'e Stoudemire (11)

| Steve Nash (12)

| Staples Center
18,169

| 30–23

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 54

| February 20

| Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20090220|id=OKCPHX|pf=140|pa=118}}

| Leandro Barbosa (41)

| Shaquille O'Neal (9)

| Matt Barnes (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 31–23

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 55

| February 22

| Boston

| {{NBA game|date=20090222|id=BOSPHX|pf=108|pa=128}}

| Jason Richardson (21)

| Shaquille O'Neal (6)

| Steve Nash (11)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 31–24

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 56

| February 24

| Charlotte

| {{NBA game|date=20090224|id=CHAPHX|pf=112|pa=102}}

| Steve Nash (22)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (5)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 32–24

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 57

| February 26

| @ L.A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20090226|id=PHXLAL|pf=106|pa=132}}

| Leandro Barbosa (18)

| Jared Dudley (8)

| Leandro Barbosa (7)

| Staples Center
18,997

| 32–25

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 58

| February 27

| Toronto

| {{NBA game|date=20090227|id=TORPHX|pf=133|pa=113}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (45)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Grant Hill (12)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 33–25

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|March|

| home_wins = 6

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 7

}}

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 59

| March 1

| L.A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20090301|id=LALPHX|pf=118|pa=111}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (33)

| Matt Barnes (10)

| Matt Barnes, Leandro Barbosa (7)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 34–25

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 60

| March 3

| @ Orlando

| {{NBA game|date=20090303|id=PHXORL|pf=99|pa=111}}

| Jason Richardson (27)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (8)

| Amway Arena
17,461

| 34–26

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 61

| March 4

| @ Miami

| {{NBA game|date=20090304|id=PHXMIA|pf=129|pa=135}}

| Steve Nash (29)

| Shaquille O'Neal (8)

| Steve Nash (10)

| American Airlines Arena
19,600

| 34–27

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 62

| March 6

| @ Houston

| {{NBA game|date=20090306|id=PHXHOU|pf=112|pa=116}}

| Steve Nash (32)

| Matt Barnes (9)

| Steve Nash (13)

| Toyota Center
18,045

| 34–28

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 63

| March 8

| @ San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20090308|id=PHXSAS|pf=98|pa=103}}

| Steve Nash (23)

| Grant Hill (8)

| Steve Nash (11)

| AT&T Center
18,797

| 34–29

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 64

| March 10

| Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20090310|id=DALPHX|pf=117|pa=122}}

| Steve Nash (23)

| Louis Amundson (9)

| Steve Nash (13)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 34–30

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 65

| March 12

| Cleveland

| {{NBA game|date=20090312|id=CLEPHX|pf=111|pa=119}}

| Matt Barnes (21)

| Jason Richardson, Shaquille O'Neal (7)

| Steve Nash (6)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 34–31

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 66

| March 14

| Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20090314|id=OKCPHX|pf=106|pa=95}}

| Leandro Barbosa (22)

| Jared Dudley (9)

| Steve Nash (8)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 35–31

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 67

| March 15

| @ Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20090315|id=PHXGSW|pf=154|pa=130}}

| Jason Richardson (31)

| Grant Hill (8)

| Matt Barnes (11)

| Oracle Arena
19,596

| 36–31

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 68

| March 18

| Philadelphia

| {{NBA game|date=20090318|id=PHIPHX|pf=126|pa=116}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (26)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (10)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 37–31

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 69

| March 21

| Washington

| {{NBA game|date=20090321|id=WASPHX|pf=128|pa=96}}

| Jason Richardson (35)

| Stromile Swift (12)

| Jared Dudley (6)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 38–31

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 70

| March 23

| Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20090323|id=DENPHX|pf=118|pa=115}}

| Grant Hill (23)

| Grant Hill (10)

| Steve Nash (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 39–31

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 71

| March 25

| Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20090325|id=UTAPHX|pf=118|pa=114}}

| Grant Hill (26)

| Shaquille O'Neal (12)

| Steve Nash (14)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 40–31

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 72

| March 26

| @ Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20090326|id=PHXPOR|pf=109|pa=129}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (20)

| Shaquille O'Neal (7)

| Steve Nash (5)

| Rose Garden
20,650

| 40–32

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 73

| March 28

| @ Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20090328|id=PHXUTA|pf=99|pa=104|ot=1}}

| Steve Nash (20)

| Shaquille O'Neal, Matt Barnes (10)

| Steve Nash (6)

| EnergySolutions Arena
19,911

| 40–33

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 74

| March 29

| @ Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20090329|id=PHXSAC|pf=118|pa=126}}

| Steve Nash (31)

| Jared Dudley (11)

| Steve Nash (14)

| ARCO Arena
13,623

| 40–34

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|April|

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 2

}}

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 75

| April 1

| Houston

| {{NBA game|date=20090401|id=HOUPHX|pf=114|pa=109}}

| Steve Nash (25)

| Shaquille O'Neal (10)

| Steve Nash (17)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 41–34

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 76

| April 3

| Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20090403|id=SACPHX|pf=139|pa=111}}

| Steve Nash (29)

| Matt Barnes (11)

| Steve Nash (9)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 42–34

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 77

| April 5

| @ Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20090405|id=PHXDAL|pf=116|pa=140}}

| Leandro Barbosa (24)

| Shaquille O'Neal (7)

| Steve Nash (8)

| American Airlines Center
20,301

| 42–35

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 78

| April 8

| @ New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20090408|id=PHXNOH|pf=105|pa=100}}

| Steve Nash (24)

| Shaquille O'Neal (11)

| Steve Nash (13)

| New Orleans Arena
17,781

| 43–35

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 79

| April 10

| @ Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20090410|id=PHXMEM|pf=89|pa=106}}

| Louis Amundson, Jason Richardson (13)

| Louis Amundson (9)

| Goran Dragić (7)

| FedExForum
15,908

| 43–36

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 80

| April 11

| @ Minnesota

| {{NBA game|date=20090411|id=PHXMIN|pf=110|pa=97}}

| Grant Hill (19)

| Robin Lopez (11)

| Goran Dragić (8)

| Target Center
18,478

| 44–36

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 81

| April 13

| Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20090413|id=MEMPHX|pf=119|pa=110}}

| Shaquille O'Neal (19)

| Jason Richardson, Grant Hill (8)

| Steve Nash (12)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 45–36

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 82

| April 15

| Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20090415|id=GSWPHX|pf=117|pa=113}}

| Grant Hill (27)

| Grant Hill (10)

| Steve Nash (12)

| US Airways Center
18,422

| 46–36

Player statistics

=Season=

style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| Player ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| GP ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| GS ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| MPG ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| FG% ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| 3P% ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| FT% ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| RPG ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| APG ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| SPG ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| BPG ! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" \| PPG
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Amundson, Louis\|Louis Amundson}}	76	0	13.7	.536	.000	.442	3.6	0.4	.4	.9	4.2
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Barbosa, Leandro\|Leandro Barbosa}}	70	11	24.4	.482	.375	.881	2.6	2.3	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 1.2	.1	14.2
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Barnes, Matt\|Matt Barnes}}	77	40	27.0	.423	.343	.743	5.5	2.8	.7	.3	10.2
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Bell, Raja\|Raja Bell}}*	22	22	32.4	.429	.468^	.762	2.9	1.3	.6	.1	9.6
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Brown, Dee\|Dee Brown}}*	2	0	14.0	.200	.250	1.000#	0.5	1.5	.0	.0	2.5
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Diaw, Boris\|Boris Diaw}}*	22	0	24.5	.567	.357	.692	3.8	2.1	.5	.4	8.3
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Dragic, Goran\|Goran Dragic}}	55	1	13.2	.393	.370	.769	1.9	2.0	.5	.1	4.5
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Dudley, Jared\|Jared Dudley}}*	48	0	15.2	.481	.394	.691	3.0	0.8	.8	.1	5.5
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Hill, Grant\|Grant Hill}}	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 82	68	29.8	.523	.316	.808	4.9	2.3	1.1	.7	12.0
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Lopez, Robin\|Robin Lopez}}	60	7	10.2	.518	.000	.691	2.0	0.1	.2	.7	3.2
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Nash, Steve\|Steve Nash}}	74	74	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 33.6+	.503	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| .439^	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| .933#	3.0	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 9.7	.7	.1	15.7
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|O'Neal, Shaquille\|Shaquille O'Neal}}	75	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 75	30.0	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| .609	.000	.595	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 8.4	1.7	.7	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 1.4	style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" \| 17.8+
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Richardson, Jason\|Jason Richardson}}*	58	57	33.1	.488	.383	.778	4.5	1.9	1.1	.4	16.4
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Sims, Courtney\|Courtney Sims}}*	1	0	2.0	.	.	.	0.0	0.0	.0	.0	2.0
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Singletary, Sean\|Sean Singletary}}*	13	1	9.4	.324	.400	1.000#	1.2	0.9	.5	.0	2.6
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Stoudemire, Amar'e\|Amar'e Stoudemire}}	53	53	36.8+	.539	.429	.835	8.1	2.0	.9	1.1	21.4+
align="center" bgcolor="" \| {{sort\|Swift, Stromile\|Stromile Swift}}*	13	0	9.3	.366	1.000^	.533	2.5	0.2	.3	.5	3.0
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| {{sort\|Tucker, Alando\|Alando Tucker}}	30	1	9.4	.430	.348	.788	1.0	0.4	.2	.0	4.6

* – Stats with the Suns.

+ – Minimum 70 games played or 2000 minutes, 1400 points.

^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.

# – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Awards and records

=Awards=

O'Neal was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

==Week/Month==

Stoudemire was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for Nov. 3–9.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/stat_pow_081110.html SUNS: Stoudemire Named Western Conference Player of the Week], Suns.com, November 2, 2008.
Stoudemire has been named the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award for October.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/stoudemire_081125.html SUNS: Stoudemire Receives Community Assist Award for October], Suns.com, November 25, 2008.

==All-Star==

Stoudemire was voted to his 4th NBA All-Star Game as a starter.Stefan Swiat, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/allstar09_stoudemire_090122.html SUNS: Stoudemire Named All-Star Starter for the West], Suns.com, January 22, 2009.
O'Neal was named to his 15th career NBA All-Star Game in 17 seasons.[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/allstar09_shaq_090129.html SUNS: Shaquille O'Neal Named NBA All-Star], Suns.com, January 29, 2008.
O'Neal was named the 2009 NBA All-Star MVP with former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Transactions

=Trades=

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align: center; width: 100%" bordercolor="#DFDFDF" cellpadding="5"

bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | June 26, 2008

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Phoenix Suns

----Draft rights to Goran Dragić

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To San Antonio Spurs

----Draft rights to Malik Hairston

:2009 second-round pick

:cash considerations

bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | August 25, 2008

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Phoenix Suns

----Sean Singletary

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Houston Rockets

----D. J. Strawberry

bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | December 10, 2008Stefan Swiat, [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/trade_081210.html SUNS: Suns Trade for Richardson, Dudley and 2010 Second-Round Pick], Suns.com, December 10, 2008.

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Phoenix Suns

----Jason Richardson

:Jared Dudley

:2010 second-round pick

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Charlotte Bobcats

----Raja Bell

:Boris Diaw

:Sean Singletary

=Free agents=

==Additions==

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| style="width:140px"\|Player	style="width:70px"\|Signed	style="width:210px"\|Former team
style="height:40px" \| Matt Barnes	style="font-size: 80%"\|July 22	Golden State Warriors
style="height:40px" \| Louis Amundson	style="font-size: 80%"\|August 14	Philadelphia 76ers
style="height:40px" \| Dee Brown[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/deebrown_081224.html SUNS: Suns Add Dee Brown], Suns.com, December 24, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|December 24	Washington Wizards

==Subtractions==

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| style="width:140px"\|Player	style="width:70px"\|Left	style="width:210px"\|New team
style="height:40px" \| Eric Piatkowski	style="font-size: 80%"\|July 1	free agent
style="height:40px" \| Brian Skinner[http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/bskinner_080731.html CLIPPERS: Clippers Sign Free Agent Brian Skinner], Clippers.com, July 31, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|July 31	Los Angeles Clippers
style="height:40px" \| Gordan Giriček[http://www.fenerbahce.org/eng/detay.asp?ContentID=1966 Gordan Giricek joins Fenerbahce], Fenerbahnce.org, August 19, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|August 19	Fenerbahçe Ülker
style="height:40px" \| Sean Marks[http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/Hornets_Sign_Sean_Marks-281205-31.html HORNETS: Hornets Sign Sean Marks], Hornets.com, August 28, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|August 28	New Orleans Hornets
style="height:40px" \| Linton Johnson[http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_sign_johnson_081028.html BOBCATS: Bobcats Sign Linton Johnson III] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031161434/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_sign_johnson_081028.html \|date=2008-10-31 }}, Bobcats.com, October 28, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|October 28	Charlotte Bobcats
style="height:40px" \| Dee Brown[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/dbrown_090106.html SUNS: Suns Release Dee Brown], Suns.com, January 6, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|January 6	free agent

References

Category:Phoenix Suns seasons

Phoenix

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| style="width:140px"\|Player	style="width:70px"\|Signed	style="width:210px"\|Former team
style="height:40px" \| Matt Barnes	style="font-size: 80%"\|July 22	Golden State Warriors
style="height:40px" \| Louis Amundson	style="font-size: 80%"\|August 14	Philadelphia 76ers
style="height:40px" \| Dee Brown[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/deebrown_081224.html SUNS: Suns Add Dee Brown], Suns.com, December 24, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|December 24	Washington Wizards

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| style="width:140px"\|Player	style="width:70px"\|Left	style="width:210px"\|New team
style="height:40px" \| Eric Piatkowski	style="font-size: 80%"\|July 1	free agent
style="height:40px" \| Brian Skinner[http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/bskinner_080731.html CLIPPERS: Clippers Sign Free Agent Brian Skinner], Clippers.com, July 31, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|July 31	Los Angeles Clippers
style="height:40px" \| Gordan Giriček[http://www.fenerbahce.org/eng/detay.asp?ContentID=1966 Gordan Giricek joins Fenerbahce], Fenerbahnce.org, August 19, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|August 19	Fenerbahçe Ülker
style="height:40px" \| Sean Marks[http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/Hornets_Sign_Sean_Marks-281205-31.html HORNETS: Hornets Sign Sean Marks], Hornets.com, August 28, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|August 28	New Orleans Hornets
style="height:40px" \| Linton Johnson[http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_sign_johnson_081028.html BOBCATS: Bobcats Sign Linton Johnson III] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031161434/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_sign_johnson_081028.html \|date=2008-10-31 }}, Bobcats.com, October 28, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|October 28	Charlotte Bobcats
style="height:40px" \| Dee Brown[http://www.nba.com/suns/news/dbrown_090106.html SUNS: Suns Release Dee Brown], Suns.com, January 6, 2008.	style="font-size: 80%"\|January 6	free agent

2008–09 Phoenix Suns season

Key dates

Offseason

=NBA draft=

Roster

Regular season

=Standings=

=Game log=

Player statistics

=Season=

Awards and records

=Awards=

==Week/Month==

==All-Star==

Transactions

=Trades=

=Free agents=

==Additions==

==Subtractions==

See also

References