Phoenix, Arizona

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Phoenix was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers and was incorporated as a city in 1881. It became the capital of Arizona Territory in 1889. Its canal system led to a thriving farming community with crops such as alfalfa, cotton, citrus, and hay remaining important parts of the local economy for decades. Cotton, cattle, citrus, climate, and copper were known locally as the "Five C's" anchoring Phoenix's economy. These remained the driving forces of the city until after World War II, when high-tech companies began to move into the valley and air conditioning made Phoenix's hot summers more bearable. The city averaged a four percent annual population growth rate over a 40-year period from the mid-1960s to the mid-2000s, and was among the nation's ten most populous cities by 1980.

In Their Own Story

The Hohokam people occupied the Phoenix area for 2,000 years. They created roughly 135 miles of irrigation canals, making the desert land arable, and paths of these canals were used for the Arizona Canal, Central Arizona Project Canal, and the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct. It is believed periods of drought and severe floods between 1300 and 1450 led to the Hohokam civilization's abandonment of the area. After their departure, groups of Akimel O'odham, Tohono O'odham, and Maricopa tribes began to use the area. The history of modern Phoenix begins with Jack Swilling, a Confederate veteran who saw potential for farming in the Salt River Valley in 1867. He formed the Swilling Irrigation and Canal Company that year, dug a large canal, and erected several crop fields. Lord Darrell Duppa suggested the name "Phoenix", as it described a city born from the ruins of a former civilization. The board of supervisors in Yavapai County officially recognized the new town on May 4, 1868.

Reader's Guide

Phoenix is the cultural center of Arizona. It is in the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert and is known for its hot desert climate. The region's gross domestic product reached over $362 billion by 2022. Phoenix is also one of the largest plurality Hispanic cities in the United States, with 42% of its population being Hispanic. The city's downtown core was established in a grid layout pattern in December 1870, which has been the hallmark of Phoenix's urban development ever since. The Territorial Legislature passed the Phoenix Charter Bill, incorporating Phoenix and providing a mayor-council government; Governor John C. Fremont signed the bill on February 25, 1881, officially incorporating Phoenix as a city with a population of around 2,500. On February 14, 1912, Phoenix became a state capital, as Arizona was admitted to the Union as the 48th state under President William Howard Taft.

Did You Know?

• Phoenix was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers.
• The city was named by Lord Darrell Duppa, who suggested 'Phoenix' as it described a city born from the ruins of a former civilization.
• Phoenix became the capital of Arizona Territory in 1889 and then a state capital on February 14, 1912, when Arizona was admitted as the 48th state.
• The Hohokam people created roughly 135 miles of irrigation canals in the Phoenix area over 2,000 years.
• Phoenix is the fifth-most populous city in the United States with over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census.

The Historic Regular Season Surge

The 2020–21 season flipped the script for the franchise in its 53rd NBA year and 28th at Footprint Center. They finished 51–21—a pace matching 58 wins on a full schedule—which snapped a ten-year playoff drought. This comeback showed what happens when team chemistry and smart management take hold, even during the tough disruptions of the pandemic era.

A Run to the NBA Finals

The Suns' playoff journey was nothing short of spectacular as they dismantled formidable opponents en route to their first NBA Finals appearance in twenty-eight years. In the opening round, they defeated the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games before sweeping the Denver Nuggets in four contests during the Western Conference semifinals. Their path continued through the conference finals against Chris Paul's former team, the Clippers, whom they overcame in six hard-fought battles. Despite reaching the pinnacle of the sport and taking a commanding 2–0 series lead against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Suns ultimately fell short, losing the championship series in six games. This run reestablished Phoenix as a serious contender on the national stage after years of rebuilding.

Individual Brilliance and Awards

Devin Booker emerged as the undisputed leader of this resurgence, earning multiple accolades that highlighted his elite scoring ability. He secured his first Player of the Week award in February with exceptional shooting splits and a perfect win record for that span, becoming the first Suns player to do so since Goran Dragic. Booker followed this up with a second weekly honor just days later, averaging over 33 points per game. His consistent dominance led to his first-ever Player of the Month award for February, where he paced the Western Conference in scoring while leading the team to their best monthly record in history. Meanwhile, head coach Monty Williams also received recognition, winning Coach of the Month for March after guiding the squad through a critical four-game winning streak.

Organizational Turmoil and Stability

Behind the scenes, the franchise navigated significant personnel changes and economic hardships exacerbated by the global pandemic. The off-season saw the dismissal of thirty employees deemed redundant, followed later by another wave of furloughs and pay cuts due to recessionary pressures. Leadership shifts included the departure of assistant coaches Steve Blake and Larry Greer during the bubble period, prompting hires like Brian Randle and Kevin Young to stabilize the staff. Amidst these challenges, co-owner Richard J. Heckmann passed away in late 2020. Despite this internal volatility and financial strain, the organization maintained focus on the court.