Rising Suns have high hopes after dethroning champion Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Phoenix Suns were one of the NBA’s most consistent winners during the decades on either side of the turn of the century. A parching decade of postseason drought in the Valley of the Sun drained much of the fun out of this franchise – until this season, when Chris Paul arrived to guide Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and a lively supporting cast to the playoffs. ”These guys over here are battle-tested,” Booker said after scoring 47 points in the Suns’ clinching victory over the Lakers on Thursday night.