SUNS TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME

Hardwood Classics “Retro” Uniforms to Debut This Friday

PHOENIX – Fans will likely do a double-take when the Suns take the court versus the New York Knicks this Friday (December 9) at U·S Airways Center. That’s because the team will be donning Hardwood Classics “retro” uniforms, featuring the look familiar to Suns fans for two decades.

The uniform, which was used from 1973-92, features letters and numbers in western-style font and a sunburst on the side of the shorts. The Suns decided to go with the road purple uniform rather than the home white because it reflects the moniker attached to the club during those years by broadcasting legend Al McCoy – the Purple Gang from Phoenix – which became synonymous with the team.

Over the years, many Suns greats played in the uniform, including every player in the Suns Ring of Honor, from Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins to Charles Barkley (yes, Charles wore the uniform for eight games during the 1992-93 pre-season).

“The uniforms are a fun way to turn back the clock and pay tribute to a rich part of the franchise’s history,” said Ray Artigue, Suns’ senior vice president of marketing communications.

The Suns, one of 11 teams sporting Hardwood Classics uniforms this season, will wear the uniform seven times during the regular season: December 9 vs. the Knicks, February 22 vs. Boston Celtics, March 3 vs. the Orlando Magic, March 9 vs. the San Antonio Spurs, April 2 at the Detroit Pistons, April 16 at the LA Lakers and April 17 vs. the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

The February 22 game versus the Boston Celtics will commemorate the 30^th anniversary of what has been called “the greatest game ever played” when the Suns and the Celtics took Game Five of the 1975-76 NBA Finals into a thrilling triple-overtime.

Fans can turn back the clock with their own retro merchandise available at The Team Shop beginning Friday night. Tickets to Friday’s game versus the Knicks, which tips-off at 8 PM, can be purchased online at SUNS.COM, by phone at 1-800-4-NBA-TIX, at the U·S Airways Center box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

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