Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams kept his door open for his players after allegations of racism and misogyny against Suns governor Robert Sarver became public.

Per Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Williams said:

"They know the door was open for them to come talk to me about anything if they needed to, and we did — there were private conversations. We've said wins and losses and nothing will affect our culture. That's how we approach it. That doesn't mean we aren't aware of the allegations and all of that stuff, but we just kept it moving as far as our culture, but we also were aware that there was some serious business being handled, and the league was going to take care of it."

Baxter Holmes of ESPN reported on the allegations after interviewing more than 70 former and current Suns employees who have interacted with Sarver during his 17-year tenure as team governor.

"The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale," one Suns co-owner said. "It's embarrassing as an owner."

Holmes' report detailed "a toxic and sometimes hostile workplace under Sarver" in which he "used racially insensitive language repeatedly." Some of the sources said Sarver "fostered an environment in which employees felt they were his property" and engaged in "conduct they felt was inappropriate and misogynistic."

Vardon reported Williams and general manager James Jones met with the players as a group after ESPN's report came out.

"We have a communicative group," star guard Devin Booker told Vardon. "We talk to each other a lot. We keep everything in house. It's a tight-knit group. We speak on everything, and we share with each other how we feel about it, and nobody else finds out how we feel about things."

The open communication seems to have helped the team on the court.

Phoenix is 15-3 and on a 14-game winning streak after Wednesday's victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It has the second-best record in the NBA behind the 16-2 Golden State Warriors and looks like a title contender again after losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals last season.

Next up for the Suns is a road game against the New York Knicks on Friday.         

Former NBA point guard Deron Williams said he's "a little jealous" Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul is still competing at a high level.

Williams, who's preparing for a Dec. 18 boxing match against longtime NFL running back Frank Gore, was the third overall selection in the 2005 NBA draft. Paul was taken one pick later.

The 37-year-old University of Illinois product last stepped on an NBA court during the 2016-17 campaign, while his 36-year-old counterpart is still a key member of a Suns squad that reached the Finals last season.

"I'm a little jealous he's still out there shining," Williams told TMZ Sports. "And, you know, it's fun to watch. He's a special player, one of the best to ever do it, and he's defied time."

The three-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist said his "ship has sailed" in terms of playing in the NBA, but he's happy Paul continues to defy Father Time on the court.

"Seems like every team he goes to he makes them instantly better because there's nobody who predicted the Suns to be in the Finals last year," Williams said. "He was a huge part of that."

Paul was a driving force in the Suns' trip to the Finals, averaging 19.2 points and 8.6 assists across 20 playoff games, but Phoenix ultimately came up short against the Milwaukee Bucks.

After the championship series ended, the four-time All-NBA First Team selection made it clear retirement wasn't even remotely on his mind.

"It will take a while to process this or whatnot, but it's same mentality," Paul told reporters. "Get back to work. I ain't retiring, if that's what you're asking. That's out. So, back to work."

He's proceeded to average 14.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals while helping the Suns surge to a 12-3 start to the 2021-22 season.

Williams put together a strong career in his own right to give himself an outside chance at the Basketball Hall of Fame, but Paul will be a first-ballot selection whenever his playing days come to an end.

The streaking Phoenix Suns stayed hot Wednesday, earning their 10th consecutive victory with a 105-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks at home. It's their first 10-game win streak since 2010

Devin Booker had 24 points to lead the way for Phoenix, which has the fourth-ranked offense in the NBA. The Suns improved to 11-3 with the victory.

Devin Booker. Clutch in the fourth quarter 🔥 https://t.co/K5XPlwgiaG

— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 18, 2021

The Mavericks, who entered the game having won five of their last six games, fell to 9-5. Tim Hardaway Jr. had a team-high 22 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 21.

Star point guard Luka Doncic sat out for Dallas as he nursed left ankle and knee sprains suffered in Monday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

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Notable Player Stats

G Devin Booker, PHX: 24 points, 9 rebounds

C Deandre Ayton, PHX: 19 points, 13 rebounds

G Chris Paul: 7 points (2-for-12 FG), 14 assists

G Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL: 22 points

F Kristaps Porzingis, DAL: 21 points

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Suns Wake Up in Fourth Quarter

It took a while for Phoenix to get going, but the defending Western Conference champion showed its resiliency in the fourth quarter.

The Suns had struggled from three-point range through the first three quarters, making just eight of their 31 attempts (25.8 percent). They fell behind by as many as eight points in the third quarter. Things turned around in the final frame as Phoenix went 5-for-8 from three in the fourth.

Two Cam Johnson 3-point attempts.

Two Cam Johnson makes.

Suns back within 1

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) November 18, 2021

Chris Paul struggled all night, starting 0-for-9 from the field. But he continued orchestrating the offense with seven of his 14 assists coming in the fourth quarter, including this beauty to Deandre Ayton.

JUST... HOW?! pic.twitter.com/mnKdQ5KRJb

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 18, 2021

The game was tied at 96 with two and a half minutes left, but the Suns closed the game on a 9-2 run to secure the win.

Phoenix had the luxury of facing a Dallas team that was without its closer in Doncic. A fourth quarter surge is great, but the Suns would have had an easier time had they started the game with the same focus and efficiency.

Still, a comeback win is something Phoenix can build on going forward. The team showed grit and toughness to put away the scrappy Mavericks. With this 10-game win streak, the Suns are showing that last year's trip to the NBA Finals was no fluke and they are still among the top teams in the West.

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Mavericks' Three-Point Shooting Keeps Them in the Game

With Doncic out of the lineup, the Mavericks needed their role players to produce on Wednesday, and they did just that. Thanks to some efficient shooting from beyond the arc, Dallas kept the game close and even had Phoenix against the ropes at times.

THJ is heatin' up 🔥@dallasmavs | #MFFL | @T_HardJR pic.twitter.com/LEbmga0EPq

— FanDuel Sports Network Southwest (@FanDuelSN_SW) November 18, 2021

3-ball, corner pocket 🎱 pic.twitter.com/Dk3vEvjikM

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 18, 2021

👑 FRANKI3 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/zB8YTulb6a

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 18, 2021

Dallas shot 8-for-17 from three-point range in the first half. A hot start to the third quarter helped the Mavericks build an eight-point lead before the Suns closed the gap. The Mavs went 7-for-11 from deep in the third quarter alone.

Frank Ntilikina (13 points) and Trey Burke (10 points) were surprising contributors and combined to shoot 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.

Frank is applying 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 👑 pic.twitter.com/MEbDoK34OK

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 18, 2021

Mavericks are shooting 13-of-45 (28.8%) on 2s but 15-of-28 (53.6%) on 3s.

That's enough to be up 5 at the moment. Check back in on those numbers for the 4th.

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) November 18, 2021

But the Suns ran the Mavericks off the line in the fourth quarter, allowing just four three-point attempts and Dallas connected on just one of those shots. The Mavericks were outscored 37-25 in the final period.

It can't be expected that the Mavericks will shoot 50 percent from three-point land every night, but Wednesday's performance should be a confidence booster for the team's role players. If Dallas can continue to get contributions from players not named Doncic or Porzingis, it would take the pressure off the two top stars and open up the flow of the offense.

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What's Next?

The Suns will go for their 11th straight win Friday in a rematch against the Mavericks, who will be looking to bounce back and put an end to their streak.

Representatives from the law firm investigating Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver reached out to team employees to assure them they can receive confidentiality, according to ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

The NBA announced Nov. 4 that it was bringing in Wachtell Lipton to look into allegations against Sarver and wider organizational concerns levied in a report by Holmes.

Among other things, Sarver allegedly "used racially insensitive language repeatedly in the office" and behaved in an inappropriate manner both toward and around employees.

Sarver issued a denial in advance of the report and followed up after it published to say he "continue[d] to be shocked by the false reporting by Baxter Holmes."

The NBA is expected to soon launch an investigation into the allegations reported today by ESPN’s @baxter Holmes against Suns majority owner Robert Sarver … and Sarver just issued a statement in response that closes by essentially acknowledging an investigation is forthcoming: pic.twitter.com/xJswSUl3vR

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 4, 2021

Beyond directly implicating Sarver, Holmes also wrote how those who worked for the Suns didn't feel comfortable expressing any workplace-related issues with the necessary parties.

A current staffer said that the human resources department was "the last place you go." Multiple employees also said they didn't alert HR to any complaints because of potential retaliation.

After his initial story was released, Holmes reported Robert's wife, Penny, reached out to at least three former Suns employees and that "they consider the messages an attempt to intimidate them."

"If something happens to one of my children, I will hold you and [former head coach] Earl Watson personally responsible," Penny Sarver wrote in one such exchange. "Think about your own child for a second and imagine the tables turned."

Penny denied the messages were intended to be threatening and that the idea was "as silly as it is wrong and outrageous."

Along with explaining how employees can withhold their identities from the findings, Holmes reported the Wachtell Lipton attorneys indicated the investigation "would take time." A resolution may not be on the horizon.

After seemingly accusing Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver of using racist language toward Deandre Ayton during contract negotiations, ESPN's Jalen Rose has apologized and clarified his past comments.

Rose is currently out of the country but provided a statement through Stephen A. Smith on NBA Countdown Wednesday:

We want to clarify a comment that was made on this program last Friday. When we were discussing the Robert Sarver controversy, Jalen Rose made a comment that, ‘When it's time to pay Deandre Ayton, and you're calling him a lazy N-word, what's going to now happen is it's going to affect your product on the floor.'

As mentioned previously, Jalen is out of the country this week. But he wants us to make clear that he did not mean to suggest that Sarver actually spoke those words. And to be clear, ESPN has never reported that Sarver used those words to describe Deandre Ayton. Jalen used those words to try to express his personal opinion that the way Sarver handled Ayton's contract situation was demeaning to a black player and would be perceived that way by other black players.

Jalen recognizes it was a mistake, and we apologize for the miscommunication.

Rose initially made the comments during a Nov. 5 episode of NBA Countdown.

It came during a segment discussing the allegations that Sarver has overseen a toxic and hostile workplace and has repeatedly used racist and misogynistic language, as reported by ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

"You know, why does Draymond Green get to run up the court and say [N-word]," Sarver allegedly told former Suns coach Earl Watson.

Rose referenced that story while discussing a hypothetical discussion with Ayton in an argument that players wouldn't want to play for the Suns as a result of the owner's actions.

Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, but the two sides were unable to work out an extension to keep him in Phoenix. He will now become a restricted free agent next offseason.

The 23-year-old was seeking a max deal, which would have been worth $172.5 million extension over five years, but the talks never advanced to the Suns making a formal offer, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst.

The NBA has launched an independent investigation into Sarver's conduct.

Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt and Jon Wertheim obtained and released a nine-plus-minute video of Phoenix Suns governor Robert Sarver—whom the NBA is currently investigating over allegations of racist and misogynistic behavior and creating a toxic workplace environment—doing a memorial roast of former minority governor Dick Heckmann, who died in October 2020 of complications from a degenerative disease.

In his speech, Sarver shared a number of sexually explicit stories and jokes.

In one excerpt, he said of Heckmann's sons: "We just bought the team in June of 2004. My biggest concerns were ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, trying to sign some players, getting a winning record—what I really know is my biggest concern was the Heckmann boys were f--king their way through the cheerleading team."

Prewitt and Wertheim noted the roast was in keeping with Heckmann's wishes, and his wife Wendy told them that Sarver's remarks were in the spirit of the event and did not offend her.

"It was a roast—that's what my husband wanted," she said. "He wanted everybody to laugh at his expense, basically, and tell funny stories, and that's what everybody did."

Sarver also said that "Dick was chasing everything that moved in Scottsdale. And speaking of—someone said he left his DNA. He did leave his DNA in Steve Nash's socks somewhere in the locker room."

At one point, Sarver made fun of someone in the crowd who wasn't paying attention to his speech and instead was using his phone.

"This guy's got a make-believe deal going on over here at f--king three in the morning," he said. "You merging on a SPAC, or you lining up a hooker over there? What are you doing? It's a goddamn memorial service. F--king idiot, Jesus Christ. I'm gonna guess his receptionist has small tits. But, he has no idea; he's just drinking his wine."

Sarver then addressed Heckmann's family, joking: "Look at how good you guys all turned out. I never would have believed it, to be honest with you. I mean, you're married . You got kids. You got a family. You got a business. You're making money. It's a f--king miracle, really. Compared to where you guys started 17 years ago, it's unbelievable. Yeah, I mean we're lucky we still own the franchise. In today's environment, we'd have lost it a long time ago."

Given the NBA's current investigation into Sarver, that last sentiment might be put to the test.

ESPN's Baxter Holmes interviewed 70 current and former employees of the Suns during Sarver's time at the helm, hearing testimonies of the team governor using the N-word and other racially insensitive and misogynistic language.

"The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale,"  a team co-governor told Baxter regarding Sarver. "It's embarrassing as an owner."

Wendy responded to those allegations.

"That is not the Robert that I know," she said. "Robert is a really good person and I've never heard him say anything derogatory or anything with any kind of racial flair or any kind of sexist flair or anything—he's never done that in my presence."

Three former employees of the Phoenix Suns told ESPN's Baxter Holmes they received messages from Penny Sarver, the wife of team majority partner Robert Sarver, amid an NBA investigation into allegations of a toxic and hostile workplace culture under Sarver. 

The former employees told Holmes "they consider the messages an attempt to intimidate them."

Penny Sarver commented on the messages:

Over the weekend, I decided on my own to reach out to a few people to try to set the record straight and to share how disappointed and hurt I am by the lies that are circulating about my husband and the Suns organization. I shared the betrayal that I felt and I touched on some of the pain that we are going through as a family. Any suggestion that I tried to 'intimidate' anyone is as silly as it is wrong and outrageous.

Per that report, two of the messages came from Penny Sarver's Instagram account, and one was a text message. 

In one of the messages, she wrote: "I know a lot of bridges were burned between you and Robert and you are very bitter. I want to remind you that real lives are at stake here."

She added in that message: "Please put your hatred aside and realize the hurt you are causing by spreading lies and fabrications. Is your time in the spotlight that important? If something happens to one of my children, I will hold you and Earl Watson personally responsible. Think about your own child for a second and imagine the tables turned."

"I don't know how to interpret it other than as a threat," one of the former employees who received a message said of its contents.

Another message read, in part: "You are such a liar. In your trying to destroy my husband with [your] lies—you have destroyed my family and children."

The NBA is investigating Robert Sarver after Holmes interviewed over 70 current and former Suns employees from Sarver's 17-year stewardship as team governor. Amongst the allegations are that Sarver used the N-word or other racially insensitive language on more than one occasion, along with misogynistic and sexually inappropriate language, and oversaw a toxic workplace culture.

"The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale," a team co-owner told Holmes. "It's embarrassing as an owner." 

"There's literally nothing you could tell me about him from a misogynistic or race standpoint that would surprise me," a former team executive added.

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is out for Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks because of a leg injury, according to Duane Rankin of AZCentral.com.

The 23-year-old was held out of Phoenix's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a right leg contusion. He appeared to have suffered the injury last week against the Cleveland Cavaliers when he exited the game in the third quarter and didn't return.

After being drafted No. 1 overall by Phoenix in 2018, Ayton has established himself as one of the NBA's best young big men. Through six games this season, he is averaging 14.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists per game, while shooting 58.5 percent from the field.

The Arizona product was a key part of the Suns' run to the NBA Finals last season, averaging 15.8 points and 11.8 rebounds on 65.8 percent shooting in the 2021 postseason. 

Despite his strong performance in the playoffs, Ayton and Phoenix were unable to come to an agreement on a rookie contract extension before the Oct. 18 deadline. He will be a restricted free agent after this season.

With Ayton out, veteran center JaVale McGee will likely step into the starting lineup. The 33-year-old is averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game this season.

Second-year big man Jalen Smith could see some more playing time. Power forward Frank Kaminsky may also be asked to fill in at center.

Phoenix Suns stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker said they'll remain focused on basketball while the NBA investigates allegations of misogyny, use of racist language and slurs and other forms of misconduct against team governor Robert Sarver.

ESPN's Baxter Holmes spoke with more than 70 current and former members of the Suns organization for an article published Thursday, which spotlighted allegations of a toxic workplace environment created by Sarver during his 17 years owning the franchise.

NBA executive vice president of communications Mike Bass released a statement about the league's next steps:

The allegations contained in today's ESPN article are extremely serious, and we have directed the Wachtell Lipton law firm to commence a comprehensive investigation. The NBA and WNBA remain committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees. Once the investigation is completed, its findings will provide the basis for any league action.

The Suns' game against the Houston Rockets moved forward as scheduled Thursday night. Phoenix scored a 123-111 win.

Afterward, Paul told reporters their focus will be to "play for one another" because the process is out of their control:

I've been through a few situations in my time in the league. The powers that be, they look into it. They do their investigations or whatnot, but I think the biggest thing that I've learned through all these years is that us as a team, we've got to talk. It's not about what everybody else is saying or everybody else is telling you to do or you should do. It's about how we feel as a team, as a unit, coaching staff, everybody within the organization.

Paul was with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 when recordings were released of then-governor Donald Sterling making racist comments. Sterling was banned for life from the NBA, and his family sold the team to current governor Steve Ballmer.

He added the "situations are different" and he doesn't know all of the details about the allegations against Sarver, so the team will "continue to play and do what we do."

Booker said he's never witnessed examples of any of the allegations made within the ESPN article, but he's hopeful the NBA's investigation can "find out the truth":

In my seven years that I've been here, I haven't noticed that, but that doesn't make me insensitive to the subject. I think the NBA opened an investigation, and they're going to do their due diligence of bringing out facts instead of 'he said, she said.' I'm sure the NBA has it in good hands and will do the proper research to find out the truth.

Booker called the Suns a "close-knit team that sticks together" and said he's confident they'll be able to focus on basketball until the situation reaches a resolution.

Phoenix head coach Monty Williams also commented on the situation, saying he wouldn't have stayed in the job if he had witnessed or heard anything like the allegations made against Sarver:

As someone who is the caretaker of a program, I find all these things that are being said serious in nature. It takes courage to come out and express yourself. But at the same time, I'm aware there are two sides to this equation. ... We still have to wait to see how clear the facts can appear.

The NBA didn't provide a timetable to complete the investigation.

Phoenix's schedule resumes Saturday when it hosts the Atlanta Hawks.

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams addressed the numerous allegations of racism and misogyny made against team owner Robert Sarver on Thursday night.

"As someone who is the caretaker of a program, I find all these things that are being said serious in nature," Williams told reporters. "It takes courage to come out and express yourself. But at the same time, I'm aware there are two sides to this equation. ... We still have to wait to see how clear the facts can appear."

Suns coach Monty Williams on the ESPN report this morning alleging racist and misogynistic behavior by Suns owner Robert Sarver pic.twitter.com/C6o3MRpv6E

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 5, 2021

Monty Williams says he hasn’t spoken to Robert Sarver since the story came out this morning.

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 5, 2021

Williams added that he spoke to Chris Paul about the matter, and that "as far as Chris is concerned, I think he probably feels the same way. I can't speak for him."

Earlier Thursday, ESPN's Baxter Holmes released a story that recounted numerous instances of racism, misogyny and sexually inappropriate language from Sarver and detailed Sarver's creation of a toxic workplace culture. Holmes interviewed over 70 current and former employees with the team from the past 17 years.

"The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale," a Suns co-owner told Holmes. "It's embarrassing as an owner."

"There's literally nothing you could tell me about him from a misogynistic or race standpoint that would surprise me," a former Suns basketball executive added.

Statement from Raptors assistant coach Earl Watson re: Suns, Robert Sarver: pic.twitter.com/gzyfuxyxrz

— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) November 4, 2021

Sarver and the Suns have denied the allegations:

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1456356967794970624

"I've never called anyone or any group of people the N-word, or referred to anyone or any group of people by the N-word, either verbally or in writing," Sarver said in a statement. "I don't use that word. It is abhorrent and ugly and denigrating and against everything I believe in."

The NBA is investigating the allegations:

NBA statement on Robert Sarver, announcing an investigation pic.twitter.com/1AQzl3iAKe

— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) November 4, 2021

NBPA statement (cont’d) “ We will defer any further comments until that process has been concluded.”

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) November 4, 2021

Williams noted that the allegations in Holmes' piece took place before he became head coach. 

"If any of that stuff happened while I was here, I wouldn't be in this seat," he said. "The league is doing an investigation, and we'll know more obviously once that is settled."