Phoenix. Sign in to your account to access your Phoenix Suns tickets. "The Phoenix Suns were managing a COVID-19 outbreak as their season fell apart, multiple sources told The Athletic, with six individuals including one player testing positive either late. We probably need to start thinking about, are people going to get a booster ahead of next season? Instead of that being something thats just in the back of the organizations mind, they have already been heavily discussing those changes and are fully open to them. For the safety of our guests, Footprint Center does not permit the following items into the arena: Banners must be flame-retardant, hand-held, and not cause disturbance to other guest. Phoenix beat the Lakers without Anthony Davis, the Denver Nuggets without Jamal Murray and the Los Angeles Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. Some people have chosen not to. If it did anything it gave us the opportunity to be confident that we would be ready to go by next season, he said. (Kellan Olson/Arizona Sports). Since the start of the 2022 postseason, there have been some high-profile cases of key players and coaches missing games due to COVID-19. Due to some events having different item restrictions, please contact the arena for more information at [email protected]. The arena transformation features touchless restroom facilities (sinks, paper towel dispensers, toilets, urinals). NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Were talking about a disease that doesnt just impact life and death, but this is a disease that potentially spreads rapidly throughout a population, Sikka said. The health and safety of fans, staff, players and officials remains the utmost priority for the organization as it moves from 1,500 fan capacity to 3,000. Masks: Wearing masks will be mandatory for entry and must be worn at all times unless actively eating and drinking and only in ticketed seats. May 26, 2020, 7:07 PM | Updated: 9:40 pm, Suns president Jason Rowley and general manager James Jones preview the progress made on renovations to Talking Stick Resort Arena. card. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Capacity had been reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a jump to 5,000 fans allowed per game on March 31. If any seats remain, non-members outside of the presale list will have access to floor seats at 3 p.m. MT. The closest thing Phoenix has to a box-office hero is Booker, who is comfortable in his role as a silent assassin. of the Western Conference Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 28 . reported The Athletics Sam Amick and Joe Vardon. Detailed in Visitor Guide A-Z Banners/Signs section. The others who tested positive were support staffers. The proposal to allow fans into the Phoenix Suns Arena, albeit with restrictions, was approved by the City of Phoenix on Feb. 2, and while the Suns are getting ready, frustrations are growing for . Phoenix Suns Arena: Phoenix Suns Arena Capacity: 18,055 What we know: The Suns will be welcoming 16,000 fans to their arena, beginning in Game 5 against the Lakers. I dont know if its analogous or not, (but) there are other viruses, where the flu, for example, historically, its been a determination from a player and team or players doctor as to whether its appropriate for them to be out on the floor. Irving would stand to lose even more if he's unvaccinatedover $17.5 million. (COVID-19) was on everybodys mind, one source close to the situation said. In the event that Footprint Center relocates a guest and one companion to accessible seating, any price increase differential resulting from such seat relocation is the responsibility of the guest. LeBron James registered a false positive test for COVID-19 this week, and eight negative tests later, he cleared the NBA's health and safety protocols in time for Friday's showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. At previous games inside. Persons exercising indoors must wear a face covering when it is difficult or impossible to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet. Additional health and safety measures instituted to welcome fans into the transformed arena include: Footprint Center is a smoke-free facility with no designated smoking area outside of the facility. These two teams rack up 229.4 points per game between them, 2.4 more than this game's total. A host of sporting events, shows and concerts is on the schedule for the center and can befound here. New capabilities include: Grab & Go Concessions: Three unique Grab & Go stands are available throughout the main concourse stocked with an assortment of soda, water and alcoholic beverages. Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt.1: Can Deandre Ayton stifle Nikola Jokic again. Floor seat holders will enjoy a private entrance and be the first fans to have access to the new Ultra Club. Health care workers, for example, are susceptible to a much higher breakthrough rate. FOX 10's Danielle Miller reports. All floor seats are at least 10 feet from the sidelines, and floor seat holders must remain masked at all times and will not be permitted to eat or drink while in the floor area. As if breakthrough cases were not something discussed in great detail on a daily basis in this country. All floor seat ticket holders will also need to accept COVID-19 testing protocols set by the Phoenix Suns and the NBA. "Look at other cities where they've opened for baseball and other big events and what's happened afterward, we just haven't seen that. Apr 1, 2021. If a refund is issued, it will Waltz has won two Academy Awards, and the Suns will take that hardware over fanfare any day. A comprehensive outline of protocols and what to expect on game day to keep fans, staff and players safe can be viewed at Suns.com/COVID. Official Phoenix Suns app sponsored by Verizon. Even if one of those four players whose vaccine status has not been disclosed tested positive, that would be a 6.7% rate twice that of their vaccinated counterparts in the smallest of sample sizes. For group ticket information call (602) 379-7878. The Phoenix Suns put themselves in too deep of a hole after getting beat in the little areas early by the Denver Nuggets. Computers and laptops. local news and culture, Benjamin Leatherman Detailed information about the testing process will be available soon, and upon purchase of a floor seat. will be allowed. For the first time in more than a decade, the Phoenix Suns look like they are headed to the NBA playoffs, which creates a number of new opportunities on the business side of the . Re-entry is not available for any games, concerts, or events. That's not the kind of attention any team wants. Management reserves the right to amend the above policy without notice depending on individual event restrictions. Humble said as long as people aren't feeling sick, they should be able to decide for themselves about wearing masks indoors, depending on their personal risk tolerance. Lastly, every fan will be welcomed to a new, cushioned seat, as every seat was replaced during the arena transformation. The Denver Nuggets' bench has rounded into form this postseason and could be a tough matchup for the Phoenix Suns. A negative COVID-19 test will only apply to . I think we want to be mindful of an impact an infected player can have not just on other players on the floor but people in the arena., (Photo: Kate Frese / NBAE via Getty Images). If they go to the game and get sick, its a choice they make," Humble said. Ben Rohrbach is a staff writer for Yahoo Sports. Rowley credited discussions the Suns have had around the league, where every team is focusing on how they can make the building safer once fans eventually return. Single-compartment drawstring bags, purses and diaper bags that have the appearance of a standard backpack and media backpacks are allowed as long as they meet the NBA bag-size requirements of 14 x 14 x 6. Found items may be turned in to the Guest Services Office. In NBA terms, it is the Bradley Beal defense. COVID-19 WARNING: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people gather. With that as one piece of knowledge, Amick added he did not think the NBA would dive deeper into the Suns situation investigation specifically though the league has left the door open if any more information surfaces. Venue Improvements: As part of the Phoenix Suns Arena transformation, a new HVAC system has been installed to more effectively and thoroughly circulate and filter air throughout the arena and promote healthy air quality. The NBA has gotten a starry second-round slate, with Stephen Curry and Golden State set to meet LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns also added kiosks to exchange cash into debit cards to limit contact. The NBA has a league-wide policy requiring all fans seated within 15 feet of the court or player benches show either proof of vaccination or a recent negative test at arenas across the league. Smoking of all kinds including e-cigarettes are prohibited in any area of the Footprint Center. And this is where it gets dicey.. People working outside while following CDC guidelines and adhering to physical distancing of 6 lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed tickets. I felt like I could have coached, but I obviously didnt want to get anybody else sick. The news might help explain, in part, how Phoenix went from beating Dallas by 30 points in Game 5 before losing by 27 and then 33 points in Games 6 and 7, respectively. So as soon as I tested positive, it was like all right, youre out of here.. Even if all of them were fully vaccinated, that is a 3.5% positivity rate, slightly higher than most studies. Opponents of these two teams average 224.1 points per game combined, 2.9 fewer than this matchup's over . Paramedics and EMTs are present during events at the Footprint Center; First Aid is located on the Main Concourse across from Section 116. . The venue debuted as America West Arena and later changed to U.S. Airways Center and then Talking Stick Resort Arena.. 4: Potent bench could be Denvers edge, Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt. In the event a guest requires accessible seating for a particular game, accommodations may be made prior to that game based on availability. Ultimately, I think thats a bigger issue than the NBA. Williams' rotation runs at least 10 deep, and seven of them are averaging between 7.6 and 12.6 points per game. Six members of the team, including a player, tested positive for the virus at the tail end of the series or just after it ended. The Phoenix Suns will soon be one of those teams as the franchise announced Tuesday up to 1,500 ticketed fans can attend games at the $230-million renovated Phoenix Suns Arena starting Monday . David Zalubowski/AP Photo Fans walk through the team logo illuminating the floor of Ball Arena before the Denver Nuggets host the Phoenix Suns in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA second-round . Additional health and safety measures instituted to welcome fans back to the transformed arena include: The Suns organization will continue to practice and promote actions that limit the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, washing hands and practicing appropriate social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control still advises avoiding big indoor gatherings but our ABC15 Health Insider says if you're vaccinated, you can do this safely without worry. Talking heads may be sleeping on the reigning Western Conference champions, but the sharps have taken notice. First, it's a flimsy excuse, and second, the story raises questions about how the Suns navigated NBA rules for dealing with COVID-19. Despite that, they will go into Game 2 with loads of optimism. How can Suns improve if they end up trading Deandre Ayton? The Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal said this week that he hasn't gotten a shot and is "still considering" whether to get vaccinated. I felt like I had a bad cold, sore throat, cough, congestion, Kerr said. It hosted the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association from 1968 to 1992, as well as indoor soccer, roller derby and major and minor league ice hockey teams. The league on Sunday said it had no plans to put its season on hold, as teams struggle to make available a league-mandated eight-man roster for games due to injuries and COVID-19 contact tracing.. Policies set forth by Event Organizers generally prohibit us 6:00AM. Each week during the 2021-22 NBA season, we will take a deeper dive into some of the leagues biggest storylines in an attempt to determine whether the trends are based more in fact or fiction moving forward. He is all things, scoring in isolation, as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, spotting up or coming off screens. Banners and signs must be hand held and may not obstruct the view of other guests or Footprint Center advertising signage or be temporarily or permanently affixed to the building structure. He thinks that's likely because it's actually enforced there, as those fans are closest to the players. Cash Conversion: As a convenience to our fans with cash, the Phoenix Suns Arena offers free cash conversions. For event specific information, please visit the individual event detail page on FootprintCenter.com Additional health and safety measures instituted to welcome fans into the transformed [] For information regarding ticketing and seating, accessible drop-off locations, Assistive Listening Receivers, radios, and facility features, please contact a member of our staff or visit the Guest Services Office located in the pavilion, at the Northwest corner of the building. *Please note that each event may have its own health requirements for entry. All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in Amick and Vardon further report that the Mavericks were aware of the rumblings of an outbreak with the Suns and concerned for their own health as early as Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals that they won in Game 7, which was May 15. A league spokesman toldThe Athletic, The NBA has seen no evidence to suggest any rules violations by Suns players or staff. A league source added the NBA could always revisit the situation if new information emerged. Contactless Accommodations: Phoenix Suns Arena has transitioned completely to paperless ticketing and offers numerous hands-free, cashless payment experiences via the Suns Mobile Wallet within the Official Suns App sponsored by Verizon. Their exceptionalism leads them to believe they can make Russell Westbrook work in ways no one else could and welcomes bloviating sports television segments dedicated to the dysfunction his arrival generates. Paul is no high-flyer, either. Gone are the days when players and coaches were tested multiple times a day, with the league-wide goal of keeping COVID-19 completely out. It's probably a good idea to wear masks indoorsin crowded situations, since its still possible vaccinated people can get the virus, said Dr. Joshua LaBaer, director of Arizona State Universitys Biodesign Institute, at a Wednesday news briefing. All true, but that take ignores one fact that became increasingly clear throughout the playoffs: The Suns are rock freaking solid. Health and Safety Protocols *Please note that each event may have it's own health requirements for entry. Up to 11,000 fans were allowed inside for the last home game, but this time they're expanding access for 16,000 fans. I do think with half our community being vaccinated, and it's similar throughout the country, we're not seeing those bumps where people are gathered together so that's a good thing," she said. With an event of this size, it's likely to serve as a blueprint for other big events in the Valley, like the return of concerts. The center has also implemented various social-distancing measures like online and app-based ticketing and automated concession stands. Bulls star Zach LaVine missed Game 5 of Chicagos first-round series after the team announced he tested positive for the virus. In 2022-23 against the spread,. The NBA season tips off on October 19 with a double-header of the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriorsplay for the rest of the league's teams will get underway over the following two days. Of the nine teams that won 19 or more straight, five captured the championship that same season. Become a member to support the independent voice of Phoenix All attended points of sale will have Plexiglass barriers between fans and staff. 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. That includesSuns, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers games. Dr. Robby Sikka, a former vice president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves who consulted with the NBA on COVID-19 treatment and protocols, said the rules the league still has in place should remain. [21] Thats up from 49 cases as of June 21, according to the nonprofits sequencing dashboard. Tablets that are 8 or smaller are allowed for sporting events, but prohibited during concerts/events. You can find them if you follow people who care more for substance than empty calories. At previous games inside Suns Arena, they were able to keep empty seats between fans but Tuesday night will be more of a challenge. She said unvaccinated people are "highly at risk for getting the delta variant of COVID-19.". Teams are required to test if vaccinated employees are symptomatic, which includes grey area if a player or staffer does not report symptoms. March 28, 2022 On Feb. 8, the Suns began allowing fans into the arena after starting the season without them in attendance. Information in this story was confirmed by more than a half-dozen sources. The fastest route to a return from COVID-19 is by producing two negative tests 24 hours apart which is how Horford returned to the Celtics for Game 2 of the conference finals. The Suns' odds to win the title have finally surpassed those of the Los Angeles Lakers, even if they still trail the Brooklyn Nets, Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks in that regard. The Phoenix Suns announced that they're increasing capacity to 3,000 fans at home games. The NBA requires all team personnel, regardless of vaccine status, to test for the virus if they are experiencing symptoms, and they may not play, coach or be at team facilities if they test positive. If a The NBA will have far more teams put vaccine mandates in place than the NFL did for its season. The recent uptick in Covid-19 cases in the Valley and across Arizona led Phoenix's NBA franchise to make the decision to start the 2020-21 season without fans inside the team's downtown arena. Pricing for the Party Pods start at $300 to $500 per seat and will vary per game. ET SCHEDULE & RESULTS The Suns website says masks must be worn unless fans are eating or drinking. Those who are fully vaccinated don't have to wear masks indoors. How will it look this time around? More holidays are around the corner. seat selection. Select Your Dates. His impact requires a deeper look, and that does not play well on Skip Bayless-based programming. BOSTON The Phoenix Suns were managing a COVID-19 outbreak as their season fell apart, multiple sources told The Athletic, with six individuals including one player testing positive either late in the Western Conference semifinals or the day after Game 7. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Naturally, this launched a thousand online conspiracy theories ranging from James' superhuman immune system to an NBA cover-up and outright coronavirus denialism. The Suns, meanwhile, transformed from perennial lottery afterthought to bona fide contender overnight, largely skipping the customary years-long discussion that follows most young teams' rise from potential sleeper to plucky playoff challenger and ultimately serious threat. I dont think were looking to be a trendsetter there. But that number does not appear to include at least a few of the league's high-profile players. But unlike cups of beer and Devin Booker signs, an accessory worn for more than a year in public might be harder to spot. Health Insider Dr. Janice Johnston from Redirect Health says the key will be following the clean habits we've built over the last year. The Suns, who privately insist there was no breach of protocol, declined to comment publicly for this story. As for how that has halted the renovations they got underway in late April, it hasnt. It is, in essence, an honor system. The Suns were thoroughly outmatched by the Nuggets in Game 1 on Saturday. The Mavericks had grown concerned about the rumblings too, with one Dallas source indicating the discussion about a rumored Suns outbreak began as early as Game 5. That ready to go will be 60% of the renovations done this summer and the rest finished next summer, and the Suns obviously feared potential snags the renovations could hit that would jeopardize their timeline. For more information please contact Footprint Centers Guest Services team at 602-379-2060. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Bet on this. PHOENIX The newly renamed Footprint Center updated its event policy to mandate masks to enter any upcoming events. The game will begin at 10 p.m. on Thursday. Children items such as baby bottles, formula, etc. Obviously, the sooner youre done, the better. limited circumstances. Party Pods within suites represent 25 percent of normal capacity. The Arizona-based Translational Genomics Research Institute had identified as of Friday 122 known cases of the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The NBA requires all team personnel, regardless of vaccine status, to test for the virus if they are experiencing symptoms, and they may not play, coach or be at team facilities if they test. The Suns have hit the over in seven of their past 10 games. Bottles, cans & coolers *sealed water bottles permitted but may be prohibited for select concerts. The Athletic does not identify individuals who test positive for COVID-19 unless their names are made public by the team, league or the individuals themselves. TheWorld Health Organization last weekurgedeven people who are fully vaccinated to wearmasks indoors and practice social distancing to avoid getting infected with the delta variant. Jun 7, 2022 The Phoenix Suns were managing a COVID-19 outbreak as their season fell apart, multiple sources told The Athletic, with six individuals including one player testing positive. To limit any potential spread of COVID-19, visitors must wear a mask to enter the building. The league has transitioned to more of an endemic approach, with teams expected to test a staff member, coach or player only if they have symptoms. In 2022-23, Phoenix has taken 63.8% percent of its shots from inside the arc . Footprint Center, the home of the Suns in downtown Phoenix, opened in 1992 and has been nominated by Pollstar Magazine six times for the "Arena of the Year." In excess of two million guests come to Footprint Center each year for entertainment and sports events, and to enjoy the food and fun in downtown Phoenix. Up to 80% of all planned work was completed in time for the 2020 preseason home opener, a 112-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 16, 2020. Limited floor seating will go on sale to PayPal SixthMan Season Ticket Members at 8 a.m. MT, Friday, Feb. 12.