The very first time the Suns played on Christmas Day was as an expansion team in 1968. Predictably the Suns lost, 119 to 99 to the Los Angeles Lakers. But they had no reason for shame, this time. The Lakers were loaded as usual, with Jerry West leading the Lakers with 26 points, Elgin Baylor had 22. They didn’t keep track of rebounds back then; if they did Wilt Chamberlain would have had at least 20. The Original Sun, Dick Van Arsdale, led all scorers with 27 points. The Lakers must have been hacking Van all day, because he had 18 free throws.
The Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day
