The Suns were reportedly managing a COVID-19 outbreak in the closing stages of their 2021–22 season, with six individuals, including one player, testing positive for the virus during the Western Conference semifinals or the day after the team’s Game 7 loss.
According to Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, assistant coach Bryan Gates tested positive after Game 6 and missed the final game when the Suns were blown out at home by the Mavericks, 123–90. A handful of other individuals on and around the team reportedly indicated that they weren’t feeling well prior to Game 7 on May 15, per The Athletic.