The PHNX Daily brings you the top sports stories in Arizona every day, delivered right to your inbox! Follow along with all of your beloved AZ sports teams as we bring unique, free content featuring your favorite players, coaches and personalities from throughout the state's sports scene. You can also catch up on the most recent stories from your favorite PHNX writers, check out the most recent podcast from our vast offering of shows, and find all the information needed to see which of your teams are playing on any given day, what time they start, and where you can watch or listen to them. It's all free, delivered to you bright and early each and every morning!
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024 -- Can you believe it's Thanksgiving already? Even with the holiday coming so late in the month, it's hard to believe we're about to swan dive right into the holiday season - 2024 has absolutely flown by.
Today's newsletter is a little bit different, and as the final edition of PHNX Daily for the week, I thought it was important to share the thoughts of our amazing staff on what we are all thankful for in our lives. Most importantly, though, I want to extend my deepest thanks to you for embarking on this newsletter journey -- two months in it's still hard to express my gratitude to all of our amazing readers. I personally appreciate your support, feedback, and everything in between.
We'll have a lot of Black Friday deals popping up, so make sure to keep an eye on your inbox and take advantage where you can, because there's a little something for everyone! Also, please help us settle an in-office debate: What's your favorite part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal? Make sure to take our poll at the bottom of this email!
I hope you have a safe, happy holiday, and in case you need a joke to get you through the long weekend: Did you hear about the Turkey who plays baseball? He covers first baste!
Let's run it back next week. On to the show!
π° LEADING OFF
PHNX Gives Thanks: What We're Thankful For
Patrick Brown
PHNX Daily Editor patrick@gophnx.com
Happy Thanksgiving, from our crew to yours!
Not a day goes by that we're not thankful for all of our loyal subscribers, and in our weekly Q&A we wanted to share a little bit about our team and what we are thankful for. Make sure to pop onto social media and say hello to your favorite personalities, and most of all, enjoy a happy, safe holiday with your loved ones.
PHNX Gives Thanks - What Our Staff is Thankful For
Espo, PHNX General Manager and PHNX Suns Co-Host βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Iβm thankful for my wifeβs health and all the things she has to do so I can live out my career dreams here at PHNX. The hours are crazy and she has to carry the burden of home life without me a lot but sheβs the only reason what I do is possible. Iβm also thankful for my eight year old daughter and our morning drives to school. She keeps me honest, humble (sometimes) and most importantly laughing.
What Iβm thankful for in sports: The fans. Itβs cliche but without sports fans passion and excitement weβre just watching adults play kids games in ridiculous matching outfits. We got a glimpse of that during the pandemic. While fans may be a bit irrational, we at least bring an energy and excitement to it all even in the bad times. β β βLeah Merrall, Head of Content βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Iβm thankful for my family, boyfriend, friends, my health and a job I love. β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: Iβm thankful for the hockey community. Even with the Coyotes gone, the hockey community in Arizona remains tightknit and strong. The hockey family at ALLCITY and beyond is incredibly supportive. Iβm also thankful that even though my time covering the Coyotes was short, I had the best time doing it and I got to work alongside Petey and Craig. β β βPatrick Brown, PHNX Daily Editor βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Iβm thankful for my family, and all the time I get to spend with them. Whether itβs building Legos, throwing the football, or playing Switch, we do it together as a family, and Iβm honestly not sure how life could get any better. Also, they tolerate my jokes, so thatβs great.
What Iβm thankful for in sports: My PHNX family. When the Coyotes left town I thought my career in sportswriting was over. I appreciate the opportunity from PHNX and all of my talented colleagues who have been warm, welcoming, and most importantly, tolerate my jokes.
Max Simpson, Director of Partnerships βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Iβm incredibly blessed that my fiancee, family, and myself are all healthy and fulfilled. Truly fortunate to wake up excited to dive into my faith, my passions, and my life overall.
What Iβm thankful for in sports: Community - itβs at the heart of everything I love about sports. The friends you make and the people you meetβ¦itβs beyond gratifying to develop so many great relationships throughout my sports journey, career, and my time here with PHNX. β β βEmma Spotts, Social Media Manager βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Good health and a family who supports me everyday. β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: The opportunity to do what I love and call it work :-) β β βConnor Cox, Jr. Account Executive βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: I am thankful for my three amazing kiddos, family (immediate & extended), and having friends in my life that I can call, not just text. I am also just as thankful for new opportunities to join a company that feels like the perfect fit. β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: A healthy Kyler Murray β It feels nice telling people to take the over on wins in the preseason.
Connor Cox is thankful for a healthy Kyler Murray! Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Craig Morgan, PHNX columnist & Cardinals beat writer βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: I am thankful for a brilliant and loving wife with an unshakable sense of fairness and a moral compass that always points true north; two emotionally and intelligently mature kids with great sense of humor; an 18-year-old dog and cat who are still going strong; the opportunity to work with the hard-working, fun-loving folks at PHNX Sports; and the opportunity to engage with the Valleyβs sports community on a meaningful level.
What Iβm thankful for in sports: I am thankful that PHNX didnβt kick me to the curb after the Coyotes left town. I am still getting my sea legs on the NFL beat, but I am warming to the new challenge, and I am embracing the idea of bringing my Valley sports wisdom (a nice way of saying Iβm getting old) to an outlet with so many energetic and young voices. β β βBo Brack, Host, PHNX Cardinals βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Iβm thankful for my wifey Hailey, son Grae and getting to do what I love everyday! β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: For the Arizona Cardinals having fire in their gut and Kyler Murray criticsβ tears by the bucketful. β β βJohnny Venerable, Host, PHNX Cardinals βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: My wife, Kelsey and our two kiddos, Frankie and Hudson. That we are able to live here in beautiful Arizona where our kids will be able to experience things that we never did growing up. β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: That I am able to lock in on my true passion, which is covering the Arizona Cardinals on a daily basis. The cherry on top is getting to do it with one of my best friends in Bo Brack and the tremendous support team we have here at PHNX. β β βGerald Bourguet, PHNX Suns Host βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Aside from becoming a father in the near future? My wife, my family, my dog Loki, being a new homeowner, great food, good movies and TV shows, rock music, and my Nintendo Switch! β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: When I first started covering the Suns, they were a joke of a franchise, constantly rebuilding, with no hope for the future. Whatever happens with this current iteration, Iβm thankful for the opportunity to cover a team with playoff expectations and established talent like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as my full-time job.
We're all thankful for a healthy Big 3! Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Lindsey Smith, Host, PHNX Suns βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: There is so much to be thankful for, here are a few random but mighty things Iβm thankful for! Iβm thankful for dark chocolate covered almonds, local coffee shops, mom & pop restaurants and artists who push the boundaries! β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: That Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are healthy! And hopefully that means weβll return to winning! β β βNoah Wulbrect,PHNX Suns Producer & Graphics lead βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Good health, a loving, supportive family, sublime friends and all the exciting new adventures ahead.
What Iβm thankful for in sports: A 10-1 season by the Detroit Lions as well as some promising squads in basketball, baseball and football in the great state of Arizona. Working in sports is also a mind-boggling, exciting and energetic environment to be a part of. β β βDerek Montilla, PHNX Diamondbacks Podcast Host βWhat Iβm thankful for in life: Iβm thankful to have my incredible wife and daughter who support me every single day and are my motivation for everything I do in life. Iβm also thankful for my brothers, my amazing friends who I wouldnβt be here without, and most importantly for my French Bulldog and best friend Cosmo. β βWhat Iβm thankful for in sports: As a kid who grew up addicted to watching SportsCenter and playing basketball in my driveway during halftime of Suns games, Iβm unbelievably thankful for the opportunity to live my dream covering the sports I love. Also, I canβt express enough how thankful I am for my PHNX Family who make me better every single day.
Safe to say we're all thankful for Ketel Marte and his incredible season. Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Jesse Friedman, PHNX Diamondbacks beat writerβ What Iβm thankful for in life: I am thankful for six months of glorious Valley weather, which has only just begun; a loving family and (mostly) loving coworkers π; and a God that remains faithful even and especially in tough situations.
What Iβm thankful for in sports: I am thankful that I get to talk and write about baseball for a living; that the team I cover is relevant; and that Iβve gotten to meet some incredible people along the way.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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ποΈ ABOUT LAST NIGHT...
Tuesday, Nov. 26β ββ π Sun Devils WBB 61 - # 14 Kentucky 77 (Music City Classic)β βThe Sun Devils were outscored 27-9 in the second quarter, ultimately dooming their chance of upsetting Kentucky. Jalyn Brown led the team with 6 points, while Nevaeh Parkinson chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds. β βπ Wildcats WBB 60 - Vanderbilt 71 (Acrisure Holiday Invitational)β βJada Williams scored 20 points and Breya Cunningham notched 17 points and nine rebounds, but Arizona fell to the still-unbeaten Commodores. β βπ Firebirds 8 - Roadrunners 2 βOuch. Cameron Hebig and Andrew Agozzino gave Tucson a 2-0 lead halfway into the first period ... and then Coachella Valley rattled off 8 straight goals. Seven different Firebirds finished with a multi-point game.β β π Lakers 100 - Suns 127 βKevin Durant and Bradley Beal's return did not disappoint, and the Suns were off to the races after doubling-up the Lakers in the third quarter. The Big 3 combined for 72 points in a dominating NBA Cup win, snapping the team's five-game losing streak. βPHNX Postgameβ
"Bradβs been taking on the toughest matchup a lot of nights, Kevinβs length and rebounding and shot-blocking. Everybody thinks about the offensive boost, but I think thereβs a defensive boost that we get with those two guys."
Β
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on the return of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal
πΊ WHAT'S ON TAP
β Wednesday, Nov. 27β β π Sun Devils WBB vs. South Dakota (Music City Classic)β β10 am | No TV | KDUS 1440 AM β βπ Stockton Kings at Valley Sunsβ β5 pm | ESPN+ β βπ Wildcats WBB vs. Cal (Acrisure Holiday Invitational)β β12 pm | TruTV | Listen β βπ Wildcats MBB vs. Davidson (Battle 4 Atlantis)β β5:30 PM | ESPN2 | Listen ββPHNX Postgameβ β π Firebirds at Roadrunnersβ β6:30 pm | AHL.TVβ β π Nets at Sunsβ β7 pm | 3TV / AZFS | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM βPHNX Postgameβ
(results to be posted in next Monday's newsletter) ββ Tuesday's poll: Feeling good with KD and Beal returning? βYep, back to winning basketball!: 80% βWe'll see: 20%
π GEAR UP
β
π» DON'T MISS OUT
β
The PHNX Daily brings you the top sports stories in Arizona every day, delivered right to your inbox! Follow along with all of your beloved AZ sports teams as we bring unique, free content featuring your favorite players, coaches and personalities from throughout the state's sports scene. You can also catch up on the most recent stories from your favorite PHNX writers, check out the most recent podcast from our vast offering of shows, and find all the information needed to see which of your teams are playing on any given day, what time they start, and where you can watch or listen to them. It's all free, delivered to you bright and early each and every morning!
