PHNX DAILY

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!

Nov 27Β β€’Β 9 min read

Happy Thanksgiving From the PHNX Daily!


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πŸ‘‹ GOOD 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!


πŸ“° 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.

⏱️ BECOME A DIEHARD TODAY!

PHNX Gives Thanks - What Our Staff is Thankful For

Espo, PHNX General Manager and PHNX Suns Co-Host
​What I’m thankful for in life: I’m thankful for my wife’s 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 she’s the only reason what I do is possible. I’m 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 I’m thankful for in sports: The fans. It’s cliche but without sports fans passion and excitement we’re 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.
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​Leah Merrall, Head of Content
​What I’m thankful for in life: I’m thankful for my family, boyfriend, friends, my health and a job I love.
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​What I’m thankful for in sports: I’m 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. I’m 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.
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​Patrick Brown, PHNX Daily Editor
​What I’m thankful for in life: I’m thankful for my family, and all the time I get to spend with them. Whether it’s building Legos, throwing the football, or playing Switch, we do it together as a family, and I’m honestly not sure how life could get any better. Also, they tolerate my jokes, so that’s great.

What I’m 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.

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PHNX Sports
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12:34 PM β€’ Nov 25, 2024
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Max Simpson, Director of Partnerships
​What I’m thankful for in life: I’m 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 I’m thankful for in sports: Community - it’s at the heart of everything I love about sports. The friends you make and the people you meet…it’s beyond gratifying to develop so many great relationships throughout my sports journey, career, and my time here with PHNX.
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​Emma Spotts, Social Media Manager
​What I’m thankful for in life: Good health and a family who supports me everyday.
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​What I’m thankful for in sports: The opportunity to do what I love and call it work :-)
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​Connor Cox, Jr. Account Executive
​What I’m 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.
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​What I’m thankful for in sports: A healthy Kyler Murray β€” It feels nice telling people to take the over on wins in the preseason.

Craig Morgan, PHNX columnist & Cardinals beat writer
​What I’m 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 Valley’s sports community on a meaningful level.

What I’m thankful for in sports: I am thankful that PHNX didn’t 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 I’m getting old) to an outlet with so many energetic and young voices.
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​Bo Brack, Host, PHNX Cardinals
​What I’m thankful for in life: I’m thankful for my wifey Hailey, son Grae and getting to do what I love everyday!
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​What I’m thankful for in sports: For the Arizona Cardinals having fire in their gut and Kyler Murray critics’ tears by the bucketful.
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​Johnny Venerable, Host, PHNX Cardinals
​What I’m 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.
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​What I’m 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.
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​Gerald Bourguet, PHNX Suns Host
​What I’m 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!
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​What I’m 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, I’m 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.

Lindsey Smith, Host, PHNX Suns
​What I’m thankful for in life: There is so much to be thankful for, here are a few random but mighty things I’m thankful for! I’m thankful for dark chocolate covered almonds, local coffee shops, mom & pop restaurants and artists who push the boundaries!
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​What I’m thankful for in sports: That Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are healthy! And hopefully that means we’ll return to winning!
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​Noah Wulbrect, PHNX Suns Producer & Graphics lead
​What I’m thankful for in life: Good health, a loving, supportive family, sublime friends and all the exciting new adventures ahead.

What I’m 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.
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​Derek Montilla, PHNX Diamondbacks Podcast Host
​What I’m thankful for in life: I’m thankful to have my incredible wife and daughter who support me every single day and are my motivation for everything I do in life. I’m also thankful for my brothers, my amazing friends who I wouldn’t be here without, and most importantly for my French Bulldog and best friend Cosmo.
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​What I’m 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, I’m unbelievably thankful for the opportunity to live my dream covering the sports I love. Also, I can’t express enough how thankful I am for my PHNX Family who make me better every single day.

Jesse Friedman, PHNX Diamondbacks beat writer​
What I’m 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 πŸ™ƒ; and a God that remains faithful even and especially in tough situations.

What I’m 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 I’ve gotten to meet some incredible people along the way.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Editor's note: Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the FREE PHNX Daily here, and don't miss out on free, exclusive content about The Valley's top sports stories every morning!


🎟️ ABOUT LAST NIGHT...

Tuesday, Nov. 26​
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Sun Devils WBB 61 - # 14 Kentucky 77 (Music City Classic)​
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The 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.
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πŸ€ Wildcats WBB 60 - Vanderbilt 71 (Acrisure Holiday Invitational)​
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Jada Williams scored 20 points and Breya Cunningham notched 17 points and nine rebounds, but Arizona fell to the still-unbeaten Commodores.
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πŸ’ Firebirds 8 - Roadrunners 2
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Ouch. 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.​
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Lakers 100 - Suns 127
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Kevin 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.
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PHNX Postgame​


β›½ CIRCLE K CIRCLING BACK

How Beal and KD Will Provide a Boost

3 specific areas where they will help! Gerald Bourguet​

Cardinals Monday Morning QB

From division favorite to playoff hopeful. Craig Morgan​

A Day in the Life of an NHL Video Coach

What's it like behind the scenes? PHNX Hockey​


πŸ’¬ THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID

"Brad’s been taking on the toughest matchup a lot of nights, Kevin’s length and rebounding and shot-blocking. Everybody thinks about the offensive boost, but I think there’s a defensive boost that we get with those two guys."

Β 

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on the return of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal


πŸ“Ί WHAT'S ON TAP

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Wednesday, Nov. 27
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Sun Devils WBB vs. South Dakota (Music City Classic)​
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10 am | No TV | KDUS 1440 AM
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πŸ€ Stockton Kings at Valley Suns​
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5 pm | ESPN+
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πŸ€ Wildcats WBB vs. Cal (Acrisure Holiday Invitational)​
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12 pm | TruTV | Listen
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πŸ€ Wildcats MBB vs. Davidson (Battle 4 Atlantis)​
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5:30 PM | ESPN2 | Listen
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​PHNX Postgame​
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Firebirds at Roadrunners​
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6:30 pm | AHL.TV​
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Nets at Suns​
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7 pm | 3TV / AZFS | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
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PHNX Postgame​

video preview​

Thursday, Nov. 28 πŸ¦ƒβ€‹
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Wildcats MBB vs. Providence or Oklahoma (Battle 4 Atlantis)​
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TBD | ESPN/ESPN2 | Listen
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​PHNX Postgame​
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Sun Devils MBB vs New Mexico (Acrisure Classic)​
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9:30 pm | TruTV | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
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Friday, Nov. 29​
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Wildcats MBB vs. TBD (Battle 4 Atlantis)​
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TBD | ESPN/ESPN2 | Listen
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​PHNX Postgame​
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Sun Devils MBB vs USC or St. Mary's (Acrisure Classic)​
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TBD | TruTV | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
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Saturday, Nov. 30​
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Sun Devils at Wildcats​
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1:30 pm | FOX | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
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PHNX Sun Devils Postgame​
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PHNX Wildcats Postgame​
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Roadrunners at Gulls​
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7 pm | AHL.TV​
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Warriors at Suns​
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7 pm | 3TV / AZFS | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
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PHNX Postgame​
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Sunday, Dec. 1
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🏈 Cardinals at Vikings​
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11 am | FOX | Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
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PHNX Postgame​


🧒 TIP OF THE HAT BY BRANDED BILLS

Bradley Beal announced his return emphatically as the Suns rolled to a 27-point win over the Lakers.

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Phoenix Suns
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@Suns
10:8 PM β€’ Nov 26, 2024
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⁉️ THE PULSE

(results to be posted in next Monday's newsletter)
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Tuesday's poll: Feeling good with KD and Beal returning?
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Yep, back to winning basketball!: 80%
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We'll see: 20%

πŸ‘• GEAR UP

🍻 DON'T MISS OUT


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!


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