Author: Mark Medina, USA TODAY

The Suns are encouraged with how they performed in their first NBA Finals since 1993 and vowed to use the painful experience of losing to get better.

When the NBA Finals end, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton will travel to Tokyo to play for Team USA.

As Phoenix tries to force a Game 7, Devin Booker defends Chris Paul’s playoff shortcoming while Paul defends Booker’s solo scoring dominance.

Chris Paul had just 10 points and turned the ball over five times in the Suns’ Game 4 loss, but Monty Williams is sure CP3 will bounce back.

Damian Lillard denied a report that he plans to request the Blazers trade him, but he also hasn’t made “any firm decision on what my future will be.”

Dan Majerle was targeted by Michael Jordan in the 1993 NBA Finals because Bulls’ GM lauded Majerle’s defense.

Devin Booker had his worst shooting night of the playoffs, and Deandre Ayton was limited to just 24 minutes in the Suns’ Game 3 loss to the Bucks.

After winning the first of six MVP awards in 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went on to lead the Bucks to their only NBA title.

Devin Booker is playing heavy minutes and carrying a heavy burden for the Suns, but the young star won’t let the workload affect him in the NBA Finals.

Players have praised Monty Williams for staying calm both after wins and losses. Williams also has stressed to his players to “smell the gym.”