Suns face Nuggets in NBA Cup opener as arena unveils massive new video screen

The Phoenix Suns opened their NBA Cup campaign on Friday by hosting the Denver Nuggets at Mortgage Matchup Center in downtown Phoenix. The game, which began at 7 p.m. and aired on 3TV, serves as the first fixture for the Western Conference Group A. The group also includes the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz. The Suns will play their remaining group games against Houston, Utah, and Dallas.

The venue featured a major hardware upgrade for the season. A new LED display now covers the exterior of the arena. This screen is the largest installed on any NBA or WNBA venue. It measures 226 feet wide by 41 feet tall. The total surface area is 9,266 square feet. The panel contains more than 17 million pixels and refreshes at 60 frames per second. Josh Bartelstein, the CEO of the Suns and Mercury, said he wants the display to serve as a focal point for the downtown area. He noted that fans can use it to view game highlights, watch parties, and previews for upcoming contests.

Staff worked through the night before Friday’s tip-off to restore the court. They converted the floor from a concert stage back to a basketball setting. Pop star Doja Cat performed at the venue on Thursday night as part of her “Tour Ma Vie” tour.

Suns broadcaster Tom Leander discussed the team’s current status during a media interview. He stated that the squad is still adjusting to its rhythm early in the season. The Suns have won one of their first three games. They recently suffered a 41-point defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. Leander noted that the team is missing power forward Oso Ighodaro and center Mark Williams due to injuries. He identified Ighodaro’s absence as a factor affecting spacing on the court, describing the player as a huge part of that element.

The tournament structure includes single-elimination quarterfinals scheduled for December 4 and 5. Semifinals will occur on December 8 or 9. The championship game is set for December 11. Players receive a bonus of more than $500,000 for winning the tournament. Leander said this financial incentive motivates players, particularly those who signed new contracts recently.

The team also introduced a tactile broadcast system for fans with visual impairments. The device, created by the Seattle-based startup OneCourt, uses NBA tracking data to generate vibrations on a tablet. Users can follow the movement of the ball and players with their fingertips. The Suns have offered this technology to attendees for three years.

Merchandise options have expanded for the season. The team shop now sells apparel featuring Devin Booker’s new jersey number. It also offers items from a Nike collection inspired by the NBA Cup court design. Local brand The Wild Collective provides women’s styles in the store.