Phoenix Suns defeat Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of NBA Finals

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The 118-105 victory over the Bucks came just days after the Suns secured their return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, with a defeat of the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.

Related: Chris Paul leads Suns past Clippers 130-103; team headed to NBA Finals for 1st time since 1993

Fans gather at Suns Arena hours before game began Suns fans gather at Phoenix Suns Arena as Game 1 of NBA Championships

While ticket prices for July 6’s Phoenix Suns game against the Bucks are not affordable for some, it didn’t stop Suns fans from heading to the arena to soak up the pre-game energy. FOX 10’s Bailey Miller reports.

For Phoenix Suns fans, the excitement fuse was lit when the team clinched the Western Conference Finals, and that excitement has been doing a fast burn through Arizona ever since.

While ticket prices have soared above a lot of people’s wallets, many fans decided nonetheless to head for the Phoenix Suns Arena in Downtown Phoenix to catch Suns fever without breaking the bank.

The heat on July 6 didn’t appear to stop fans, as they hang out at the arena in the hours leading up to the game.

“I had to be here. I had to take a picture of the stadium and come down, support them,” said one fan.

Fans were also picking up some brand new merchandise.

“I came to see if I could get me and my brother and my house a shirt because we love the Phoenix Suns,” said another fan.

Some fans came from far away. Charles Brown drove all the way to Phoenix with his friends from South Carolina, as soon as they knew the Suns made it to the finals.

“We got in the car five days ago, and now we are here for Game 1,” said Brown.

Brown and other fans are feeding off each other and they are confident the Suns will bring home the win.

Suns fan wins tickets to Game 1, but was in Hawaii

A big-time Suns fan was in Hawaii when he learned he won tickets to Game 1 from a radio station.

“We are in Hawaii. I missed a lifetime opportunity,” Kyle Smith said on Tuesday, the same day he learned he won the tickets.

“You never win these things,” he said, adding, “I have said all this time if they are at the Finals, I am going. Prices are so crazy I can’t do it and now I have the opportunity and still missed.”

Miles away on an island, Smith says he’ll be cheering on the Suns.

Fans make game-winning predictions Suns fans make game winning predictions ahead of NBA Finals game 1

Fans outside of the Phoenix Suns Arena are making their predictions on how many games it’ll take for the Suns to win it all in the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Click here for extended Phoenix Suns Coverage

More Phoenix Suns Stories Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenix for the latest news

For the latest local news, download the FOX 10 News app

Sign up for FOX 10 email alerts, newsletters