Suns’ Rise Unprecedented

Around the NBA

From almost certain lottery team to playoff darkhorse, the Phoenix Suns have made one of the most remarkable one-season transformations in NBA history.

The Suns, who lost their first 13 games, now have a 10-game winning streak. That’s two NBA record-book notations in one sentence - worst start by an eventual playoff team, and the only squad to have double-digit losing and winning streaks in a season.

Predictably, they also have a new look.

Of the five players who started in a 96-82 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 1, only Wesley Person is still on the roster, and Jason Kidd, acquired in a trade Dec. 26, has had an enormous impact in the late surge that has lifted Phoenix to a 37-39 record with six games left.

The victory string includes two wins each over playoff heavyweights Seattle and Houston.

“There was a stretch of our schedule where we won nine out of 13, but our schedule was softer,” said Danny Ainge, the coach since Cotton Fitzsimmons retired after going 0-8. “But to win 10 in a row against some of the teams that we’ve had makes it more significant and more satisfying.”

The coaching change was just one of the obstacles Phoenix faced in the turnaround.

The Suns started in a flux after trading Charles Barkley, and since the season began they have played through two big trades and some key injuries.

Dontae’ Jones’ teacher sues school

A professor at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Aberdenn said school administrators threatened to fire her after she refused to change a grade for basketball star Dontae’ Jones.

Jones attended the junior college in Booneville before enrolling at Mississippi State, where he led the Bulldogs to their first Final Four appearance in the school’s history in 1996.

The 6-foot-7 forward was chosen 21st in the 1995-96 NBA draft by the New York Knicks, but has been on the disabled list.

Peggy Rainey Wroten, an instructor at the community college for 22 years, filed the suit April 3 in federal court in Aberdeen against Joe Childers, president of the school, and two school administrators.

Childers said he was not aware of the suit, and declined comment.

On the courts

Utah clinched the Western Conference’s top playoff seed with its 14th straight victory, 101-89 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

Charlotte tied a franchise record with its 50th victory, a 136-111 triumph over Boston’s depleted Celtics.