The Phoenix Suns’ undefeated run in the NBA bubble went down the drain as they failed to make the playoffs for the 10th straight year.

A 128-102 mauling of the Dallas Mavericks completed an 8-0 sweep for the Suns, but they still got the boot after the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers won their final seeding games.

The Grizzlies toppled the Milwaukee Bucks, 109-106, while the Blazers survived the Brooklyn Nets, 134-133, to secure their places in the play-in for the last playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Despite finishing with an identical 34-39 record with the Grizzlies, the Suns fell short of the play-in by virtue of losing their season series, 1-3.

Hopes of extending their season flashed before the Suns’ eyes as the Nets looked set to send the Blazers packing with a four-point lead in the remaining 4 minutes.

But the Blazers fought back and Caris LeVert missed the potential game-winner for the Nets, officially eliminating the Suns from contention.

Still, Suns ace Devin Booker said the team exceeded expectations, especially when others predicted they would go winless in the season restart.

“I’m still proud of this team. What else can you ask for?” Booker said.

“We came down here when our chances were slim to none. We did not listen to any other noise. We came in with the right mindset and won every opportunity we had.”

If anything, the Suns’ bubble success may be a sign of a bright future after several years of mediocrity.

Booker emerged as a bona fide NBA star with norms of 30.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in the bubble as the Suns took down legitimate playoff contenders Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Suns also set a league record for highest free throw percentage in a season with 83.4% – beating the previous mark of 83.2% made by the Boston Celtics in the 1989-1990 season.

“We could have had a different approach to this bubble, but we did it. We stayed locked in, through the ups and downs,” Booker said.

“We took many strides in so many different ways. Other than just basketball, we became closer as a unit.” – Rappler.com