DraftKings’ latest map of the United States showing the most popular NBA team in each state put the Phoenix Suns on top in Arizona, New Mexico and Alaska. The result, released recently, set off a fresh round of chatter among fans online as the NBA playoffs rolled on.
For Phoenix, the finding landed in the middle of a postseason stretch that has kept the team visible far beyond the Valley. Suns fans were in the crowd on Feb. 1, 2026, cheering against the Los Angeles Clippers at Mortgage Matchup Center, and again on Apr. 17, 2026, backing Jordan Goodwin against the Golden State Warriors in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. That fan support now appears to reach well outside Arizona, with New Mexico also listing Phoenix as its top team.
The Alaska result drew the most attention. DraftKings’ map named the Suns as the most popular NBA team there, even though the Portland Trail Blazers are considerably closer to Alaska than Phoenix is. The map showed three states in all identifying the Suns as their top team, a sign that the franchise’s reach extends beyond what geography alone would suggest.
That is what makes the result stand out today. In a playoff season defined by every game and every crowd shot, the Suns are not only fighting for wins on the court; they are also showing up as a team with a fan base that travels in places a map would not predict. For readers following Phoenix’s postseason path, that broader support is part of the story, whether it comes from Arizona, New Mexico or a surprising corner of Alaska.
The next question is not whether the map will trigger more debate online — it already has — but whether the Suns can keep giving those fans a reason to keep showing up through the rest of the playoffs. Their recent run has already produced moments that drew attention, including Jordan Goodwin’s defense in the win over Golden State, and the team’s bracket path remains the thing that will ultimately test how far that support can carry.
