Arizona is one of the leading states in the nationwide data center boom.

The big picture: A recent Pew Research Center analysis shows that as of February, Arizona had more data centers operational or planned than most other states.

By the numbers: Arizona has 98 data centers currently operating — placing it in the top 10 states, per Pew — and 86 planned or under construction, trailing only Virginia, Texas, Illinois and Georgia.

The intrigue: Data centers have become controversial, largely over concerns about energy and water use, and there's growing backlash nationally and in Arizona.

• Opponents unsuccessfully fought the Project Blue data center outside Tucson and a proposed facility in Marana.
• Meanwhile, opponents derailed a proposed rezoning for a new data center in Chandler backed by former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
• Gov. Hobbs proposed eliminating a tax subsidy for large data centers, though she's faced pushback from GOP lawmakers.

State of play: A report by the real estate and investment management company JLL cited Phoenix as the No. 2 market for planned data centers in mid-2025.

• JLL showed Arizona as one of the top states for incoming data centers at the end of last year.

What we're watching: The Arizona Corporation Commission is contemplating new policies to ensure that costs for energy and new infrastructure for data centers aren't passed onto other ratepayers.

Zoom in: Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, told Axios he's seeing a slowdown in data center development here and in other high-growth states.

• He attributed that to increased deliberation over data center energy use by utilities and developers and especially to local opposition.
• Case in point: Outside groups attempted to refer rezoning for a proposed data center in Marana to the ballot.

Energy needs will be the biggest "choke point" for the industry, said Russell Smoldon, an Arizona lobbyist representing the national Data Center Coalition.

• He told Axios a slowdown is coming, noting that it would take time to see one materialize because of how long it takes to build the facilities.

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The Phoenix Suns' season is over after a first-round sweep in the playoffs, but it was still a wildly successful year.

The big picture: The Suns were the seventh-place team in the Western Conference and made it to the playoffs as the eighth seed.

• That success came despite many preseason predictions that they'd be one of the West's worst teams.

The latest: The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder completed their four-game sweep of Phoenix on Monday night with a 131-122 win at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Catch up quick: An offseason trade split up the Suns' "big three" when the team traded superstar Kevin Durant to Houston for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and the No. 10 draft pick, which Phoenix used to select Khaman Maluach.

• Some viewed it as a lopsided trade but the best deal Phoenix could've gotten once it became clear that the Durant era would never be the success that owner Mat Ishbia hoped for.

State of play: The Suns became one of the season's biggest surprises, bouncing back from a rough start and spending most of the season in playoff contention.

• Brooks, sometimes affectionately called "Dillon the Villain" for his aggressive defense and antagonistic style, had perhaps the best season of his career.
• The team's success came despite numerous injuries, including to Brooks and Green, who missed more than half the season.

What we're watching: Phoenix has a decent core to build on, though a lack of first-round draft picks resulting from previous trades — most notably the blockbuster that brought Durant to the Suns — will likely hinder attempts to improve the roster.

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🤑 Legislative Republicans unveiled their new budget proposal. Gov. Hobbs two weeks ago announced she would veto bills until GOP lawmakers publicly released a spending plan. (KJZZ)

👀 The Attorney General's Office wants to interview Hobbs as part of its investigation into a group home provider that received a rate increase from the Department of Child Safety after giving more than $400,000 to the governor's inaugural fund and the Arizona Democratic Party. (AZcentral)

🥯 Bagelfeld's in Phoenix is temporarily closed after an early morning fire shut down the beloved bagel shop. Its Tempe location is still open. (Phoenix New Times)

🏀 Big man Motiejus Krivas will return to UofA next season. The news comes less than a week after Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, who were key to the Wildcats' Final Four run, announced they'll leave for the NBA Draft. (ESPN)

Welcome to another edition of "Where in the Valley?"

How it works: We show you something cool. You tell us where it is.

• The first reader who names the spot gets a shoutout in the newsletter.

You tell us: Where in the Valley can you find these sculptures?

No one gave us the correct location for last week's contest.

• The mural is part of the GateWay Community College-Washington Campus, at Washington and 40th streets.
• It houses Arizona Career Pathways, Maricopa Small Business Development Center and Johnson Controls Training Institute.