In 2004, Tabuse joined the Phoenix Suns' training camp and made the opening night roster. He scored seven points in his first NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 3, 2004, becoming on that day the first Japanese player ever to play in an NBA regular season game. However, he was waived by the Suns on December 16, 2004 after playing in four games and rejoined the Jam for the remainder of the season. Suns assistant coach Marc Iavaroni said of Tabuse: "I liked his energy, I liked his courage."