A brutal season for the Phoenix Suns hit a low Sunday evening with a humiliating 116-98 house loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“We didn’t play as much as our requirements in any respect,” All-Star ahead Kevin Durant mentioned. “We embarrassed the followers and we embarrassed ourselves the best way we performed. I need us to be higher.”
There’s not a lot proof that’s going to occur.
Phoenix misplaced for the eleventh time in 14 video games and fell to 28-33 for the season. The group is 4 video games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the ultimate spot within the Western Convention play-in event and can want a minor miracle during the last 21 video games of the season simply to have an opportunity on the postseason.
It’s removed from the scenario that the Suns anticipated again in October. They began the 12 months with championship aspirations with a highly-paid and achieved roster that features Durant, four-time All-Star Devin Booker and three-time All-Star Bradley Beal.
However after an encouraging 8-1 begin to the season, the Suns have a 20-31 report since 13 November. Accidents haven’t helped, however the Suns had been at full energy Sunday evening and nonetheless acquired routed in their very own constructing.
“We’ve acquired to go on a run, but it surely’s acquired to begin,” coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned. “There’s little question that the standings, the circumstances that we’re in, there’s an consciousness and we’ve acquired to do one thing to alter it.”
Phoenix really led 51-49 at halftime Sunday, however Minnesota rallied for an 83-72 lead heading into the fourth.
That’s when issues actually went south for the Suns, who didn’t look like giving a lot effort within the closing minutes. They’d 9 turnovers within the fourth quarter together with a number of that led on to straightforward Minnesota baskets. Beal was known as for a Flagrant 1 foul when he pushed Anthony Edwards on a dunk try.
Scattered boos had been heard from the house crowd within the closing minutes.
The Timberwolves – led by Edwards’ 44 factors – had been the far superior group. Julius Randle returned after lacking greater than a month with a groin harm and had 20 factors. Donte DiVincenzo torched the Suns for eight three-pointers and the Phoenix protection appeared to have little curiosity in guarding him at occasions.
Minnesota was the group that swept the Suns out of the playoffs final season within the first spherical. The Timberwolves have gained all three regular-season conferences this 12 months.
“When adversity hits, we begin floating a bit as a group,” Durant mentioned. “That’s powerful to take care of it.”
Phoenix tied a season excessive with 22 turnovers and gave up a season-high 40 factors off these turnovers. Durant, Booker and Beal mixed for 14 of the turnovers.
“That’s why we misplaced,” Durant mentioned. “Forty factors off turnovers, powerful to beat that. They didn’t overpower us on the glass, we simply gave them the ball.”
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