To say the Phoenix Suns were defeated on Tuesday night by the Los Angeles Clippers would be an understatement. Although the Clippers won 105-92, it did not look to be a blowout to the human eye, and the game was done inside the first few minutes. Los Angeles started the game with a 37-6 run and led by as many as 37 points in the second quarter. The Suns were unprepared for this game as a whole, but Kevin Durant was not willing to blame his teammates or coaches for the setback.
“We’re not blaming one player, or anybody. “I guess what the fans want to do is blame,” Durant said after the game in reaction to Suns supporters resorting to social media, according to Trevor Booth of ClutchPoints. “We win and lose together. That is what we talk about every day. We could all play better.
“People want us to put the blame on one player or coach, but we win and lose as a team.”
Durant’s answer to Suns fans came in response to being questioned about how the team takes responsibility for games like the one they played against the Clippers, in which no one appeared to be on the same page.
While the Suns trimmed into Los Angeles’ lead, outscoring them 54-39 in the second half, Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal struggled offensively throughout the game. The Suns’ three stars went 15-of-46 from the field, or about 32%, with Booker making only one of them.
As a result of this loss, Phoenix dropped to the Western Conference’s 7th seed, with only three games remaining on their schedule, including another meeting with the Clippers on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Kevin Durant and the Suns are ready to turn the page
The Suns did not want to present themselves to their supporters in the regular-season home finale with a deficit of up to 37 points in the first half. Phoenix, a club with great championship hopes, is on the edge of having to win their way into the Western Conference playoffs. In doing so, the Suns will eventually face one of the conference’s best teams if they have to earn a postseason spot in the play-in round.
The Suns have three games remaining on their schedule, including Wednesday night’s game against the Clippers, which will provide an opportunity for payback from the night before. In his postgame remarks, Booker discussed remaining prepared for the task at hand, particularly because the squad can remedy their faults from Tuesday night’s loss to the Clippers.
“I’m not into the too-high and too-low thing. “Just take it one game at a time,” Booker added. “Our next task is tomorrow (Wednesday), and we’ll cross that bridge once we get there.”
When questioned about the team’s frustration level following the loss, Booker simply replied, “chilling.”
The Suns, who are currently in the Western Conference play-in round, still have a chance to climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves. Phoenix’s remaining schedule includes games against the Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Although the Suns have yet to overcome the Clippers this season, they have won two games against the Kings and Timberwolves. They’ll need some help, but the path to an actual playoff spot is still open.
Everything for the Suns begins with getting back on track for Wednesday’s game. Unlike the Clippers, who have already ruled out Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden for this game, the Suns will have all of its studs available. Revenge is precisely what Phoenix needs right now, which is why a win on Wednesday may significantly boost their effort level heading into postseason action.