Prior to the Phoenix Suns’ rebound win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, coach Frank Vogel offered a tough message to his squad. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant combined for 61 points, including nine of the final 13 points in a comfortable but forgettable 124-108 win. Via AZCentral:
“Build belief,” Vogel said. “We’ve set a standard of what I expect from our group…having a message of, ‘we’re better than this.'”
Phoenix trounced the Clippers 124-108, despite missing superstars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, as well as vital players Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Norm Powell. However, many believed the game was much closer than it should have been.
The night before
When fully healthy, the Suns were one of the top teams in the NBA. However, they have also witnessed devastating and heartbreaking defeats.
In the last month, Phoenix has beaten the West’s top two seeds, the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as the East’s third-best team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Suns have also lost their last four games to clubs sans their respective star(s).
“We’ve set a standard of what I expect from our group,” Vogel told reporters.
How did the Suns respond to the Clippers?
Phoenix won by 16, but the Clippers’ role players and deep bench kept them in the game until the end.
The Suns finished the game on a 20-2 surge, outscoring the Clippers 34-15 in the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant scored seven points in the fourth quarter and inspired a defensive effort that helped seal the victory.
What did Vogel say after the victory?
“We had a terrible night last night,” Vogel told AZCentral. “Probably our worst night of the season in terms of how we started that game and the deficit we created for ourselves.”
The Suns’ 105-92 loss to the Clippers at home was their worst of the season. They trailed 35-4 and made only two of their first 19 attempts.
Phoenix won the second half by 20 points, putting itself in position to execute a 37-point comeback after trailing 91-84 with 6:44 remaining. However, the devastating setback brought Vogel, who is generally composed in front of the media, to tears.
He felt better after the win
“We’re focused on the process,” Vogel told AZCentral. “The outcome will take care of itself.”
“Just didn’t feel good to perform that way (Tuesday) with the hopes and expectations we have for our group and the standard that we want to set for our group and what we’re trying to achieve this year.”