The Phoenix Suns faced a devastating defeat on Sunday night, suffering a humiliating 116-98 loss at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team's performance has raised serious concerns, as All-Star forward Kevin Durant expressed disappointment, stating, “We didn’t play up to our standards at all. We embarrassed the fans and we embarrassed ourselves the way we played. I want us to be better.”
This recent loss marked the Suns' 11th defeat in their last 14 games, leaving them with a record of 28-33 for the season. Currently, the team is four games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, with only 21 games remaining. The Suns' chances of reaching the postseason appear slim, which is a stark contrast to the expectations set back in October.
At the start of the season, the Suns had championship aspirations, boasting a star-studded roster featuring Durant, four-time All-Star Devin Booker, and three-time All-Star Bradley Beal. However, after a promising 8-1 start, the team has struggled with a disheartening 20-31 record since November 13. Although injuries have played a role in their decline, the team was at full strength during the recent game against Minnesota.
During the game, the Suns held a narrow lead of 51-49 at halftime. However, the Timberwolves quickly rallied to take control, entering the fourth quarter with an 83-72 advantage. Things took a turn for the worse for Phoenix in the final minutes, as they appeared to lack effort and focus. The Suns committed nine turnovers in the fourth quarter, many of which directly contributed to easy baskets for Minnesota.
In a notable moment, Beal received a Flagrant 1 foul for pushing Anthony Edwards during a dunk attempt, which added to the frustration of the home crowd, leading to scattered boos as time wound down. Edwards led the Timberwolves with an impressive 44 points, while Julius Randle returned from injury to contribute 20 points. Additionally, Donte DiVincenzo torched the Suns with eight three-pointers, showcasing the lack of defensive effort from Phoenix.
The Timberwolves, who eliminated the Suns from the playoffs in the first round last season, have now swept all three regular-season meetings this year. “When adversity hits, we start floating a little as a team,” Durant remarked after the game. The Suns matched their season high with 22 turnovers and allowed a staggering 40 points off those turnovers. Durant, Booker, and Beal were responsible for 14 of those turnovers, which Durant summarized succinctly: “That’s why we lost. Forty points off turnovers, tough to overcome that. They didn’t overpower us on the glass; we just gave them the ball.”
As the Suns look to salvage their season, they must address these glaring issues. With the playoff picture becoming increasingly bleak, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the team can turn things around in the coming weeks.
