After being eliminated by the Timberwolves in last season’s playoffs, the Suns parted ways with Frank Vogel and hired Mike Budenholzer to help turn the team around.
This season, however, has been far from ideal, with the Suns being one of the biggest letdowns in the NBA. A roster featuring Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant should not be on the outside of the Play-In Tournament in March, but that’s exactly where they find themselves.
Key comments from Devin Booker and Mike Budenholzer Currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference with a 28-33 record, Phoenix has lost 8 of their last 10 games. During a three-game home stretch starting on February 27, they lost the first game to the Pelicans, and Devin Booker expressed visible frustration during his postgame interview.
“It could be fixed with just a little more talking,” Booker said. “Things get tough, and we get quiet as a team… Skipping over the details and always taking the ‘get ’em next game’ mentality. At some point, you’ve got to draw a line, and it should’ve been drawn a long time ago.”
Things didn’t improve as they suffered a 116-98 defeat to the Timberwolves on Sunday, and frustration boiled over both on and off the court. The team’s body language was lackluster, and it seemed like they were simply going through the motions.
“Yeah. I think a big part of it is our spacing,” Booker said after the Minnesota loss. “And being organized, with all five guys on the same page, instead of just two or three. Even four doesn’t cut it.”
Mike Budenholzer appeared nearly speechless when asked about the team’s lack of engagement toward the end of the game.
“At some point, I think some of them were just down,” Budenholzer said. “When it’s 15 to 17 [points] and just sloppy, careless play… it added to what was already a problem. It was an issue throughout the game, including late.”
Phoenix’s Struggles Over the Past Month Since February 1, the Suns have posted the third-worst record in the NBA (3-11), the worst defensive rating (121.3), and the third-worst net rating (-7.8). With every game now critical, the Suns can’t afford any more losses as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Despite Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving suffering a season-ending ACL injury, which is likely to cause Dallas to slip in the standings, the Suns should never have put themselves in this position in the first place.
The Suns may have to face the harsh reality of missing the postseason this year. However, the situation remains in their hands, and it’s up to Budenholzer to get the team playing at a much higher level.
Kevin Durant Calls Out Suns for What Phoenix Needs to Turn Season Around
It’s been a rough season for the Phoenix Suns, and with just a few weeks left in the regular season, they’re sitting at 28-32, four games behind the final Play-In spot. However, star forward Kevin Durant has shared a simple but crucial solution for the Suns to get back on track.
“You can’t cry over spilled milk… you’ve got to move forward, put your best foot forward, be confident and optimistic that we’ll play better next game,” Durant told reporters. “It’s just a lot of BS around us, but if we understand that’s just the nature of the beast, we go out there and play with more pride, more energy, more enthusiasm, things can turn around.”
The Suns Need to Find Answers Fast
Durant has been vocal about his frustrations with the team’s struggles this season. Despite pairing with Devin Booker to create a high-powered duo, the Suns have failed to live up to expectations. With a 2-8 record in their last 10 games and constant injury woes, the Suns have looked nothing like a championship contender.
Though they still have a chance at sneaking into the postseason, the road ahead is tough. With upcoming games against the Clippers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies, the Suns need to drastically improve their play if they hope to make a playoff push.
Will Durant’s message spark the Suns into action before it’s too late? Time will tell.
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