After a fourth-quarter collapse, the Suns now trail the Nuggets two games to zero in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Unlike Game One, Phoenix stayed strong on defense, holding Denver to a season-low 40 points in the first half. The Nuggets had zero offensive rebounds going into the third quarter.
Unfortunately for the Suns, their offensive struggles continued throughout the entire game. It was then an 0-9 start to the fourth quarter that caused a massive collapse.
The Suns scored only 14 points in the fourth quarter, an inexcusable performance in a game that seemed bound to be determined by the last minute of play.
As expected, fans across the valley were left in disbelief. After all, when the Suns traded for Kevin Durant, it was the defense that everybody was worried about.
Durant ended the game shooting 2-12 from beyond the arc. In total, the Suns shot a horrendous 16.7% from three, ultimately costing them the game.
Book and a bunch of scrubs tonight man
— andrew leezus (@AndrewLeezus) May 2, 2023
Kevin Durant tonight pic.twitter.com/eekBCIAzUg
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) May 2, 2023
I want the comeback but I also just can’t take the trauma with this team. They’re so tuff to watch and it’s still the same issues even with Kevin Durant here. Really tough outlook but roster was thrown together quick. We’ll be better with a full off-season and time to connect
— Vincent 🔅 (@VincentKeyes1) May 2, 2023
That's a winnable game you really can't afford to lose. Brutal time for a Chris Paul injury and Kevin Durant off night. Home team is gonna take care of business, with all the pressure on Phoenix heading back to the Valley for Game 3
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) May 2, 2023
Kevin Durant in tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/gL9MHVbBvu
— 𖤐 (@Rebxtj) May 2, 2023
Kevin Durant tonight pic.twitter.com/GFvDbmpcGR
— 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙭 🔥 (@FlamesNBA22) May 2, 2023
AWFUL shooting from Kevin Durant today. No way can I deny this, but Suns collapsed every time KD was not on the court and lost leads every time the 2nd and 4th quarter units started without him, this has to be fixed. It was a book masterclass gone to waste
— KDprime (@forthefacts) May 2, 2023
Kevin Durant tonight:
10/27 FG (37%)
2/12 3PT (16.7%)Phoenix down 0-2 😬 pic.twitter.com/L2SyZCy5bf
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 2, 2023
Kevin Durant can’t be 10/27 from the floor.
You can’t win a playoff game that way, ya just can’t.
— kam (@cuzznkamm) May 2, 2023
Devin Booker is the best player on the Phoenix Suns.
— Brandon Awadis (@brawadis) May 2, 2023
Suns were gassed in that fourth quarter – those minutes added up on the stars and no one could make a shot for Phoenix. The Suns bench is completely useless. Have yet to see a special KD game in the playoffs.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 2, 2023
The good news for Phoenix is that they will receive some much-needed rest with a four-day break before returning to action on Friday.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Footprint Center.
