In the second straight game and only sixth overall with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal all healthy, the Phoenix Suns were blown out 138-111 by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns had looked like they found their groove, winning five of six, but now have lost two straight and are 19-18 on the year.
The Clippers (23-13) shot 67% from the field in the first half, outscoring Phoenix 71-63. Los Angeles then continued shooting well and shut down the Suns’ offense, capping off the game by winning the fourth quarter 37-20. This came just one day after the Memphis Grizzlies won the fourth quarter 35-18 in their 121-115 victory over the Suns Sunday.
Even so, Suns’ coach Frank Vogel is not giving up hope on his team.
“They’re difficult to guard,” Vogel said of the Clippers, who he said feature four future Hall-of-Famers. “They’re hitting their stride, we haven’t quite got there yet. We tried to change the game in the second half by going small. We had a couple of threes that went in and out we didn’t get, and we had a couple of rebounds we didn’t get that could have probably changed the complexion of that stretch of the game. And then the fourth quarter, we didn’t come out and execute well enough, we have a drought offensively.
“(The Clippers) are in a better rhythm than we are right now. It’s gonna take time, we know that. We’re remaining confident, but a tough night for us.”
#Suns coach Frank Vogel postgame after 138-111 loss to #Clippers:
"(The Clippers) are in a better rhythm than we are right now. It's gonna take time, we know that. We're remaining confident, but a tough night for us."@BurnCitySuns
— Brendan Mau (@brendan_mau) January 9, 2024
Kevin Durant led the scoring for the Suns, finishing with 30 points (10-17 FG) and seven rebounds. Devin Booker had 20 points (8-14 FG), five assists and six turnovers. Bradley Beal had 15 points (7-15 FG) and two steals.
It is these three players that are keeping Vogel confident.
“We’ve got a roster that can win,” Vogel said. “We believe in it. It’s gonna take time, still six games with (the Big 3) playing together. A lot of those games role players have been been in and out. It’s a long season.”
Frank Vogel when asked if it's tough to stay confident: "Nope."
"We've got a roster that can win. We believe in it. So it's gonna take time. Still six games with (the Big 3) playing together. A lot of those games role players have been been in and out. It's a long season." #Suns https://t.co/5r5SxvOeUm
— Brendan Mau (@brendan_mau) January 9, 2024
Vogel expanded on why he believes the team can turn it around.
“Let’s start with our resumes,” Vogel said. “(We have) three of the best scorers in the game, and it’s gonna take time for them to learn each other on the floor and stack together some wins. We’ve seen some brilliant stretches, but we’re not as far along as this team is that we saw tonight.”
The Suns now have a much-needed full two days off and play once again in Los Angeles Thursday night against the Lakers, who are 3-0 already against the Suns this season.
Stay tuned for another story about why Vogel decided to go small in the second half.
Suns’ struggles carryover: Clippers dominate with 138-111 final score
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
