The Phoenix Suns continue to be embarrassed on national television, as their Big 3 landed on this week’s edition of Shaqtin’ a Fool.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant’s separate mistakes had them place No. 4 on this week’s Shaqtin’ list, which showcases the top bad plays of the week on NBA on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” show.
The blooper reel included a Beal missed dunk, two bad turnovers by Booker and a missed alley-oop finish by Durant.
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart flopping placed No. 3, Philadelphia 76ers sttar Joel Embiid making an unusual motion towards the ball was No. 2 and Kenny Smith was in first place after saying he would never lose a race to the big board in the playoffs and doing so to Charles Barkley the next day.
"That was the greatest #Shaqtin ever" 🤣💀@TheJetOnTNT's undefeated streak in Studio J barely lasted one day! pic.twitter.com/BXtwtaEEBW
— Shaqtin' a Fool (@shaqtin) April 26, 2024
As exemplified in the video, the three Suns stars have combined for 23 turnovers across the team’s first two playoff games, contributing to the Suns league-worst average of 17.5 turnovers per game in the playoffs. Booker, Beal and Durant are also shooting 43-for-103 (41.7%) combined in the two games and 13-for-37 (35.1%) from 3.
The No. 6 Suns are currently down 2-0 in their first-round series to the No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves with both losses coming in blowout fashion.
During the regular season in comparison, the Suns had an offensive rating of 120.5, a defensive rating of 114.0 and a net rating of 6.6 across 862 minutes in 41 games with the trio in the regular season.
Booker, Beal and Durant were particularly bad in Game 2.
In Tuesday’s 105-93 loss, the Big 3 finished a combined 18-for-45 (40%) from the floor with 12 of the team’s 19 turnovers, while each playing over 40 minutes. Booker had 20 points (6-of-13 shooting, 1-of-6 from 3), five assists, three rebounds, six fouls, six turnovers and was a -24 in terms of plus/minus. Durant was also a -24, as he had 18 points (6-of-15 shooting, 0-of-2 from 3), six rebounds, two assists and two turnovers. Beal finished with 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting (2-of-4 from 3), six assists, four rebounds and four turnovers and was a -21.
These three still have a chance to show why they are three of the best players in the world and why owner Mat Ishbia assembled the Suns’ roster around them in hopes of winning a championship.
The Suns play their first home game of the series tonight at 7:30 p.m. MST, as they look to become only the 34th team in NBA history to come back from an 0-2 deficit.
Devin Booker, Kevin Durant call for fans to ‘not count us out’
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
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
