The Minnesota Timberwolves blew out the Phoenix Suns 116-98 at Footprint Center on Sunday, and Kevin Durant cut a frustrated figure postgame. When speaking about how he would personally reset after a tough loss like that, Durant criticized the Suns for embarrassing themselves with how they played.
“It’s tough, man. It’s a s***** game,” Durant said. “We didn’t play up to our standards at all. We embarrassed the fans, we embarrassed ourselves (with) the way we played. I want us to be better.”
The Suns started off well and even led by as many as 12 points early on, but crumbled after that. They scored just 17 points in the second quarter and 21 in the third as the Timberwolves put the clamps on them.
The Suns struggled particularly with ball security, as they committed 22 turnovers. Those miscues resulted in 40 points for the Timberwolves, and it’s hard for any team, particularly one that’s struggling, to overcome that.
Durant committed four of those 22 turnovers but had a solid showing apart from that. The 36-year-old finished with 26 points (10-23 FG), 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, but the Suns needed a lot more from him if they were to win this one.
This loss to the Timberwolves was the Suns’ 11th in their last 14 games, and they have now dropped to 28-33 this season. They are currently 11th in the West and are in real danger of missing even the Play-in Tournament.
No one could have seen this coming after the Suns got off to an 8-1 start, but they have fallen apart after that. Sure, injuries have played a part in their struggles, but this team is struggling now even when the big guns are healthy.
This season looks set to end in disappointment for the Suns, and it will also likely be Durant’s last in Phoenix. Durant and the Suns are expected to work together on a trade after this season, with him going to a contending team. It will be interesting to see where the 15-time All-Star ends up.
For now, though, he is with the Suns and will be in action next when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Footprint Center on Tuesday at 10 PM ET.
Anthony Edwards Explains Why He Dominates Against The Suns
The Timberwolves have now won seven in a row against the Suns (regular season and playoffs), and Anthony Edwards has been a big reason for that. Edwards put up 44 points (12-22 FG), five rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in this latest win, and postgame, he was asked why he dominates against the Suns.
“Kevin Durant,” Edwards said. “Anywhere Kevin Durant plays, I’m going to be ready to play him… That’s my favorite player of all time. He’s the greatest player, to me. I want to beat him. I want to go against him.”
Well, whichever contender trades for Durant better be aware of the fact that Edwards will have some extra motivation when he plays them. He just took over in the second half of this contest with 29 points, and the Suns had no answer for him. The Suns will have to play against Edwards one more time this season on March 28, and they certainly aren’t looking forward to that game.
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