Suns lose in first game without Durant
The Kings had their closers, and the Suns didn't have their simplest explanation for the Phoenix overtime loss tonight in their first game without Kevin Durant. The Suns faltered with a lead in the fourth quarter, and then in overtime, the Kings meanwhile hit their last seven shots. Deer and Fox and DEMAR de Rosen each score eight in overtime, and it snaps the Suns seven-game win streak.
Both De Rosa and Fox made a lot of plays, uh, you know, going down the stretch and, in overtime, getting to their spots and making shots. De Rosen and Fox were a torturous tandem for the Suns in the final stages. De Rosen had 15 in the 4th and 34 for the game. Fox meanwhile scored the King's final eight points.
Bolser said they tried to focus on both of them, but it was a losing battle. You have to give De Rozan a lot of credit. He's a great player. He's a tough cover. Um We didn't get it done. You know, we tried a couple of different things. Um, they also Fox, same thing, uh Fox, and De Rozan were great down the stretch, cold blood and closers on one end, just plain cold on the other.
The Suns missed their final five shots of the game. Devin Booker missed his last six apparently, still recovering from a lingering sickness. I gotta find a way to get him a break and, um, you know, get him, you know, even when he's healthy, get him his rest. The guy the sons had been relying on in these moments is also healthy tonight.
His absence felt and his presence missed us learning how to play. Um, without Kevin at the end of the game, another close game put us under cooker pressure, and, uh, you know, I think we had some good possessions, and I'm sure we'll look at some possessions and feel like we could be better. The Suns weren't just down Durant, and this one, Yusuf, didn't play at all during the second half.
He came in with ankle soreness, and it was that same injury that forced him out of the game. Bradley Beal also hurt both his ankle and his knee. He said post-game that the ankle is fine but his knee is now aching from his death. Now being tested, it will be tested some more for the upcoming four-game road trip.
