Kevin Durant led the Phoenix Suns had won eight of their 10 previous games before facing the unexpected defeat to the LA Lakers for the third time already this season. KD and his duo partner Devin Booker have been remarkable so far, but it seems the Lakers are a big problem to them.
Durant who had a stellar performance on Tuesday night saw his effort thwarted by an unexpected event, which was in Lakers’ favor. KD couldn’t hold back his frustration as he unleashed a cryptic message to sarcastically compliment the Lakers in the wake of a disappointing exit from the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Kevin Durant unleashes frustration in cryptic Lakers compliments
The Phoenix Suns experienced a heart-wrenching exit from the NBA In-Season Tournament as the Los Angeles Lakers secured the last semifinal spot with a hard-fought 106-103 victory on Tuesday night.
Despite Kevin Durant’s stellar 31-point performance, the Suns couldn’t withstand the Lakers’ determined fourth-quarter surge. Devin Booker and Grayson Allen contributed 21 points each, but it wasn’t sufficient to overcome the Lakers’ late-game push.
When Durant was asked to predict the tournament’s winner, he acknowledged the Lakers’ strengths and selected the purple and gold.
“I’m going to go with the Lakers because they beat us. They got the size to compete with anybody. They’ve got the quickest flight out of anybody. The most fans out of anybody. It’s set up for them to win.”
The Suns faced a challenging run, always trailing by two or three points and occasionally taking the lead. Despite the disappointment of not being a contender in the inaugural in-season tournament and missing out on its benefits, the Lakers now advance to face the New Orleans Pelicans in one semifinal, while the Milwaukee Bucks clash with the Indiana Pacers in the other, promising an exciting showdown in Las Vegas.
Kevin Durant refused to blame the Suns’ defeat on the timeout call
On Tuesday evening, the Phoenix Suns faced a defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers in California, with a final score of 106-103, marking their elimination from the In-Season Tournament. The game’s conclusion sparked controversy as the Lakers were granted a timeout to retain possession of a seemingly loose ball.
Following the game, Kevin Durant addressed the media and shared his perspective on the ending. Durant emphasized the importance of not dwelling on a single play, considering the game’s entirety and the need to play through challenges without overly relying on referees’ decisions.
Kevin Durant’s excellent performance for the night was notable, contributing 31 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block. Despite his efforts, the Suns’ record now stands at 12-9 in their first 21 games, placing them as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Over the last ten games, they have a 7-3 record and are gearing up for their upcoming matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Friday in Arizona. While the Suns are striving for consistency, the Lakers have secured a spot in the In-Season Tournament’s final four and are determined to clinch the competition.
