Kevin Durant scored 37 the night after reaching 30k career points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Suns‘ 119-111 loss to Houston. Phoenix enters the All Star break 26-28, 11th in the West a game behind the Warriors for the final play-in spot.
Playing without co-star Devin Booker (back) and Bradley Beal (toe), Durant kept his team in the game with another efficient performance, shooting 15 of 22 from the field to go with 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals.
Postgame, he discussed his mindset on a night where he was the Suns’ only real scoring threat.
Undermanned Phoenix Suns Kept It Close Vs Houston Rockets by “Taking Risks,” Says Kevin Durant
The sole blemish on an admirable effort, Durant committed seven turnovers, something he addressed to reporters.
“I keep telling you this, I’m not going to play conservative,” he said. “I’m going to try to take risks and try to be aggressive and sometimes that might result in a few turnovers, but if you look at the game, we pretty much had the game.”
Phoenix took a 92-84 lead into the fourth quarter before things started to unravel. “It’s a make or miss league, a shotmaker’s league,” said Durant.
Citing Houston’s execution late, he referenced a pair of Dillon Brooks triples and one from Jalen Green in the last three-and-a-half minutes to pull away from the Suns. “You got to give them credit for making shots.”
Durant cut the margin to four, 115-111, with 43 seconds left, but the Suns were forced to foul after that and the Rockets sealed the game at the free throw line.
Point guard Tyus Jones also had an uncharacteristically loose handle, giving it away six times, including four times in the final period. Seven of the team’s 18 turnovers occurred in the fourth quarter.
Forcing the issue, however, was part of Durant’s game plan, and what helped build the Suns’ third quarter lead. “Especially when we’re missing guys, I’m not going to be conservative out there ’cause I don’t want to turn the ball over. Sorry Suns fans, you’re just gonna have to deal with me trying.”
Despite Durant and Booker’s best efforts, Phoenix has dropped three straight and six of seven, its last W an overtime affair with Utah powered by Booker’s 47 points.
“Inspired,” Other Suns Follow KD’s Lead
In addition to Beal and Booker, the Suns were also missing wing Grayson Allen, who sat out with left knee soreness. But role players stepped up.
Reserve guard TyTy Washington, playing in just his seventh game this season, notched season-highs in points (11) and minutes (26) off the bench. Collin Gillespie, making his eighth appearance, did the same, scoring 9 points in 15 minutes of action.
Finally seeing court-time of late, Bol Bol added 15 points; Royce O’Neale shot 4-5 from distance for 14 points. Center Nick Richards scored 11 and grabbed 13 boards.
Durant praised Washington and Gillespie in particular for rising to the occasion. As the only active member of the team’s big three, he set an example through aggressive play.
“They get inspired when they see me going out there and trying. When I play with that energy, I think my teammates feed off that. I’m just trying to put my head down and make it work.”
“I think I got some good looks by forcing it a little bit,” Durant said. His 68.2 FG% would seem to corroborate his claim.
With the Suns stumbling into the break, Durant will turn his focus to some R&R before All Star weekend, where he will join ex-teammates Steph Curry and James Harden on Team Shaq.
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