Kevin Durant delivered another amazing performance with 40 points on a 57% shooting accuracy. Joining him was partner in lead, Devin Booker, with an additional 26 points to the tally. While the two scorers put on a clinic, none of the Portland Trail Blazers‘ players managed to score 25 points individually. Despite this, the determined and dedicated young squad, coupled with a game-sealing floater by Anfernee Simmons over KD, propelled the 7-19 Blazers to a victory over the Phoenix Suns.
De’Andre Ayton, previously traded by the Suns due to a perceived lack of effort and accountability, exacted sweet revenge with a double-double performance. He amassed 16 points and 15 rebounds. Although the Blazers trailed 61-49 at halftime, they orchestrated a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Suns 38-20 and ultimately securing the win.
1. The Suns cannot be contenders without their Big 3
Despite the Phoenix Suns possessing one of the NBA’s most talented backcourts, the trio of offensive guards has yet to showcase their mesmerizing plays to the crowd. Compounding the issue is the fact that the trio hasn’t had the opportunity to fully synchronize their on-court dynamics due to persistent injury problems on the roster.
The Suns strategically acquired Bradley Beal with a specific plan in mind. However, thus far, the execution of that plan has fallen significantly short. With regular losses to younger and more determined teams, it appears that deploying Bradley Beal on the court alongside KD and Book is the ultimate resort for the Suns to make a compelling run in the regular season.
2. Massive games by Kevin Durant need a tad bit more help
In the Phoenix Suns’ recent stretch, they’ve faced a challenging period, losing 7 out of their last 10 games. Their victories came against the leaderless Memphis Grizzlies, a Golden State Warriors team missing their floor general, and the bottom of the lot Washington Wizards. Across various matchups, ranging from Brooklyn to Toronto, the Suns have only experienced setbacks.
Despite the team’s struggles, Kevin Durant has consistently delivered impressive performances, scoring 30 points or coming close in each of the Suns’ last 10 games. This highlights that the root of the issue lies elsewhere, particularly with the other starters. Jusuf Nurkic, in particular, needs to enhance his efficiency and contribute a more consistent scoring output. Once Nurkic becomes a more reliable presence, it could create opportunities to open the floor for players like Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon. The Suns’ path to improvement seems to hinge on addressing the need for other players to step up.
3. Portland can still build something
Scoot Henderson has yet to unveil his full potential. Regardless, things are looking up for them. Anfernee Simons has assumed the leadership, averaging nearly 25 points per game and notching multiple 30-point games in recent stints. With just a few adjustments during the trade waves, Portland has the opportunity to inject a significant dose of promise into what has been a somewhat dismal season.
