In the intense match against the Hawks, the Suns suffered a disappointing defeat with a score of 117-122. This was already a hard-fought loss that was difficult for the team to accept, but for the Suns' owner, the anger went beyond just the loss on the scoreboard. Behind this, there were four deep-seated problems that weighed heavily on him, making it unbearable.
- The Weakness of the Frontcourt Exposed, Becoming an Opponent's Breakthrough Point
During the game, Durant and Booker shone as the twin stars. Durant had an efficient game with 13 out of 20 shots made, scoring 31 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists; Booker also unleashed his firepower, making 12 out of 23 shots, including 7 out of 14 three-pointers, to score 35 points. However, despite such impressive statistics, they were unable to help the team win. The key issue lay in the Suns' weak frontcourt. Plumlee performed averagely on the court, contributing only 3 points and 5 rebounds, with numerous defensive lapses. This allowed the Hawks' Okongwu to dominate the paint, scoring 20 points and grabbing 20 rebounds for a super double-double. This contrast exposed the Suns' frontcourt weakness, which became the fatal flaw in their loss.
- The Backcourt Struggles, Bench Players Fall Short
The Suns' starting guard Jones shot 3 out of 5 in the game, scoring 8 points and providing 6 assists, which seemed average at first glance. However, when compared to the Hawks' Trae Young, the gap became clear. Trae Young shot 13 out of 30 from the field, including 6 out of 12 three-pointers, to score a whopping 40 points, repeatedly tearing through the Suns' defense with his individual efforts. In the battle of the bench players, the Suns were still at a disadvantage. Allen scored 9 points on 3 out of 4 shooting, while the Hawks' Matthews shot 6 out of 10, including 5 out of 8 three-pointers, to score 19 points. The Suns' bench players failed to provide enough firepower support in critical moments, causing the team to gradually fall into a passive position during rotation phases.
- Beal's Injury Complicates Matters, Affecting Team Competitiveness
During the game, Beal's injury further exacerbated the Suns' difficulties. After getting injured mid-game, he left the court for treatment briefly before returning to play through the pain. In 27 minutes of play, Beal shot 3 out of 9, scoring 11 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. However, this injury undoubtedly disrupted the team's tactical deployment, especially during the time he was off the court due to injury, where the team's offensive rhythm was noticeably affected. Although Beal eventually returned to the court without serious injury, this incident still had a significant negative impact on the team.
- Nurkic's Trade Stalls, League "Takes Advantage of the Fire"
According to media reports, the Suns encountered difficulties in trade negotiations involving Nurkic. With the team's insufficient frontcourt strength and the urgent need to strengthen through trades, this situation was noticed by other teams in the league. In trade negotiations, other teams demanded exorbitant prices. For example, the Wizards asked for an unprotected first-round pick for Valanciunas, who was worth only two second-round picks; the Bulls were even more excessive, asking for two first-round picks for Vucevic, who was already valued at one protected first-round pick. These trade demands, which clearly had the intention of "taking advantage of the fire," infuriated the Suns' owner.
This loss to the Hawks is like a mirror, clearly reflecting the many problems currently plaguing the Suns. If these hidden dangers are not resolved quickly, the Suns will likely face even more setbacks and challenges in future games. The owner's anger may become an opportunity for change, prompting management to actively seek solutions to save the team from its difficulties.