NBA regular season continues, with the Phoenix Suns suffering a 117-122 loss on the road against the Atlanta Hawks. In this game, the Suns started off well offensively but were unable to exert pressure defensively, trailing by 2 points at the end of the first quarter with a score of 31-33. In the second quarter, their defense showed no improvement, and as their offensive state declined, their disadvantage gradually increased. At halftime, the Suns were down by 8 points with a score of 56-64. In the third quarter, the point difference quickly widened to over 10 points, but fortunately, the Suns found their offensive rhythm again, not allowing the Hawks many counterattacks. They launched a 29-13 run, instantly turning the situation around. However, in the fourth quarter, the Suns' offense became unstable once more, relying only on their star players to barely maintain their lead. Combined with poor defense, they ultimately lost their advantage and the game. After the loss, the Suns' record stands at 19 wins and 20 losses. So where exactly did the Suns lose this game? Perhaps the data can provide us with some answers.
Kevin Durant shot 13 out of 20 from the field, 0 out of 2 from three-point range, and 5 out of 7 from the free-throw line, scoring 31 points with 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers. Today, Durant's performance was almost impeccable. He played efficiently and consistently, delivering an impressive display on both ends of the court despite his high minutes. This is reflected in the statistics. However, it is clear that Durant did not receive enough support, especially on the defensive end. Not only was there no one to help him with the dirty work, but many things required Durant's attention.
Devin Booker shot 12 out of 23 from the field, 7 out of 14 from three-point range, and 4 out of 4 from the free-throw line, scoring 35 points with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 5 turnovers. Booker's performance today was already outstanding. He did everything he could, with a high scoring output and efficiency. His other contributions, such as assists and defensive activity, were also commendable. Aside from a few too many turnovers, there were hardly any flaws. Yet, even with Durant and Booker exploding together, the Suns were still unable to defeat a team on the edge of the playoffs, which clearly indicates how poor their other positions were.
Dunn shot 6 out of 12 from the field, 1 out of 4 from three-point range, and 1 out of 3 from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points with 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. The young player performed well today, very actively, doing well in both cutting and defense. However, facing the Hawks' group of highly talented forwards, Dunn's athletic abilities were somewhat lacking, which can be seen from the rebounding competition.
Tyus Jones shot 3 out of 5 from the field, 1 out of 2 from three-point range, and 1 out of 2 from the free-throw line, contributing 8 points with 1 rebound and 6 assists. Overall, Jones had a good performance today, with notable moments. However, his physique has its limitations. Facing average teams is manageable, but against young teams like the Hawks who can run and jump, with a generally tall physique, Jones' effectiveness on the court diminishes. Even if his shooting touch is good, Budenholzer hesitates to keep him on the court in crucial moments.
Plumlee shot 1 out of 2 from the field and 1 out of 1 from the free-throw line, scoring 3 points with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and 1 turnover. He tried his best, but Plumlee is not a big center. Facing the Hawks' forward group, he could hardly gain any advantage under the basket, and his rim protection was virtually non-existent. His defensive switching and awareness were lacking, and he missed some threes.
Among the bench players, Beal shot 3 out of 9 from the field, 1 out of 4 from three-point range, and 4 out of 6 from the free-throw line, scoring 11 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover. Returning from injury is indeed admirable, but on the basketball court, performance and ability speak volumes. Beal is far from delivering the level expected for his $50 million salary, which has a significant negative impact on the Suns.
Regarding the remaining bench role players, Grayson Allen shot 3 out of 4 from the field, 3 out of 4 from three-point range, scoring 9 points with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover. He seized every opportunity presented to him, demonstrating accuracy. Iguodala and Royce O'Neal had average performances, making no significant contributions. The Suns' overall bench performance was average, mainly because Beal did not explode, and the others simply did not have outstanding abilities.