Lhe Suns are beginning to need the return of Kevin Durant if they want to certify their qualification for the playoffs and for him to finish joining the team for the title series. The star signing, about whom there were rumors of his return this Sunday, suffered an ankle sprain during the warm-up of what was to be his debut in Phoenix and since then he has not played. With him, balance of 3-0. Without him, 5-7, including the last setback in Oklahoma City (124-120).
The Suns lost despite Devin Booker’s 46 points, 30 of them after the break. The guard made 18/28 in field goals. But he had an answer in the ranks of the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit 40 on 12/24 shooting in play and 16/19 from personal.
The first had the help of Chris Paul, who had 14 points and 13 assists, but Deandre Ayton was added to Durant’s loss due to a blow to his right hip. Lu Dort, with 20 points, seconded the local star.
With the defeat, the Suns remain fourth in the West, already 5.5 games behind the Grizzlies and, in a Conference so tight in the middle zone, they begin to feel harassed by the Clippers, the Mavericks… The Thunder, meanwhile, They climb up to ninth place after winning four of their last five games and dream of being in the play-in… at the very least.
