Kevin Durant remains confident in the Phoenix Suns’ fight despite the team’s recent struggles. Following another tough loss, the former MVP emphasized that frustration within the locker room signals a desire to win.
“Most definitely. I feel like everybody wants to win. I feel like everybody’s pissed off,” Durant said when asked if he still senses fight in the team, according to Gerard Borguet. “When you see bad body language, that means people care. And guys care in this locker room, and I can tell they’re pissed.”
Phoenix suffered a 124-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night, marking its seventh defeat in the last eight games. The Suns now sit at 27-32, five games below .500, and outside of the Western Conference play-in picture.
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with a historic performance, recording his first career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Pelicans, now 16-43, extended their winning streak to three games while improving their road record to 5-24.
Devin Booker did his best to keep Phoenix competitive, finishing with a game-high 36 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Durant contributed 28 points, but the Suns struggled in the fourth quarter, shooting just 9-of-25 (36%) from the field and 2-of-14 (14.3%) from three-point range.
Despite the struggles, Durant remains focused on solutions rather than frustration. When asked about head coach Mike Budenholzer’s call for optimism, Durant kept his response measured. “I don’t wanna say the wrong thing and people take it out of context,” Durant said. “So I’m gonna just agree that we just gotta be better.”
New Orleans controlled the early portion of the game, jumping out to a 48-30 lead in the second quarter. Phoenix responded with a strong push, taking a 62-61 advantage into halftime behind Booker’s 17 first-half points.
The Suns held a 91-88 lead entering the fourth, but New Orleans surged late. Williamson’s two key buckets, along with a clutch three-pointer from Karlo Matkovic, sealed the win for the Pelicans. Phoenix’s defensive issues continued, as Budenholzer acknowledged postgame.
“We’ve got to find a way to get more stops,” Budenholzer said, per Duane Rankin. “We’re scoring enough to win, but defensively, we need to be better.”
Durant echoed that sentiment when asked what Phoenix must do to turn things around. “I gotta be way better,” he admitted. When asked in what areas, he simply responded, “Everything.”
The Suns’ struggles have become more concerning with the season nearing its final stretch. They remain outside the playoff picture, with time running out to make a push. Injuries have played a role, as Bradley Beal continues to miss time with a calf issue.
New Orleans capitalized on Phoenix’s inconsistency, with CJ McCollum scoring 19 points and Trey Murphy III hitting five three-pointers. Karlo Matkovic added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Yves Missi posted 11 points and 10 boards. Jose Alvarado provided a spark off the bench, contributing 14 points and five assists.
For the Suns, the path forward remains uncertain. Booker and Durant continue to produce, but without consistent defense and late-game execution, Phoenix risks falling further behind in the standings.
With 23 games left in the regular season, the Suns must find solutions quickly. Durant believes the fight is still there, but turning frustration into wins will be the real challenge.
