Kevin Durant has never been one to sugarcoat his performances, and after the Phoenix Suns’ recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the 13-time All-Star was as candid as ever.
Despite dropping 30 points, Durant’s focus postgame was on what went wrong defensively—and how his mistakes contributed to the Suns’ defeat.
Durant’s offensive output might jump off the stat sheet, but numbers rarely tell the entire story. Devin Booker’s 31-point performance was equally impressive, yet it wasn’t enough to stave off a Nets team that capitalized on defensive lapses early and often. Speaking to reporters, Durant was quick to highlight the Suns’ inability to contain the Nets’ attack, especially in the critical first quarter.
“I think we left Tyrese Martin open too many times early on,” Durant admitted. “Maybe because we’ve never seen a player like him before, but that’s no excuse. Everyone who steps on the court deserves respect.” Martin’s 30-point effort set the tone for a Brooklyn team that looked comfortable exploiting Phoenix’s defensive gaps.
The game also marked a homecoming of sorts for Durant, who spent memorable seasons in Brooklyn before joining the Suns. While there were no signs of nostalgia on the court, Durant acknowledged that facing his former team always adds an extra layer of intensity. However, intensity alone wasn’t enough to overcome turnovers and miscues that plagued the Suns throughout the night.
“It was one of those games where they kind of controlled things from the start,” Durant reflected. “We made mistakes, and they took advantage of them. They knocked down shots all night, and I have to give them credit. They pressured us the entire game, forcing turnovers—I had seven of them. That’s on me.”
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Turnovers, in fact, were a major storyline. The Suns coughed up the ball repeatedly under pressure, with Durant’s seven turnovers standing out. The self-assessment was blunt: “I can’t have seven turnovers if we want to win,” he admitted. That level of accountability is what has made Durant not only one of the league’s top scorers but also a respected leader.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer echoed Durant’s sentiments but directed much of the credit to the Nets. “We weren’t at our best, but credit goes to Brooklyn and their players. They played well,” Budenholzer said. “We need to be better—I’d like us to be better. But it’s not all on us.”
For the Suns, defensive adjustments came too late. Durant noted how the Nets’ ability to penetrate the paint and create open looks from beyond the arc put Phoenix on its heels. “Defensively, they really got into the paint. They ran some solid actions for their shooters, and they made the most of their three-point opportunities. They’re one of the best in the league at it,” Durant explained.
Even when the Suns tried to adapt, the timing wasn’t right. “Once we started to adjust, I felt like we switched it up a little too late in the game. We had a couple of good defensive possessions, but it wasn’t enough to make a difference,” Durant added.
Looking ahead, the Suns know there’s little time to dwell on the loss. A Thanksgiving break offers a brief reprieve before they face another Western Conference powerhouse: the Golden State Warriors. For Durant, the focus will be on cleaning up mistakes and re-establishing the defensive intensity that has defined the Suns in recent seasons.
Budenholzer’s message to his team was clear: learn from the loss but move forward. The season is long, and games like this one—while frustrating—can serve as valuable lessons. “We’ll take a look at the film, make the necessary adjustments, and get ready for the Warriors,” he said.
For Durant, the goal remains the same: bring a championship to Phoenix. Nights like this one, while disappointing, are part of the grind. “We just have to be better,” Durant concluded.
As the Suns prepare for their next challenge, Durant’s leadership and accountability will be key. The loss to Brooklyn was a reminder that no team—no matter how talented—is immune to lapses. For the Suns, the road to redemption starts with reflection and a renewed focus on defense.
