Kevin Durant’s heated sideline exchange with coach Mike Budenholzer may have been the only noteworthy aspect of the Suns’ loss to the Lakers on Sunday, wrote Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The incident signals that Durant remains invested in the Phoenix’s success despite reports suggesting he may request a trade this summer.
The Suns have struggled to make up ground on the 10th-place Mavericks, who are also dealing with a series of injuries. Phoenix has posted a 4-6 record over its last 10 games and sits a game and a half behind Dallas with fewer than four weeks remaining in the regular season.
“There’s still (14) games left. We need to get into the play-in, we need to get into the playoffs and try and do something there,” Budenholzer told reporters after the loss. “There is a lot of talent in our locker room. There is a lot of fight in our locker room.
“So we got to get in (the play-in), and then we got to play good basketball, win games. But we got to start winning to get there, and I think the guys know that. And I think the mindset and the fight, in the first quarter, wasn’t where it needs to be.”
Kevin Durant and Mike Budenholzer exchange words during the timeout.
(via @TSN_Sports)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 16, 2025
Budenholzer downplayed the confrontation with Durant, calling it a typical disagreement over defensive rotations. Durant did not address the media following the game, opting instead to quickly leave the locker room after a brief shower, according to Vardon.
The Suns’ struggles are perplexing, as they appeared to be one of the NBA’s top teams early in the season with an 8-1 start. The roster, featuring Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, possesses significant firepower, and the front office believed it had bolstered the coaching staff by hiring Budenholzer, a former NBA champion coach.
While some have criticized Beal’s performance, Vardon notes that he has been solid as the team’s third option, averaging 17.3 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field and nearly 40% from three-point range. However, Beal was forced to sit out the second half of Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury and is considered questionable for the Suns’ next game against Toronto.
Phoenix’s defensive struggles remain a major concern, as the team ranks 27th in the league in defensive rating. Budenholzer emphasized the need for improvement in that area following Sunday’s loss. Vardon also pointed to the Suns’ inconsistent 3-point shooting, with the team missing 18 of their first 20 attempts from beyond the arc against the Lakers.
“We’ve shown we can do it in spots, and that’s what makes it even more frustrating,” Booker said. “We have a game like last game (a 122-106 win over Sacramento), and then we come in and miss a few shots, which affects our defense, which, you know, affects our offense. So, it’s a domino effect. If you’re playing with energy and effort, you can sleep well at night, regardless. And I don’t think we’re doing that right now.”
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