The Phoenix Suns went back home empty-handed.
They couldn’t beat the Denver Nuggets in either of their first two matchups of this second-round series, and history isn’t exactly on Phoenix’s side.
According to SportsCenter, the Suns are 0-13 in a best-of-7 series when trailing 0-2.
Can the Suns bounce back? 👀 pic.twitter.com/cUv4rPRZr0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 2, 2023
More than that, they might be without veteran point guard Chris Paul for Game 3 after he left the floor with left groin tightness in Game 2.
Paul hasn’t been much of a factor scoring-wise, but he’s their floor general and one of the greatest players when it comes to pulling the strings of the offense.
In the Game 2 loss, the Suns immediately felt Paul’s absence following the injury.
The offense got stagnant and predictable with backup point guard Cameron Payne on the floor.
Devin Booker handled some playmaking duties with Paul off the court, but it didn’t work out, as the Nuggets went on a run to seal a comeback victory at home.
Denver center Nikola Jokic is playing like the two-time MVP he is, and point guard Jamal Murray managed to hit some huge shots down the stretch, even in a game where he struggled from the perimeter for most of the time.
The Nuggets defense has made life difficult for Phoenix’s All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Booker.
They’ve had to settle for contested jumpers, and even though they’re two of the best scorers in the league, that iso-heavy offense isn’t going to get you far in the playoffs.
Durant and Booker will have to face their toughest challenge yet, so let’s hope they’re up for the task before this becomes yet another failed playoff run for both.
NEXT:
Shaq Calls Out Suns Star After Game 1 Performance
