With the revamped lineup that they hoped would help them challenge for an NBA title, the Phoenix Suns are finally beginning to win regularly.
As the regular season winds down and the postseason draws near, Phoenix needs to find a consistent high level of play, according to Suns coach Monty Williams.
Prior to Sunday’s game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City, the Suns had won four straight.
With five games remaining, the Suns (42-35) are currently fourth in the Western Conference.
Although Phoenix is currently five games behind Sacramento, the Suns still have a lot to play for against teams that are nipping at their heels.
The Thunder (38-40) also have a lot at stake because they started the game in 10th place in the Western Conference, just ahead of Dallas for the final play-in tournament spot.
By losing two of their last three games, all to teams near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Thunder missed out on a chance to move into the top six in the Western Conference or secure a spot in the Play-In.
Sunday’s down figures to be Kevin Durant’s most memorable in Oklahoma City – – where he burned through eight seasons – – since being exchanged to the Suns from the Brooklyn Nets toward the beginning of February.
Durant missed 10 games due to an ankle injury suffered in warmups prior to the Suns’ March 8 victory over the Thunder in Phoenix. In his two games since returning, Durant is averaging 23 points and shooting 48.5% from the field.
Durant scored 30 points on 11 of 15 shots in the win over Denver on Friday.
In 11 games against the Thunder in his career, Durant has averaged 32 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
Durant became a superstar in Oklahoma City during his first nine seasons with the Thunder franchise.
This season, the Suns have prevailed in two of the three meetings.
Oklahoma City’s solitary success came in the last gathering, 124-120, at home on March 19.
