Suns Sleepwalk in Loss to Spurs

The Phoenix Suns didn't take the San Antonio Spurs seriously.

Mar 25, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) backs in against San / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns had a prime opportunity to gain more momentum heading into a ridiculously tough stretch of their schedule with a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.

For a team with the stature of Phoenix, possessing the firepower against an obviously inferior team such as the San Antonio Spurs who were without the talents of Victor Wembanyama, the Suns should have skated to a smooth victory.

Yet it was the Spurs who showed up to play.

San Antonio emerged victorious in 104-102 fashion, giving the Spurs their 16th win of the season after previously being rolled by the Suns on Saturday.

For lack of better term, Phoenix managed to sleepwalk their way through a contest they were heavily expected to win. The Suns found themselves down early and despite taking a late 102-101 lead with around a minute left, Frank Vogel's squad was unable to capitalize on what might have been the easiest game remaining on their schedule.

It wasn't as if Phoenix never had control - as numerous points throughout the game saw the Suns take what appeared to be a potentially commanding lead before failing to keep their foot on the gas.

15 Suns turnovers best describe what's been a deeper issue for Vogel's team all season. The team did find themselves down Jusuf Nurkic in the second half after he exited with an injury, though Phoenix still shot better percentages across the court and out-rebounded San Antonio en route to their loss.

From an individual standpoint, the efforts of Devin Booker/Kevin Durant led the Suns with a combined 65 points. No other Suns player besides Royce O'Neale (12) had double digit points, rebounds or assists.

It was a more even effort received from the Spurs, who saw all of Zach Collins (18), Jeremy Sochan (26), Devin Vassell (26) and Keldon Johnson (14) contribute to the win despite making just 8-31 attempts from downtown and without their best player in Wembanyama.

The Suns are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to face the Denver Nuggets. As of publish, Phoenix sits in the West's No. 8 spot.

Inconsistency again plagued the Suns, a theme far too familiar this season.