Kevin Durant Points Out Suns’ Struggles Against Versatile Big Men
Kevin Durant has highlighted a recurring issue for the Phoenix Suns: their struggles against teams with versatile and lengthy front-court players. After a 120-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Durant, who led all scorers with 37 points, addressed the Suns’ difficulty in handling athletic teams with size.
“Yeah, I think the games that we did lose this year have been against teams with length and athleticism,” Durant said, adding that turnovers and allowing too many 3-point shots also play a major role in their defeats.
Despite this, Durant believes the Suns have the capability to overcome these challenges, citing the versatility and effort of their roster. However, their performance against Indiana exposed some glaring weaknesses.
Suns’ Defensive and Turnover Struggles
Phoenix currently ranks 22nd in defensive rating and 19th in opponents’ 3-pointers made. Against the Pacers, they committed 16 turnovers, which led to 29 points for Indiana—the second-most points the Suns have allowed from turnovers this season.
The Pacers capitalized on their size and versatility, with 6-8 Pascal Siakam dominating the second half. Siakam posted 25 points, 18 rebounds, and a block, showcasing his ability to score, rebound, and defend. Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton, and Obi Toppin also contributed significantly, further exposing the Suns’ defensive deficiencies.
Phoenix ranks 20th in points allowed in the paint and 27th in points scored in the paint, underscoring their struggles against interior play.
Players Disagree on the Narrative
While Durant acknowledges the Suns’ struggles against bigger teams, Jusuf Nurkić and Bradley Beal downplayed the issue.
“I feel like we have a great team. … I don’t think we would be afraid of no one,” Nurkić said, attributing their struggles to a lack of ball movement and defensive stops.
Beal echoed a similar sentiment: “It’s not like they’re blowing us out. … Size doesn’t matter. It’s about who has the biggest heart, who wants to compete the hardest.”
What’s Next for the Suns?
The NBA is increasingly dominated by teams with versatile big men who can score inside, stretch the floor, and defend multiple positions. Teams like the Pacers, Timberwolves, and Magic have capitalized on these strengths, leading to six of Phoenix’s 12 losses this season.
To improve, the Suns must focus on limiting turnovers, improving perimeter defense, and finding ways to combat versatile lineups. Otherwise, their struggles against athletic teams with size could continue to undermine their title aspirations.
