The sinking of Phoenix seems to have no end. Despite starting the season at a high level to the point of being at the top of the Western Conference with 16-7 at the beginning of December, in just over a month everything seems to have blown up to the point of having signed from that moment on. a 5-16. They do not raise their heads. The recurring absences of Chris Paul and Devin Booker’s injury (should be back in about 10 days), they threaten a project that currently lives on the edge of job posts. play-in con 21-23.
What lived last night in Minnesota is nothing more than a new episode in the turbulent wandering of those from Arizona. Without counting on its starting backcourt, Phoenix found itself completely outclassed by a rival that was leading by up to 24 points midway through the second quarter. Monty Williams’ boys had a timid reaction that was only enough to make up the result in the last quarter and end up losing 121-116.
“The beginning was perfect, but the ending was pretty bad. Not everything will always be perfect, but we could have finished a little better, that’s for sure”, comments Anthony Edwards, author of 31 points, about a game in which his team conceded 41 points in the last twelve minutes.
Chris Finch, head coach of the Wolves, agrees with the analysis of his star. “We’ve been in the habit all season of building up the lead and somehow letting our momentum drop with bad shooting and turnovers that lead to crazy offense from our opponents. Tonight was a classic example of that. In any case, I think we did things well during 80% of the game.”
With the victory, Minnesota is placed with a balance of 21-22, which allows it to be ninth in the West, just ahead of Phoenix. Along with Edwards, there were five other players in double-digit scoring, highlighting D’Angelo Russell’s 17 points and Taurean Prince’s 16 off the bench.
Phoenix, a matter of insistence
Monty Williams is aware of the bad moment his team is going through, but he does not have any intention of giving up. The coach points out that the message for the group is to maintain the level of concentration and energy night after night, since that will be what makes them get out of the hole in which they find themselves.
“I told the guys that we have to keep our spirit in a good place because when everything starts to come together, it can multiply. We just have to stay connected to each other,” he says.
Regarding individual performances, Damion Lee was the top scorer with 31 points off the bench. He also had a remarkable performance by Mikal Bridges with 24 goals to which he added six assists and three steals.
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)