Kevin Durant said the Phoenix Suns had embarrassed themselves and their fans after Sunday's 116-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves extended their miserable run. (More NBA News)
Phoenix were well beaten on their home court as they suffered an 11th loss in their last 14 games, dropping them to 28-33 for the season.
They are now four games back of the Dallas Mavericks for the West's final play-in spot and look likely to miss the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Durant had a team-high 26 points, plus 10 rebounds and four assists, but he received little support from elsewhere as his team collapsed having led 51-49 at half-time.
"We didn't play up to our standards at all," Durant said.
"We embarrassed the fans and we embarrassed ourselves the way we played. I want us to be better.
"When adversity hits, we start floating a little as a team. That's tough to deal with."
Anthony Edwards was the star of the show, sinking 44 points and making all 14 of his free throw attempts, while Donte DiVincenzo tacked on 24 and Julius Randle added 20.
He was particularly pleased to have produced those returns against his basketball idol, two-time NBA champion Durant.
"He's my favourite player of all time," Edwards told The Athletic. "He's the greatest player to me. I want to beat him. I want to go against him."Â
Phoenix host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday before embarking on a four-game road stretch, and head coach Mike Budenholzer knows that if they are to make the playoffs, their upturn must start soon.
"We've got to go on a run, but it's got to start," he said.Â
"There's no doubt that the standings, the circumstances that we're in, there's an awareness and we've got to do something to change it."
