Josh Giddey’s Oklahoma City Thunder may be grateful the Dallas Mavericks are additionally struggling to win as they battle desperately to maintain their NBA playoffs hopes alive.
Australian guard Giddey scored 16 factors and supplied eight assists and 9 rebounds however the Thunder fell to a 128-118 dwelling loss to the star-studded Phoenix Suns on Sunday night time.
Kevin Durant – as soon as a hero in Oklahoma City after main the Thunder to the 2012 Finals – was roundly booed as he led the Suns with 35 factors whereas Devin Booker had 22, Deandre Ayton 19 and Chris Paul 16.
Phoenix remained fourth within the Western Conference standings.
Oklahoma City, who’re battling for a spot within the Western Conference Play-In event, misplaced for the third time of their final 4 video games regardless of 39 factors from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With three video games remaining in opposition to Golden State, Utah and Memphis, the Thunder stay within the closing play-in spot – tenth – a sport forward of Dallas, who suffered a heartbreaking 132-130 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in additional time.
“We’ve got a week left in the regular season, and if (we) bring the same level of focus, competitiveness, physicality, execution (and) game plan … we’ll be able to lay our head on the pillow at night,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault mentioned.
“I just thought we played at a really high level today and they were just a better team on this day.”
Despite boasting superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks (37-42) have misplaced three straight and 7 of their final eight and still have three video games left.
Hawks star Trae Young made two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining in additional time to disclaim the Mavericks in Atlanta on Sunday. He had been fouled by Irving, who scored 41 factors. Following Young’s free throws, Doncic, who scored 22 factors, missed a last-second 3-pointer try.
The Hawks (39-39) moved again into eighth place within the Eastern Conference play-in race.
“We know the position we’re in,” mentioned Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “We’re playing catch-up. We’ve got to find a way to win and right now we’re coming up short.”
with The AP
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
