The Phoenix Suns had a berth in the NBA’s In-Season Tournament semifinal in the palm of their hand. Almost quite literally, in fact. But a “phantom timeout” that allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to keep possession in a thrilling 106-103 win on Monday night nullified Phoenix’s chances of advancing.
After the loss, Phoenix’s two franchise players — Kevin Durant and Devin Booker — sounded off on what sure seemed like a horrific call in the worst possible moment. To put it lightly, let’s just say that both approached the situation … very differently.
First, there was Durant. The prolific scorer said he didn’t want to complain about calls and that he felt Phoenix had lost the game long before that, particularly with 20 turnovers as a team. This, to me, is an excellent response from a leader. The sign of a superstar who knows he and his teammates simply have to play better so a win or loss isn’t decided by one instance of poor officiating. Sometimes, you just have to take responsibility for not bringing your absolute best to the court.
Here’s a video of Durant’s reflection:
Kevin Durant didn’t want to blame the Suns’ loss on the timeout call pic.twitter.com/JWagSb5v1R
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) December 6, 2023
Here’s a short transcript of Durant refusing to blame officials for the Suns’ elimination:
Kevin Durant on the timeout “That's not the ballgame. That's 1 play. It's a 48-minute game. I don't like to complain about calls. Sometimes the ref ain't gonna get it right. Sometimes it's on us to play through all that stuff & not worry about putting the game in the ref's hands”
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) December 6, 2023
Meanwhile, Booker didn’t seem as enthused or measured, at least in comparison to Durant.
Booker spent a lot more time fielding questions about the phantom timeout and did not, in fact, say he didn’t want to complain about officiating costing the Suns.
"The whole world seen it." 👀
-Devin Booker on Lakers timeout call pic.twitter.com/5LUnMOMdlJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2023
Devin Booker on the Lakers being granted a timeout while there seemed to be a loose ball: “We’re not asking for favoritism, just a fair chance.”
Full comments: pic.twitter.com/feSuW3Nmxt
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 6, 2023
What’s more, Booker posted (and then later deleted) an Instagram story that seemed to signal he was complaining about the key final sequence.
Gee, I wonder why he deleted it?
This defeat should not cost the Suns any of their long-term ambitions this season. They remain a top Western Conference power. But the contrast between their two leaders’ reactions in another elimination game is eye-opening. That’s not even mentioning the difference in their performances in a win-or-go-home affair, which was as follows:
- 31 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 12-of-17 shooting for Durant
- 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists on 6-of-16 shooting for Booker
Call it a hunch, but this kind of contrast will be something to monitor as the Suns try to get in a groove for an NBA title push over the next few months.
This was how Twitter reacted to Durant and Booker's respective reactions to the Lakers' phantom timeout
Booker went straight to IG after that horrid performance and KD says this. Different mindsets… https://t.co/oFfFx1GyE0
— LANI ❦ (@___lovelani) December 6, 2023
This the mentality you gotta have as a player when things settle. Can't be letting officiating get to your head and convincing yourself that's why you lost. KD a real one man. https://t.co/K2ZIYCLxJQ
— Automatic (@automaticnba) December 6, 2023
So much this. It's exhausting seeing all the whinging about referees in sports discourse these days. Yes, they make some bad calls. That timeout call was awful last night but there are so many things to look at as to why the Suns lost the game. https://t.co/QalyCzW4Ds
— Toonali (@ToonArmySun) December 6, 2023
Respect to KD when it comes to always keep it real from a hooper’s perspective. https://t.co/2YNmRTHvqU
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) December 6, 2023
https://t.co/zxrEdKJtCe pic.twitter.com/DaStcojgYp
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 6, 2023
Class Act @KDTrey5 https://t.co/YjWRTSFUbm
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) December 6, 2023
Bro had 7 turnovers … worry about what you can control buddy https://t.co/3O5Dm5LW9e
— KeithxSweat (@BallOut_Keith6) December 6, 2023
The whole world also saw this buddy https://t.co/Opic2OOxpz pic.twitter.com/600qegMi5C
— JI (@bdjosh23) December 6, 2023
Funny how Kd is taking responsibility, saying that they didn’t shoot enough and had too many turnovers, but Book is focusing on one play 😂 https://t.co/2Orr9vmGyD
— Raj (@richsoless) December 6, 2023
Crying at Devin Booker deleting his IG Story after KD told the media we took an L cuz of turnovers
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 6, 2023
(I think it's fair to point out Devin Booker/the Suns shouldn't have put themselves in that position down the stretch. I think it's equally fair for Book to point out that was a huge blown call down the stretch of a tight game that changed the potential outcome.)
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 6, 2023
NBA fans seeing Devin Booker blame the refs and not the 20 turnovers the Suns had: pic.twitter.com/95WzbqOXYL
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) December 6, 2023
