The Phoenix Suns suffered another heartbreaking loss on February 23, 2025, falling to the Toronto Raptors 127-109 at Scotiabank Arena. The defeat added to the Suns’ woes as they continue to grapple with their place near the bottom of the NBA standings.
Key player Kevin Durant faced the media post-game, visibly frustrated by his performance, which saw him score just 15 points—his lowest of the season. "Tonight, if I had made more shots, we probably would have won," he admitted, taking personal responsibility for the team's shortcomings. Across 40 minutes on the court, Durant also lamented the Suns’ inability to combat the Raptors' scoring runs. "We had these little spurts where each team would go off and go on a flurry on us, and that's usually the game," he explained, emphasizing the need for tighter defense.
Despite Durant's struggles, the Suns received substantial contributions from Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, who combined to score 61 points. Booker led the way with 23 points, helping the Suns rally briefly after trailing by as much as 19 points. Beal added 22 points as well, shooting efficiently, yet their efforts weren't enough to secure victory.
The Raptors, for their part, benefited from a balanced scoring attack, with four players reaching at least 20 points, including Chris Boucher and RJ Barrett, who each had 23. The team shot 20-for-35 (57.1%) from three-point range, contrasting sharply with the Suns’ dismal 7-for-28 (25%). Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković praised his team's performance, saying, "It was great the force we played with. I was really proud...to continue to move the ball."
Toronto's shooting was particularly sharp during the final quarter, where they executed their game plan flawlessly. After the Suns had closed the gap to just two points Near the end of the game, the Raptors responded with a decisive 22-7 run, sealing the game. Rajaković noted, "Those threes came off of creating for your teammates. That was a big deal for us today." Chris Boucher highlighted the mindset of the Raptors during this pivotal moment, stating, "After the timeout, we all told each other, like, 'OK, well, you know what? We're gonna make a few and it's going to help the game.'"
The Suns showed some spark, particularly through Booker’s performance, who scored 12 points during the third quarter to help his team climb back close. Yet, every time Phoenix seemed poised to take control, Toronto immediately shifted the momentum back. This recurring theme frustrated Durant, who acknowledged the difficulty of mounting comebacks against teams capable of quick scoring runs.
Defensively, the Raptors shined, particularly Scottie Barnes, who was pivotal in limiting Durant's effectiveness throughout the game. Rajaković pointed out Barnes' growing reputation as one of the elite defensive players, stating, "I think it says [something] about the media...if you have eyes, and if you watch the game, you see this guy is elite." Barnes not only played stellar defense but also scored 20 points of his own, showcasing his versatility.
With this loss, the Suns drop to 27-30, sitting 11th in the Western Conference, raising concerns about their playoff prospects as they prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies next. Meanwhile, the Raptors, with their victory, improved to 18-39, gradually starting to find their rhythm as the season progresses.
The Suns are left to regroup and address their alarming inconsistencies as they look to reignite their playoff hopes.