The most extravagant payroll in the league has fallen with a thump.

With a powerful three of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns' postseason dreams were dashed on Wednesday night as they lost 125–112 to a struggling Oklahoma City Thunder team. Their stunning late-season collapse was completed with their eighth straight loss, all by double digits.

Phoenix were left on the outside looking in as Dallas secured the Western Conference's final play-in spot. There are no longer any playoff ramifications for their Sunday regular-season finale against the Kings—just the pain of a season that deviated greatly from expectations.

"When you've had a season this bad, it's a bunch of things. I think the most frustrating part is being that close a few years ago, and now being back to where we are,” Booker said. "There's not one thing or one person or one player or one coach that's the problem.”

In the desert, what appeared to be a championship climb has turned into a spectacular collapse. Looking back on the Suns' 2021 Finals run, which ended in heartbreak against the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, Devin Booker now finds himself at the core of a team that is struggling with identity issues and unfulfilled expectations.

Phoenix has made daring transactions to acquire three-time All-Star Bradley Beal and former MVP Kevin Durant in the seasons after that Finals trip. Winning now was the obvious objective. However, the signings simply highlighted more serious problems rather than putting the Suns in the running for the championship.

The Suns had a strong 49–33 record the previous season, but the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were on the rise, swept them in the first round. But this year, the drop was more pronounced. As the regular season went on, Phoenix lost ground progressively and eventually dropped out of postseason contention after stumbling to a 35–45 finish.

A lengthy offseason filled with difficult decisions and difficult challenges awaits the once-rising club.

Bradley Beal's season was ruined by recurrent injuries that kept him out of action for long periods of time, while Durant and Booker produced consistently and mostly remained on the floor. Mike Budenholzer, the team's rookie coach, experimented with lineups that rarely worked for very long in an attempt to create a consistent rotation.

With an average of 26.6 points per game and his 15th All-Star selection, Durant demonstrated that his scoring instincts are still keen at the age of 36.

Phoenix had a strong start to the season, jumping out to an 8-1 lead that momentarily sparked talk of a championship. However, momentum stopped when Durant strained his calf. He returned, but the Suns never really found that groove again. The unity faltered. The glimmer dimmed. From that point on, the decline was slow but unrelenting.

The Suns' decline was further exacerbated by Durant's absence from the last five games due to a persistent ankle ailment, which deprived the squad of any residual rhythm as the season stumbled to an end.

Devin Booker is currently the one thing that is definite in an otherwise unpredictable future. The ten-year veteran, who has played in Phoenix for his whole NBA career, didn't mince words. He emphasized that in order for the Suns to make a course correction and return to contention, it will be essential to develop a stronger internal culture, regardless of personnel changes.

"Learning through the wins and the loss, continuing to get better every day, no matter what the circumstances are. We had spots where we did it, but it has to be something that's turned on at all times,” Booker said. "I think that's one of the steps that we skipped.” 

Stick with https://k8airdrop.com/ for more Sports, esport, games, news, guides, and more!

Discover the thrill of cutting-edge online slot games! Visit  http://k8.io/ now for an unparalleled gaming experience with the latest and greatest slot games.