PHOENIX — Even the return of James Harden wasn’t sufficient to keep away from the Nets’ longest shedding streak in two years.
Regardless of Harden enjoying by way of a sore strained hand, the Nets dug an early gap and fell 121-111 to league-leading Phoenix earlier than a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Footprint Heart.
Harden — who missed one sport with hamstring woes and one other due to the strained hand — completed with 22 factors and 10 assists, whereas Kyrie Irving scored 11 of his team-high 26 within the ultimate interval as Brooklyn tried to rally. However in opposition to the white-hot Suns, it wasn’t sufficient.
“We had alternatives,” Harden stated. “We’ve simply acquired to get off to a greater begin. First quarter actually harm us. The final three quarters we have been fairly good and that’s the sport proper there.
“We take the lead within the (third) quarter — and we simply couldn’t get it executed. General, nice effort: Simply sucks to come back up quick.”
The Nets (29-21) got here up quick in stretching their shedding skid to 5 straight, their worst since Jan. 14-23, 2020. They've dropped 12 of their final 18, and this one they basically gave away within the first quarter.
“We will’t make so many psychological errors on the market in opposition to nice groups like this,” Irving stated.
Brooklyn’s protection acquired carved up by a well-oiled Suns machine that was completely medical of their actions. The Nets trailed 39-29 after a primary quarter that noticed them enable the Suns to shoot 71.4 p.c. Suns star Devin Booker additionally had 14 of his game-high 35 factors within the quarter.
After that, they might solely lead once more for 14 seconds — after a Patty Mills 3 made it 70-69 with 7:17 left within the third.
“That was the sport,” Irving stated. “Within the first quarter we got here to the bench and it was seven minutes [left], and so they have been on tempo to attain 40 factors.
“I imply, after they shoot 55 p.c from the sector I don’t know what number of NBA staff’s you’re going to beat.”
Treasured few. And none in opposition to a staff this good. The Suns gained their eleventh straight to enhance to a league-best 41-9.
Phoenix star Chris Paul placed on a degree guard masterclass with 20 factors and a game-high 14 assists to complete a plus-20.
The Nets trailed 65-58 on the break, however reeled off seven straight to tug even on a Kessler Edwards hook shot.
Brooklyn took a 70-69 edge on Mills’ left-wing 3, however this time have been on the unsuitable finish of a 7-0 run.
Mikal Bridges (27 factors) drove for a layup to place Phoenix again forward 76-70.
The Nets have been nonetheless in touch, trailing simply 78-74 when Harden put up a floater. However JaVale McGee snatched it out of the air, with each Web protesting for a goaltending name that by no means got here.
What did come was a Booker fast-break bucket the opposite means. A ten-2 run left the Nets trailing 88-76 after a Cam Johnson’s 3.
Irving led a comeback that fell simply quick. He had 9 factors within the first 2:58 of the fourth quarter to tug Brooklyn inside 97-94. However Phoenix answered with a 6-0 run to kill the momentum, Bridges sandwiched a pair of and-ones round missed layups by Irving and Nic Claxton. The second, with 8:15 left, put it away.
“We’ve simply acquired to be smarter with it, and we acquired to simply suppose the sport,” stated Harden, enjoying by way of the hand damage he exacerbated final Friday at apply and can now should handle. “It’s not adequate simply to play exhausting. You’ve acquired to be sensible on the market. You’ve acquired to suppose the sport of basketball, along with your effort. When you do this, you give your self a greater probability.
“The following morning, I wakened and possibly couldn’t transfer my hand in any respect. It really wakened fairly early, my coach, simply to determine what the hell was happening. The MRI [exam] was a pressure. It’s calmed down. I’m again on the court docket. … Simply proceed to get remedy proceed to maintain the swelling down and ice it and take heed to my trainers as a result of they’re professionals.”
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