MINNEAPOLIS — The 'Big 3' debut for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs didn't quite go as planned, losing by 25 points and Devin Booker putting on a forgettable performance.
Booker had 18 points on 5-for-16 shooting and it was evident the Suns guard was bothered by the intense physicality displayed by Minnesota on the defensive end.
"We all need to adjust to the playoff physicality," Booker said. "They were being ultra physical with me and I had 3 fouls and was sitting on the bench and had to find my rhythm from there."
The thing is, he did not. Instead, Kevin Durant scored a team-high 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting to lead the Suns, whose disadvantages in depth and size were exploited.
"If I am not making my shots and my teammates are, I am not opposed to that either," Booker said. "It's not my job out there to just make sure I have an efficient great night and I am trying to do everything on the floor to win the game."
The Suns were outrebounded 52-28 and outscored 52-34 in the paint by the Wolves which is a large point of emphasis for Phoenix headed into Game 2.
"It's part of winning in the playoffs," Head Coach Frank Vogel said. "If you lose the physicality battle you are going to lose the game."
The sixth-seeded Suns won all three regular-season matchups against the third-seeded Timberwolves, who trailed by double digits for the entirety of the second halves of those games. The Suns will now try to return to their identity, their specific playing style, and their efficiency, which led them to this point.
"We just have to play harder," Durant said. "We have built an identity throughout the whole season and stick to that, but just do it better."
Sounds simple enough, right?
The big-money players gave the Wolves what they needed, but one of their edges in this series ought to be a bench that backed it up with a 41-18 scoring advantage on the Suns’ reserves.
Phoenix must find production outside of the 'Big 3' if they hope to have any longevity in the postseason and it will be telling to see if that and more will happen this Tuesday for Game 2.
Tip-off is set for 4:30 pm Arizona time inside the Target Center before the Suns return home for Games 3 and 4.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
12Sports on YouTube
Get the latest news and stories from 12Sports on the 12News YouTube channel. And don't forget to subscribe!