The Phoenix Suns’ season ended Monday night time with a 131-122 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and first-year head coach Jordan Ott pointed to the main points that swung the sport in OKC’s favor.
“Nicely, I’ll speak extra concerning the sport,” Ott stated. “I don’t know what the info confirmed, nevertheless it felt like each time we had a crack, they hit one thing.”
Oklahoma Metropolis shot 50% from 3-point vary and constructed a 75-67 halftime lead behind environment friendly shot-making, whereas Phoenix tried to hold round with a robust taking pictures begin of its personal.
Ott stated he didn’t view the sport as a transition difficulty. “They solely had 5 steals, so lots of them should have been within the half courtroom,” he stated.
The Thunder’s capacity to attain with out giving Phoenix many straightforward probabilities was a significant drawback for the Suns, particularly as soon as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander discovered rhythm within the first half.
“I assumed at occasions we had Shai early,” Ott stated. “He couldn’t get a shot off after which he had that spurt that actually damage us within the first half, however total ended the possession sport even.”
Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 31 factors, whereas Chet Holmgren added 24 and Isaiah Hartenstein posted 18 factors and 12 rebounds as Oklahoma Metropolis accomplished a four-game sweep.
Ott credited each side for the offensive stage of the sport. “I believe each groups clearly performed very well on the offensive finish,” he stated. “Thought it was a hell of a battle.”
Phoenix did make a push within the second half, slicing a 15-point deficit to 106-98 coming into the fourth quarter, and Ott stated the Suns discovered more room for his or her ballhandlers.
“We obtained him free a little bit bit freer in area,” Ott stated about Devin Booker within the second half. “We have been most likely higher spaced round him.”
He added that the changes helped Phoenix get again into the sport for a stretch. “I assumed he had that actually good spurt the place it helped all of us get again into it there within the third quarter,” Ott stated in reference to Booker. “After which his shot making down the stretch was elite.”
Requested to replicate on his first season as a head coach, Ott stated he was nonetheless processing it. “I attempted to remain within the second,” he stated. “I do assume there’s a way of satisfaction with this group.”
Ott additionally pointed to how a lot the group fought in opposition to one of many league’s greatest groups. “We are able to solely assist a lot. We are able to solely speak to them a lot,” he stated. “They obtained to go on the market and carry out.”
He closed by stressing what the season meant in broader phrases. “Off the cuff, all of us can really feel pleased with what this crew did, not solely over the course of your entire season, however tonight as nicely.”
