Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkić Wow NBA Fans Despite Kevin Durant, Suns’ Loss to Thunder

zach bacharContributor IMarch 4, 2024

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns’ comeback attempt fell short on Sunday night, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder by the final score of 118-110.

With Devin Booker out due to a sprained ankle, the Suns fell in an early hole. They trailed by four at the end of the first quarter before the game appeared to spiral out of control. With just under eight minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Thunder held a lead of 80-56.

Phoenix stormed back to take a six-point advantage in the final period, although a late run by Oklahoma City ultimately decided the game. It was still an impressive performance by a short-handed Suns team thanks to a pair of strong nights.

Jusuf Nurkić dominated the boards, grabbing a career-high 31 rebounds in just 32 minutes of action. Bradley Beal reached the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season, finishing with 31 points on 71.4 percent shooting to go along with four rebounds and six assists.

The Suns’ main issue was with turnovers, as the team finished with 21. Beal was the main culprit, coughing the ball up seven times. Nurkić and Kevin Durant also recorded five turnovers each.

Despite the loss, fans applauded the effort from the team.

NBA TV @NBATVEric Gordon triple for the lead 🍿

The @Suns have erased a 24-point deficit! pic.twitter.com/eEOmwypwk0

Mike Vigil @protectedpickNurkic has to come back if you want any chance of winning here. Offense, defense, and rebounding, he makes it all better. If this game is anything it’s showcasing how big he has been for the Suns this season.

Gabe Guerrero @GabeGuerrero03Win or lose this game woke up Bradley Beal 💪 pic.twitter.com/RPZeSntOxu

Mr. Az @MrAzSportsJusuf Nurkić has broken the record for most rebounds in a game by a Phoenix Suns player! It was previously held by Tyson Chandler at 27 rebounds!

He has 28 rebounds! Congrats 👑 pic.twitter.com/J3QXQP94HT

Legion Hoops @LegionHoopsJusuf Nurkic now has 27 rebounds tonight.

That’s the MOST in the NBA by any player this season. pic.twitter.com/wnefGHgCm0

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguetFrom down 24 points to back within 1. Great game for Beal

Kellan Olson @KellanOlsonBeal/Nurkic duo has been phenomenal. Individually and in two-man actions too.

NBA Retweet @RTNBAJusuf Nurkic tonight:

14 points
31 rebounds 😳
4 assists

THIRTY ONE? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yYjvOfuwjb

LEEZUS @AndrewLeezusNurk with 31 boards… Beal 31/6/4…. Boys were hooping. Shoutout to them two.

StatMuse @statmuseJusuf Nurkic had 13 OREB and 18 DREB tonight.

He’s the 1st player with that many OREB and DREB since Charles Oakley in 1988. pic.twitter.com/s4yW2tDkNb

Kellan Olson @KellanOlsonJusuf Nurkic’s 31 rebounds are the most in the NBA since Kevin Love also grabbed 31 in 2010.

Durant struggled to get into a scoring rhythm, as performances in the first half and fourth quarter hurt his overall efficiency. Although he scored 20 points, he shot just 6-of-15 from the field in 36 minutes on the floor.

The Suns fell to 35-26, while the Thunder moved into first place in the Western Conference with a record of 42-18.