Is it time for the Suns to reset? Plus, WNBA’s Candace Parker announces her retirement.

By / / Sports / 8 minutes of reading


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Bradley Beal and the Wizards had the same number of playoff wins this season.

BUST OUT THE BROOMS!

(3) Wolves swept (6) Suns 4-0

How’d we get here? After a regular-season sweep by Phoenix, Minnesota completely flipped the script. The Wolves bullied the Suns physically, emotionally and basketball-ly (I’m stickin’ with it). It was a clinic by Minnesota, as Phoenix completely fell apart.

What’s the story? Anthony Edwards is a superstar. He said he’s here to kill everybody. We believe him. Also, Chris Finch got hurt!

What awaits the Wolves? They’re awaiting Denver to wrap its series. Then, we’ll see how Minnesota measures up to the champs.

How’s Phoenix doing? Horribly. The Suns are doing horribly. Shams can explain more below.

image1 74

(1) Thunder lead (8) Pelicans 3-0

How’d we get here? A big part is Zion Williamson’s injury. He was playing the most dominant ball of his career before the hammy pulled. But also, OKC has shut down New Orleans every step of the way.

What’s the story? The young Thunder look pretty comfortable under the bright playoff lights, but everybody outside of OKC hates them now because of that commercial. You know the one.

Confidence meters: New Orleans: ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ | OKC: 🧘🧘🧘🧘🧘

THESE FEEL LIKE FOREGONE CONCLUSIONS

(1) Celtics lead the (8) Heat 2-1

How’d we get here? Miami already faced an uphill war with Boston, but no Jimmy Butler meant elimination was inevitable – unless the Heat replicate 20+ 3-pointers in a game, like Game 2.

What’s the story? Miami is hurt, but Boston wants revenge.

Confidence meters: Miami: ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ | Boston: 🧘🧘🧘🧘🧘

(2) Nuggets lead the (7) Lakers 3-1

How’d we get here? Denver is so much better than LA, and there’s not much the latter can do about it. However, we did see the Lakers finally beat the Nuggets after losing 11 straight.

What’s the story? Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have looked unstoppable as a duo. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have not. Yep, that’s three series in a row with the same emoji ratings:

Confidence meters: LA: ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ | Denver: 🧘🧘🧘🧘🧘

HEALTH COULD TURN THE FORTUNE

(2) Knicks lead the (7) 76ers 3-1

How’d we get here? New York gutted out Games 1-2 before Jalen Brunson got going. He’s been dueling with Joel Embiid ever since. His 47 points yesterday gave New York a commanding series lead.

What’s the story? The fan bases have been battling as things get chippier. We have had the Knicks fans take over Wells Fargo Center in Philly. Embiid isn’t happy about that.

Confidence meters: Philly: ⚰️⚰️⚰️| New York: 🧘🧘🧘🧘

(6) Pacers lead the (2) Bucks 3-1

How’d we get here? Milwaukee is limping without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Indiana’s newfound groove has the team on the verge of eliminating Milwaukee.

What’s the story? The Bucks aren’t healthy enough to truly compete for this series.

Confidence meters: Milwaukee: ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ | Indiana: 🧘🧘🧘

(4) Cavs tied with (5) Magic 2-2

How’d we get here? Home teams convincingly won Games 1-4. Cleveland shut down Orlando in Cleveland, and vice versa once the series turned to Orlando.
What’s the story? The Magic are playing with house money, so every loss makes people wonder if Donovan Mitchell will stay in Cleveland.
Confidence meters: Cleveland: 🫣🫣 | Orlando: 💪💪💪

(4) Clippers tied with (5) Mavericks 2-2

How’d we get here? Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving have put on a show — likewise for James Harden and Paul George, who came up massive in Game 4 to even things up. Now, it’s a best-of-three.

What’s the story? Kawhi Leonard is hurt and has missed two games. The Clippers won both of those games.

Confidence meters: LA: 🥴🥴🥴 |Dallas: 🥴🥴🥴🥴

The Latest From Shams

What’s next for the Suns?

Built around the star power of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns were expected to contend for their first championship. Instead, they spent the entire season struggling to find an identity, and in the process, lost some trust in the man in charge.

Durant, Booker and Beal did not produce at their best in the playoffs, and sources in the locker room also believe not one of the trio emerged as the necessary leader on the floor. But the buck stops at the head coach, and for the second offseason in a row, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic that Phoenix will take a hard look at making a full coaching change or, at the very least, discuss adjustments to Frank Vogel’s staff.

After the Suns’ first-round exit against Minnesota, Doug Haller and I analyzed what happened in Phoenix, what lies ahead and more.

Are the Suns … set? Let’s say, “Goodbye.”

As Shams alluded, the Suns enter an unpredictable summer full of shame. Will they fire Vogel? Will they be able to make necessary roster changes/additions? Let’s put that bow on Phoenix’s season.

Phoenix’s bright spot from this season? That it’s over? There weren’t any real moments where the Suns’ success looked sustainable, simply theoretical. Their big three had a plus-6.6 net rating in 862 minutes together in the regular season, but that dropped to minus-17.9 in 125 minutes as Phoenix was swept.

Key free agents for Phoenix: Royce O’Neale, Bol Bol, Sabe Lee (restricted)

Biggest position to address: A lead guard to organize the offense, interior defender, 3-and-D wings/forwards. Did we mention a coach? By the way, Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause. 😱

What’s the draft pick situation? Projected as No. 22 (they own it).

Will they have cap space? KD, Booker and Beal combined make more than the cap, so absolutely not.

2023-24 yearbook quote: “Total eclipse of the heart.”

Congrats, Candace Parker!

An all-time great announces her retirement!

After 16 WNBA seasons, Candace Parker announced her retirement over the weekend. She had one of the most decorated careers in basketball and has helped move the women’s game forward to its present-day popularity. For 20 years, we watched her lead the Tennessee Volunteers, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. At each stop, Parker gave us incredible entertainment, skill and determination. She also set a ridiculous standard for how a star player can and should be.

She won two NCAA titles at Tennessee. She won three WNBA titles, along with twice being named the league’s MVP (2013, 2008) and a Finals MVP (2016). She’s also been named All-WNBA First Team seven times. And let’s not forget her sprinkling in a couple of gold medals with Team USA. She ranks ninth all-time in WNBA scoring, third in rebounds, seventh in assists and fifth in blocks.

Parker has been a role model for basketball players of any gender. Angel Reese talked about how much Parker has meant to the game. Two-time MVP and champion Breanna Stewart was dumbfounded and saddened by the news. Thankfully, we’ll still have Parker around the game and influencing generations to come.

Bounce Passes

Amazon Prime is about to join the NBA broadcast rights crew.

Mark Daigneault won Coach of the Year, and it’s just the beginning.

The Magic’s true superpower is team togetherness.

Screen Game (All times Eastern)

  • Most Interesting Game: Lakers-Nuggets (10 p.m. TNT). We likely say goodbye to the Lakers after this one.
  • Second Most Interesting: Celtics-Heat (7:30 p.m. TNT). Don’t let Miami get two!
  • NBA TV Game: Thunder-Pelicans (8:30 p.m.). OKC is busting out the brooms. Full schedule here.

(Top photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images )





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Avatar of Erika Walls
Erika Walls is a journalist who loves writing about business and finance news. She's been working in the industry for over 15 years, and she's published hundreds of articles on everything from the latest IPO to the hottest new stock pick.

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