Things are collapsing for the Phoenix Suns.
At 31-37 following their 107-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James, the Suns have failed to meet the high expectations placed on them entering the season and run the risk of missing the postseason.
During halftime, ESPN analysts Stephen A. Smith and Bob Myers criticized the Suns for lacking energy and urgency.
ESPN Analyst Rip Phoenix Suns Apart
Smith opened his first half analysis by saying, “We aired this game on national television; this is our network. If there were not a second half to go where they had an opportunity to make amends, I would encourage us to give a public apology to a national audience for that atrocity we saw in the first half—no effort whatsoever, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.”
"The Phoenix Suns resembled a little kid that was placed on punishment by his parents and assigned to do chores. That's how they made playing the game of basketball look in the first half."
Stephen A. Smith RIPPED on the Suns on the halftime show 👀pic.twitter.com/7rwvCHdKED
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 16, 2025
He continued, “The Phoenix Suns resembled a little kid that was punished by his parents and assigned to do chores,” Smith said. “That’s how they made playing basketball look in the first half like it was this arduous, painful task they had to subject themselves to. That’s how bad they looked.”
Former Golden State Warriors general manager Boy Myers echoed Smith’s sentiment.
“When you’re at a game, you can see the effort,” Myers said. “You can feel it differently; the TV does a fantastic job covering the game. When you are there, you can watch all the players, you can do off-ball stuff, and see Phoenix. It’s almost like guys, do you want to play and compete?”
It wouldn’t stop there as former NBA Player turned analyst Kendrick Perkins also lambasted the Suns for their lack of leadership.
“They don’t have a leader,” Perkins said. No one is gonna question the talent on this team. They don’t have a voice in the locker room that’s gonna hold these guys accountable.”
Ugly First Half Against the Los Angeles Lakers
The Sun got off to a dreadful start and struggled to find their rhythm. They fell behind by as much as 20 points in the first quarter, and Kevin Durant, who finished the contest with 21 points, had a rough outing in the first quarter.
Luka Doncic willed the Lakers to victory, finishing with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to help them snap their four-game losing streak and improve to 41-25.
The Suns now sit two games behind the 33-36 Dallas Mavericks, who hold the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference. The Suns still have time to salvage a rough season, but they will need to turn things around quickly if they hope to play postseason basketball.