The Phoenix Suns, who had traded for Kevin Durant earlier this year, suffered a humiliating loss and were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. The loss has raised questions about the validity of the blockbuster trade. The move had placed them among the favorites for the NBA championship, but the Suns have now been knocked out of the semifinals for the second consecutive year. They were playing without Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul, who were out with injuries. Durant scored 23 points in the game but missed nine of his shots. After the defeat, Durant described the feeling as "bad" and "embarrassing."

Many are now asking whether the Suns' failure to win the championship after such a high-profile trade was a failure on the part of Durant. Some are also suggesting that the Suns' management should have shored up the team in other areas rather than relying on a superstar like Durant to deliver the goods. Regardless, both Durant and the Suns will have to face the fact that they weren't able to perform at the highest level when it mattered most.