Durant started strong, scoring 16 first-quarter points to help Phoenix stay within four points of Boston. However, in a surprising move, head coach Mike Budenholzer benched Durant to start the second quarter—a decision that backfired as the Celtics extended their lead to 19 by halftime.

Kevin Durant dropped a sobering admission and talked about the Suns locker room always being tight despite the underwhelming season.

Durant tied the late, great Kobe Bryant for second-most player of the week honors with 33. Only Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has more with 69. Durant averaged 27.3 points on 58.8% shooting, 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds during the three-game stretch with the Suns winning each one at home over Toronto, Chicago and Cleveland.