Kevin Durant has rarely been in this position.
This is only the fifth time in 12 postseason runs he’s trailed 2-0 in a playoff series.
Phoenix dropped Game 1 and Game 2 in Denver, but Durant and the fourth-seeded Suns are looking to rebound in Friday’s Game 3 at Footprint Center.
“Just try to take of business on every possession at home,” Durant said after Thursday’s practice. “One possession at a time. You can’t get everything back at once. Just having that focus and that togetherness on every possession, that’ll lead to something solid. Just got to take it literally one possession at a time and see what happens.”
Durant stands 1-3 in playoff series when his team trailed 2-0. Last season, Boston swept Brooklyn in the first round with Durant averaging 26.3 points in the four games.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant watches forward T.J. Warren shoot during practice on May 4, 2023, as the team prepares for Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.
He is 3-1 in Game 3s after trailing 2-0 in a series. Durant is coming off a 24-point effort in Monday’s Game 2 loss on 10-of-27 shooting. He misfired on 10 of his 12 attempts from 3.
“I just stick to the same routine,” said Durant when asked his approach after having an off shooting night. “A lot of times, I’m playing a mental game. Usually when I miss shots or struggle to shoot the ball, it’s an approach thing. It’s how I’m approaching the game whether it’s spots on the floor where I need to be aggressive from. It’s all about surveying the game and seeing where I fit.”
"I just stick to the same routine."
Kevin Durant on how he responds after an off shooting night.
Went 2-of-12 from 3 (10-of-27 overall) in Game 2 loss at Denver. #Suns #Nuggets #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RLvGZfuEGY
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) May 4, 2023
Here’s a look back at the previous four times Durant faced a 2-0 series hole.
2010 Playoffs
(8) Oklahoma City vs. (1) L.A. Lakers (1st round).
The Thunder went down 2-0, won the next two, but lost the series in six. The Lakers won the 2010 NBA championship.
FILE – This April 30, 2010, file photo shows Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, shooting between Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, and forward Lamar Odom, right, in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Oklahoma City. All Durant did last season was become the youngest scoring champion in NBA history, take the Thunder to the playoffs for the first time since they moved to Oklahoma City and lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the world championships. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
2012 Playoffs
(2) Oklahoma City vs. (1) San Antonio Spurs (conference finals).
The Thunder fell behind 2-0, but they took the next four games to take the series in six. OKC lost to Miami in the NBA Finals.
FILE – In this May 31, 2014, file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks, left, and forward Kevin Durant pause during a break against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoff series in Oklahoma City. The Thunder fired Brooks on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
2014 Playoffs
(2) Oklahoma City vs. (1) San Antonio Spurs (conference finals).
The Thunder trailed 2-0, won the next two, but lost the series in six. San Antonio defeated the Heat in the finals.
2022 Playoffs
(7) Brooklyn vs. (2) Boston Celtics (1st round).
The Nets went down 2-0, but they lost the next two to lose the series in four. Boston reached the finals before losing to Golden State.
Durant averaged 23 points in those previous Game 3s when his team trailed 2-0.
FILE – Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, right, during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series April 25, 2022, in New York. Durant has again told Nets owner Joe Tsai that he wants to be traded, reiterating a request he first made nearly six weeks ago, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Game 3 vs. Lakers (2010) – 29 points, 19 rebounds (W, 101-96 at home).
Game 3 vs. Spurs (2012) – 22 points, six rebounds (W, 102-82 at home).
Game 3 vs. Spurs (2014) – 25 points, 10 rebounds (W, 106-97 at home).
Game 4 vs. Celtics (2022) – 16 points, 8 rebounds (L, 109-103 at home).
Source: money.yahoo.com
