Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal have much on the line this NBA Playoffs, Brian Windhorst says
DENVER — The Phoenix Suns are fighting to stay out the play-in tournament as they are eighth going Wednesday's showdown against defending NBA champion Denver at Ball Arena.
ESPN believes Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant have more than just a season on the line, too.
Senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst has Beal and Durant on his list of players who "have the most to gain or perhaps lose" in this year's playoffs. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Pelicans forward Zion Williamson are the first three players Windhorst discusses.
Then he talks about 76ers big Joel Embiid, Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Celtics big Kristaps Porzingis and Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley before diving into Beal and Durant.
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What's on the line for Beal?
"Beal exercised his no-trade clause to handpick the Suns last summer, forcing his way in a deal expected to create a superteam. But Beal's season has, once again, been marred with injury and inconsistency. He has made one All-Star team in the past five years. He hasn't won a playoff series since 2017. The loaded Suns are fighting to avoid a play-in bid. There are other factors involved in all that underachievement, of course, but it's unfortunately been defining this stretch of his career. The playoffs will decide what sort of year this has been for the Suns and Beal.
What's on the line for Durant?
"Durant is a two-time Finals MVP, a two-time champion, a regular-season MVP, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and one of the greatest Olympians in USA Basketball history. He also forced his way to the Suns last season and was a factor in getting Beal to join him and Devin Booker. Evaluating Durant's career is nuanced and complex; his greatness has been mixed with his lack of team success since leaving Golden State. Winning again would mean so much for him."
Windhorst closed out his list with Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and point guard Damian Lillard, Magic forward Paolo Banchero, Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic, Clippers trio Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, Timberwolves duo Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns and 76ers forward Tobias Harris.
The Suns (42-30) face the toughest remaining schedule in the league. They're a game behind Dallas (43-29) for the sixth spot, but the Mavericks own the tiebreaker over them.
Dallas has the 23rd toughest remaining schedule.
Phoenix have the same record as Sacramento, they've split their four matchups, but Sacramento has the tiebreaker for having the best record in the Pacific Division. The Kings are 9-6 in the division while the Suns are 7-8.
The two teams meet one more time next month in Sacramento.
If the playoffs started today, the Kings would host the Suns in the 7-8 play-in game for the seventh seed in the West with the losers having to play the 9-10 winner at home for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
Sacramento has the third toughest remaining schedule.
The Lakers (40-32) and Warriors (37-34) are ninth and 10th, respectively in the conference.. Los Angeles is just two games behind Phoenix and have the head-to-head tiebreaker over them, 3-2.
The Lakers have the 25th toughest remaining schedule while the Warriors have the 26th toughest.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal have much to prove, ESPN says
