Phoenix Suns called out by Al McCoy after loss to Timberwolves: 'Stop crying'
Former Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy had a message for Suns players on Monday morning.
In his weekly radio appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, McCoy, who retired from the booth after last season, called out the team for complaining about the officiating in a Game 1 NBA Playoffs loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
“Can I say two words to the Suns players this morning? Stop crying, this is the playoffs,” McCoy said on the "Bickley and Marotta" show. “This is for the big boys. When you think you’re fouled, get out there and be aggressive. Let’s see some of that aggressiveness, just stop crying on every call. You are not going to get calls, we know that whole scenario. We are not going to talk about the officiating, just play as physical as has to be played and stop crying."
NBA Playoffs Game 2 picks: Magic vs Cavaliers | 76ers vs Knicks | Lakers vs Nuggets | Suns vs Timberwolves | Pacers vs Bucks | Mavericks vs Clippers | Heat vs Celtics | Pelicans vs Thunder
"Stop crying."
Al McCoy joined @Bickley_Marotta and had one thing to relay to the Suns after their Game 1 loss.
Al About the Suns is driven by Sanderson Ford. pic.twitter.com/WWIabkod0f— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 22, 2024
Devin Booker was in early foul trouble against the Timberwolves and struggled in the game. He finished with 18 points on 5-for-16 shooting in the 120-95 loss for Phoenix.
Interestingly, the Timberwolves were called for 24 fouls in the game, while the Suns were whistled for 19.
Phoenix went 20-for-25 from the free-throw line. Minnesota was 20-for-22.
NBA Playoffs series picks: Suns vs Timberwolves | Mavericks vs Clippers | Lakers vs Nuggets | Magic vs Cavaliers | Pacers vs Bucks | 76ers vs Knicks | Heat vs Celtics | Pelicans vs Thunder | NBA Playoffs bracket | NBA Playoffs odds | NBA Championship odds
Booker said the team needed to adjust to the way playoff games were being called.
“We all just need to adjust to the playoffs, the physicality,” Booker said. “They're being ultra-physical with me and I had three early fouls and went to the bench. Just trying to find a rhythm from there."
"We might have fouled too much there at bad times trying to be physical, but we'll figure it out. The refs are letting us play and that's the type of game we want."
Kevin Durant as Suns committed nine of their 19 fouls in 2nd quarter of Game 1 loss to T-Wolves #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/NT8pwH0qvI— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 21, 2024
Game 2 of the series is at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Minnesota.
NBA Playoffs schedule: Suns vs Timberwolves | Mavericks vs Clippers | Lakers vs Nuggets | Magic vs Cavaliers | Pacers vs Bucks | 76ers vs Knicks | Heat vs Celtics | Pelicans vs Thunder | Daily NBA game schedule
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns called out by former broadcaster Al McCoy: 'Stop crying'