Milwaukee, WI

Defensive ills, no title contender, 1 shot for Durant in 4th: Takeaways from Suns’ ugly loss to Bucks

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2024

Defensive ills, no title contender, 1 shot for Durant in 4th: Takeaways from Suns’ ugly loss to Bucks

MILWAUKEE — The Phoenix Suns are who they are — not an NBA championship contender. Not even close.

They might very well figure it out come playoff time, but right now, the Suns (39-29) are right where they should be — in the play-in that will be hell to survive with a seed.

Eighth in the West, the Suns would have to beat the Mavericks in Dallas to get the seventh seed if the postseason started today.

A loss and they’re hosting either the Warriors or Lakers for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Really? Wow. They’ve dealt with injuries, and only had their Big 3 together for 27 games (16-11 record).

Devin Booker keeps saying they have things to address as he smiled after Friday’s win at Charlotte in saying the Suns (39-29) fix one thing, but then repair something else.

The following have been problems all season:

Turnover prone, don’t get back on defense after coughing it up and lack consistent urgency, which is crazy considering their current postseason situation.

Struggle in man-to-man defensive and give up the paint without much rim protection, which further hinders their already weak 3-point shooting defense. Too much hand down, man down.

That also leaves them vulnerable on the offensive boards, especially when going small.

Play iso ball, take tough shots and don’t get enough easy looks despite having three prolific scorers in Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Booker.

Those ills are why the Milwaukee Bucks (44-24), even without Giannis Antetokounmpo, could splatter Phoenix with 82 points in the first half of a 140-129 victory Sunday afternoon at Fiserv Forum.

Let’s get right to the takeaways as the Suns trailed by as many as 24 points in the first half and 25 in the second in concluding a four-game road trip.

Suns’ defensive disaster

Damian Lillard going for 31 points is one thing. With Antetokounmpo out, Lillard went Portland-mode early in being aggressive, but how did he come up with 16 assists, too?

The Suns not only couldn’t guard him off the bounce, they helped off so much, that it left the four other guys relying on Lillard to set them for 3s to have open shots off the drive-and-kick game. The Bucks went 24-of-41 on 3s two games after Boston blitzed the Suns for 25-of-50 Thursday night.

Lillard took advantage of what he called “lazy switching” by the Suns to score or find teammates.

Yes, this modern NBA is leading to historic offensive numbers, but any team that gives up 18 3s in the first half when they weren’t having to defend Antetokounmpo playing downhill to really force the defense to converge in the paint to help isn’t a championship contender right now.

Now, Bobby Portis going 5-of-5 from 3 in scoring 25 points in the first half came out of nowhere, even though he let it be known he’s caught fire like this before. Fair enough, but Portis made up for Antetokounmpo being out not only with his 31 points, but 10 rebounds and three steals.

Frank Vogel has a reputation for being a defensive-driven coach, but his team isn’t playing like that end of the court is a major priority — or maybe they just can’t guard the ball. Period.

Kevin Durant’s dilemma

He’s right. Any team that scores 129 points should win. The Suns lost Sunday’s game on defense.

He’s right. The Suns went small with him at the five and got back in the game. They cut the 24-point deficit down to six in the third, but Portland closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to go back up 15.

And yes, Durant had to take care of other things, like rebound and defend in that small ball unit as the Bucks played Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks off the floor by spreading the Suns out.

However, Durant taking 10 shots in scoring 11 points with only one coming in the fourth is not enough even with Beal cranking out a team-high 28, Grayson Allen having 25, hitting 6-of-11 from 3, and Booker adding 23.

Durant said after the game Allen took his “scoring spot” Sunday, but teams will live with Allen going for 25 if it means Durant’s scoring just 11. The Suns got by with Durant only scoring 13 in Friday’s win over lottery Charlotte, but the Bucks are a different monster that can score at will.

Phoenix needed Durant in that go-get-it mode. Allen can score, but Durant is now nine points away from passing Shaquille O’Neal for eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list for a reason.

He’s arguably the greatest scorer who can deliver on all three levels, get to the line and force the defense to adjust, which opens up the rest of the offense.

The problem is he’s also the team’s best defensive player. That shouldn’t be the case.

It’s great for the 35-year-old Durant to play at a high level on that end. He’s kept his word to Vogel about wanting to guard in his system, but to play 41 minutes with some at the five, which has become their get-back-in-the-game lineup, could be taxing on him physically.

He could very well be wearing down at this point in the season. The Suns need wins to stay out of the play-in and have called upon him to initiate an offense and be the team’s best defender?

More Suns: How Grayson Allen is quietly building a historic season in first year with Suns

Turnovers, again

Again, this is who the Suns are.

They turn the ball and the opponent scores off those turnovers as an alarming rate. The Bucks scored 24 points Sunday off 14 Phoenix turnovers.

Isaiah Thomas isn’t fixing this.

The Suns are signing him to a 10-day later this week, sources informed The Arizona Republic this weekend. The 35-year-old veteran point guard provides depth, but he can’t be the answer for their turnovers that are as much about decision-making than who is handling the ball.

Trying to make passes in traffic and without the proper spacing is a recurring problem.

They should be better than this, but the bigger problem is how they’ll respond to the turnovers in giving up points off them. That’s a greater concern than the actual turnovers.

Look, this team has more than enough offense. Can’t see them greatly improving on the defensive end in terms of man-to-man, but Royce O’Neale is a starting point.

O’Neale has been a liability from 3 on offense, but made 4-of-5 in the fourth. The Suns can only hope that carries over into the next few games because he can guard and isn’t backing down.

However, it’s on Eric Gordon, Allen, Booker and Beal to make a stronger commitment on that end in terms of contesting 3s and guarding the ball. The schemes clearly aren’t holding up as opponents are just gutting them with dribble penetration, ball movement and 3s.

The game has been played like this for a minute.

The Suns must be better — or this season of championship expectations will end in the play-in. Period.

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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Milwaukee, WI

Brandon Woodruff exits Milwaukee Brewers' loss in 4th inning

Published

48 minutes ago

July 5, 2026

Press Room

Brandon Woodruff exits Milwaukee Brewers' loss in 4th inning

Starter Brandon Woodruff, 33, exited with an injury in the fourth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers’ 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night, and manager Pat Murphy said that the veteran would probably need to be placed on the injured list.

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Milwaukee, WI

Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (54-32) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (43-43)

Published

11 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (54-32) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (43-43)

Brewers have a chance to win their second series in a row and their first of July this evening in Arizona as they get set to take the season series against the Diamondbacks.

After a late night yesterday with over eight innings thrown by the Brewers bullpen, they’ll lean on Brandon Woodruff to provide them with rest. Woodruff will be making his third start on the mound since returning from the injured list and his ninth overall on the season. Since returning, Woodruff has thrown 11 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits, no runs, and has struck out 16. That brings his season total to a 2.59 ERA with 41 strikeouts.

Tonight’s start will be Woodruff’s ninth against the Diamondbacks in his career. Most recently, he was sent to the injured list after he completed 1 1/3 innings at the end of April. Overall, he has been up-and-down throughout the course of his career against the Diamondbacks, posting a 4.65 ERA with 51 strikeouts.

For the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly will be handed the ball to make his 15th start of the season. He’s been in the midst of his worst season up to this point in his career as he enters tonight with a 5.84 ERA, having allowed 18 home runs, 33 walks, and only striking out 33. He finished the month of June with a 7.31 ERA, as in his last start, he allowed five runs to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lifetime against the Brewers, Kelly has been successful, posting a 3.41 ERA in 11 games. However, in his last outing against the Brewers in April, he gave up five runs on six hits and five walks.

Though no lineups have been announced yet, much of both of these lineups have faced both teams’ starting pitcher. For the Brewers, Sal Frelick and Brice Turang have witnessed the most success against Kelly, as they hope to replicate what they did in Milwaukee back in April.

You’ll be able to listen to tonight’s game on the Brewers Radio Network on WTMJ 620 while being able to watch it on Brewers.TV. First pitch will be another late one as it’s slated for 8:40 p.m.

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Milwaukee, WI

Today’s Summerfest schedule and picks: Saturday, July 4

Published

21 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Today’s Summerfest schedule and picks: Saturday, July 4

Every morning throughout Summerfest 2026, we’ll deliver a guide that covers the day’s entertainment and how you can get in the gate free of charge. This is where you’ll find info about the AmFam Amp headliners, eclectic picks from our knowledgeable staff and the music lineup for the day (see the full 2026 Summerfest lineup here).

Today at the AmFam Amp

Jelly Roll w/Tyler Hubbard, Three 6 Mafia, 7 p.m.

If you’re not familiar with the Jelly Roll Cinematic Universe, this must look like the weirdest lineup at the amphitheater during Summerfest 2026. You’ve got Mr. Roll himself at the top, with his swirl of country and rap that broke through in 2023 to the tune of two platinum-selling albums: Whitsitt Chapel and Beautifully Broken. Then there’s Tyler Hubbard, a comparatively straight-ahead country artist who’s found success solo and as a member of Florida Georgia Line.

Which brings us to Three 6 Mafia, the influential Memphis hip-hop group whose deep catalog of crunk and other rap subgenres left a huge mark on countless artists, including Jelly Roll. The Amp’s headliner has said Three 6 Mafia is one of the reasons he started rapping in the first place, and he’s collaborated with DJ Paul while appearing live with the group’s members frequently over the years. No doubt they’ll share the big stage tonight at some point.

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1

Known Moons @ T-Mobile Stage, 2:30 p.m.

This reco is a “six degrees” situation that started back when I was in some mediocre (read: shitty) pop-punk bands that played with a group called Pleasant Street. Guitarist Nick Woods was part of that band and went on to other projects like Direct Hit!, which made the best punk albums of the mid-2010s. His Pleasant Street bandmate Danny Walkowiak is, in my opinion, among the best drummers in this or any generation. He’s now part of Milwaukee alt/dream-pop band Known Moons, another very good product of our city’s music scene. Go see them today.

— Jay Burseth

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2

Soul Asylum @ Generac Power Stage, 5:30 p.m.

It was almost exactly a year ago that Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith stopped by our HQ for a Studio Milwaukee Session and, in the process, reconfirmed my belief in the power of pioneering alternative bands.

Soul Asylum might have been the first one I hooked onto after reaching the age when I was musically mature enough to make responsible album-purchasing decisions, and those songs from Grave Dancers Union and Let Your Dim Light Shine still rattle around in my brain. Pirner and Smith were wonderful to watch last summer in our space, and it’ll be great to catch them again on the Big Gig’s final day.

— Brett Krzykowski

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3

VALÉ & Gego Y Nony @ Aurora Pavilion, 3:15 p.m.

Barranquilla lands in Milwaukee with a lot of pop, R&B in a language I know all too well: Spanglish.

VALÉ, the 23-year-old Colombian artist now based in Los Angeles, has been busy releasing singles and EPs since 2021, building a collection of music that gets audiences dancing. This artist introduces moments of reggaeton within an electrifying pop beat, all while weaving between her native Spanish and English as she speaks on the pressures of love and family.

Headlining her first tour in November, this is a great chance to see VALÉ as she continues to rise in the world of Latin alternative. She also happens to be a great match for the duo following her on stage at the Aurora Pavilion: homegrown reggaetoneros Gego Y Nony.

Hailing from a family of percussionists, these brothers keep Puerto Rico and Milwaukee close to their heart as they sing, rap and compose their own music while leaning into the “new wave” of reggaeton, influenced by artists like R.K.M and Ken-Y. What makes this concert all the more exciting is the fact they’re from Milwaukee, which continues to be a place where artists’ unique styles, DIY spirit and community-centered focus shine. Expect love tracks (all clean — a plus for families), dancing and plenty of positive vibes.

— Paula Lovo

How to get in free today

Freedom on the Fourth Food Drive presented by Harley-Davidson

From noon to 3 p.m., the first 5,000 patrons who donate three nonperishable food items will receive one free admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All food will be collected at the Mid Gate entrance. Canned fruits and vegetables are especially appreciated. All donations benefit Hunger Task Force.