The Phoenix Suns became the first team to be eliminated from the 2024 NBA playoffs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves swept the series 4-0 by beating the Phoenix Suns 122-116 in Game 4. Fans were very disappointed that the Suns' Big Three failed to win the playoffs, and the biggest reason for the loss, Bradley Beal bore the brunt.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns scored 49 points and dished out six assists in this game. Kevin Durant scored 33 points of his own, grabbed nine rebounds and grabbed four blocks throughout the game. No other player on the Suns scored in double figures, with another big man, Bradley Beal, scoring just a staggering nine points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards finished with 40 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels had 18 points on the offensive end.
In this game, Bradley Beal was angry with Suns head coach Frank Vogel's arrangement. After being replaced by Vogel in the third quarter, Beal slapped him.
It doesn't seem good for both the coach and the players. Frank Vogel has already faced scrutiny from Suns fans as the team was swept 4-0 in the first round against the Timberwolves. Meanwhile, there are reports that the Suns could fire Vogel after a year in charge.
Bill's situation is not encouraging. After dealing with injuries that kept him out for most of the regular season, he didn't play as well as he should in the playoffs. But Bill has a no-trade clause and is not at all worried about his future.
Beal averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 assists per game over three games while shooting 44.1 percent from the field. In Game 4, he struggled at key moments of the season, scoring nine points and six turnovers on 4-of-13 shooting.
Although the Suns were fancied to win the series, they were unable to stop the Timberwolves from sweeping. The loss put the Suns in a difficult position on important decisions in the offseason. This includes Frank Vogel's future and Bradley Beale's contracts, which may not have any trade value in the market.
After Beal slapped Vogel, Vogel appeared to lose control of the locker room. He also struggled to implement his defensive plan with an inefficient offense. That's not his strong suit, either. Meanwhile, Beal is expected to earn $50.2 million next season, making him the highest-paid player for his performance. He has $161 million left on his contract for the next three years. This limits the flexibility of the Suns' upgraded roster, as they are already $4.5 million more than the second luxury tax. The Suns also won't have a first- or second-round pick until 2031. The Suns only have seven players under contract next year, but the salary is a whopping $194 million.