Kevin Durant Takes Responsibility for Suns' Game 1 Defeat vs. Nuggets

• Kevin Durant has taken the blame for Phoenix Suns' blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets
• Durant had seven turnovers as the Nuggets comfortably won Game 1 125-107
• The 34-year-old finished with 29 points

Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns were thoroughly beaten by the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs.

Durant took the blame for the loss, pointing at his turnovers for the reason they couldn't win the game.

The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference led by as many as 25 points in the second half of their convincing 125-107 in front of a loud sellout crowd at Ball Arena.

Durant finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds. He committed almost half (7) of Phoenix's turnovers (16). Devin Booker added 27 points, per the Arizona Republic.

Philadelphia 76ers use three-point barrage to bury Brooklyn Nets in Game 1

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The Suna also lost Game 1 of their previous series against the Los Angeles Clippers before winning four straight to close the series.

Durant takes blame

Suns head coach Monty Williams took the starters out with 5:09 remaining on the clock and the Suns down 118-95.

The two-time NBA finals MVP said his performance was not great, per Bleacher Report.

"I only had one assist and seven turnovers. We're not going to win basketball games like that," Durant said. "I gotta be way more careful with the ball."

The veteran wasn't surprised by the Nuggets' display.

"The Nuggets? Surprised? Am I surprised about the Nuggets? Hell no! They are the number one seed for a reason. They got a two-time MVP. They got a deep team. No, I'm not surprised. They can go out there and win games," via Sportskeeda.

LeBron James credits Lakers' supporting cast for huge Game 1 win

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The Suna could not contain Jamal Murray, who finished with 34 points, going 6-of-10 on 3s. Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had a double-double of 24 points and 19 rebounds.

Durant picks his 2023 MVP

Sports Brief earlier reported on Durant picking Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid as the MVP for the 2022/23 season following an impressive campaign.

One of Joel Embiid or former MVPs Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will walk away with the award.

"Joel Embiid. It's a constant conversation that I'm tired of but its good to see so many skilled players stepping up and playing like MVPs. It's good for the game of basketball...I didn't wanna pick because I knew I'm going to get Jokic fans on my timeline and Giannis fans."