Nurkic irked by officers after setting Suns’ rebound file

PHOENIX — Jusuf Nurkic broke the Suns’ franchise file with 31 rebounds, essentially the most in an NBA recreation in 13 years, however he did not need to speak a lot concerning the feat after a 118-110 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Sunday evening.

Nurkic and Phoenix coach Frank Vogel spoke critically of some missed foul calls after the Thunder escaped with the victory regardless of blowing a 24-point lead.

“I do not know, man, I am simply making an attempt to do my function one of the best I can. Nevertheless it’s type of actually tousled when you’ve gotten 13 offensive rebounds and 16 photographs then zero free throws,” Nurkic stated. “As exhausting as I work, and I really feel like [I’m] getting fouled as [much as] anyone within the league.

“And I am not right here saying — we misplaced the sport, it’s what it’s — [but] it is simply, it is not likely widespread sense. At the least one [free throw]. [To] not even have one? However I do know it occurs. I ain’t the primary one, and I ain’t going to be the final, both, sadly.”

Vogel, specifically, was targeted on how usually he thought Suns star Kevin Durant was fouled.

“We have to be higher,” the coach stated. “[But] I am going to begin by saying they fouled the s— out of Kevin Durant all evening. Whether or not he has the ball and he is getting stripped three, 4, possibly even 5 occasions, and each time he tries to get open, he is being held, which is one thing I really need the league to take a look at.”

Each Vogel and Nurkic famous the Suns’ 22 turnovers, as nicely. Oklahoma Metropolis had six.

“That is the place it begins, the turnover downside,” Vogel added. “We have had points with it all year long. This crew is No. 1 within the league in forcing turnovers; we did not deal with their stress nicely sufficient and their size — and recognizing our size once we attempt to contact the paint. It was pricey.”

Nurkic completed with 14 factors, as nicely, however he had 5 of Phoenix’s turnovers.

“One other turnover challenge,” he stated. “We received 22? So, I feel all of us agree within the locker room that this s— has received to alter. We’ll see going ahead one thing completely different.”

Nurkic’s efforts off the boards resulted in essentially the most rebounds by any participant since Kevin Love had 31 in 2010, in line with ESPN Stats & Data analysis.

“Unimaginable,” Vogel stated of Nurkic. “The loss apart, you simply have a look at a 31-rebound evening, at any level within the NBA historical past, [it] is simply an unimaginable efficiency. The very best in Phoenix Suns historical past. He’s a beast on the defensive finish of the court docket.”

On Nov. 12, 2010, Love, whereas with the Minnesota Timberwolves, completed with 31 factors and 31 rebounds in a 112-103 victory over the New York Knicks. Nurkic was 16 years previous when Love posted that complete.

“I noticed, on the display screen, that I had 28,” Nurkic stated, when requested if he knew, in the course of the recreation, he was on his strategy to historical past. “Nevertheless it would not actually matter. I imply, it is nice, however we misplaced the sport.”

Nurkic eclipsed the Phoenix rebound mark of 27 rebounds set by Tyson Chandler towards the Atlanta Hawks in January 2016. Nurkic’s earlier profession excessive was 23 for the Portland Path Blazers towards the Sacramento Kings in January 2019. The 7-footer had 22 earlier this season towards each the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets.

The Suns performed Sunday with out star guard Devin Booker after he sprained his proper ankle late in a loss to the visiting Houston Rockets on Saturday evening.

Oklahoma Metropolis improved to 42-18 to take a half-game lead over its rivals Minnesota and the Denver Nuggets within the Western Convention’s Northwest Division. The Thunder had received six in a row earlier than shedding Thursday evening on the San Antonio Spurs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 35 factors for the Thunder, and all 5 Oklahoma Metropolis starters scored in double figures. Jalen Williams put up 22 factors, Chet Holmgren 14, Luguentz Dort 13 and Josh Giddey 10. Gilgeous-Alexander additionally tallied eight rebounds and 9 assists.

Bradley Beal scored 31 factors for Phoenix (35-26). Ejected Saturday evening for a scuffle with Houston’s Jalen Inexperienced, Beal performed 33 minutes in his second recreation again from a strained hamstring. Durant added 20 factors, and Eric Gordon scored 15 after lacking three video games due to a groin harm.

Vogel stated earlier than Sunday’s contest that Booker’s ankle was nonetheless being evaluated and that the crew would have extra info Tuesday.

Initially, Phoenix shook off Booker’s absence, racing to a 17-4 lead. However the Thunder scored the subsequent 10 factors and completed the primary quarter on a 24-7 run to steer 28-22. Gilgeous-Alexander had 10 factors within the interval.

Nurkic performed seven minutes within the first quarter and had 12 rebounds — however the Suns registered just one rebound for the remainder of the quarter after he went to the bench for a breather.

“He is a giant fella, man. He works his tail off down there. He competes. He tries to get each single rebound,” Beal stated of Nurkic. “I feel that simply speaks quantity; he is one of the best rebounding large within the league, for certain. His skill to make use of his measurement, filter area.

“[I] tip my hat to him.”

Gilgeous-Alexander, second to the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic in scoring common at 31.4 getting into Sunday’s matchup, had 18 factors within the first half because the Thunder led 66-52 at intermission. Beal scored 17 to steer the Suns.

Oklahoma Metropolis was up by as many as 24 earlier than the Suns stormed again to chop it to 86-83 late within the third quarter. Gordon’s 3-pointer early within the fourth quarter made it 91-89, the Suns’ first lead for the reason that first quarter.

The Related Press contributed to this report.