Holding a 3–2 series lead entering Thursday’s Game 6, the Nuggets took no chances with the Suns in the first half, dominating proceedings at Footprint Center to charge out to an 81–51 lead.
On the brink of elimination, it was a disastrous moment of déjà vu, harkening back memories from last year’s Western Conference semifinal Game 7 debacle at the hands of the Mavericks in which Phoenix lost by 33 after trailing by 30 at the half.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Thursday night’s and last season’s 30-point halftime deficits are tied for the largest in Suns postseason history.
Phoenix’s first-half performance on Thursday even earned boos from the home crowd as the team headed for the locker room at halftime.
NBA fans and media couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the two playoff mishaps. Here are some of the best reactions from social media.
An eerily familiar feeling in Phoenix: The Suns are hearing some boos from the home crowd while being blown out in a Western Conference semifinals elimination game.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 12, 2023
Phoenix Suns this year vs. last year…This is crazy. 🤯
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 12, 2023
(via @ActionNetworkHQ) pic.twitter.com/BwL3h6V2I7
Live look at Suns fans pic.twitter.com/8rXHmKTkvP
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 12, 2023
Phoenix suns really added Kevin Durant to their roster just to lose the same way they did in game 7 last year😭😭 pic.twitter.com/gDZvr4qDIH
— Raps gen (@RaptorsGen) May 12, 2023
— nba paint (@nba_paint) May 12, 2023
The Phoenix Suns getting blown out in a must-win game at home? pic.twitter.com/ThlcKrukfH
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) May 12, 2023
Luka in Cancun watching Jokic completely destroy the Suns in an elimination game in Phoenix pic.twitter.com/N949BgdCB2
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 12, 2023
Imagine getting 30 balled by halftime in back-to-back elimination games lmaoooooo i'd hate to be a Suns fan pic.twitter.com/311QX9SSWa
— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) May 12, 2023
