The Phoenix Suns have it all to do against the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference Semifinal series. On the heels of a 97-87 loss in Game 2, the Phoenix is now facing a 2-0 series deficit.
The Suns simply had no answer for MVP finalist Nikola Jokic, who poured in 39 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and two steals, but it was the Nuggets' defense that caused them the most headaches in Game 2.
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The Nuggets turned in a stingy defensive performance in Game 2, limiting the Suns to just 14 points in the fourth quarter on 7-of-25 shooting and 0-of-9 from the 3-point line. For the game, the Suns shot 40 percent from the field (38-of-95) and just 19.4 percent from the 3-point line (6-of-31).
Monday night's game was also the Suns' second-lowest scoring night of 2022-23 and just the fourth time this season they've been held under 90 points.
Now, they'll have to win four of the series' next five games in order to advance to the Conference Finals.
Last time Suns trailed 2-0 in playoff series
The last time the Suns trailed 2-0 in a playoff series, Chris Paul was a New Orleans Hornet, Kevin Durant was in his third NBA season with the Oklahona City Thunder, and Devin Booker was 13 years old.
The Suns haven't trailed in a playoff series since the 2010 Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, when Steve Nash and company dropped the first two games against Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and the Lakers.
Phoenix bounced back in Games 3 and 4, but Los Angeles went on to advance to the NBA Finals by winning the series in six games.
Suns comebacks from 2-0 in playoff series
History is not on the Suns' side when it comes to playoff comebacks. In franchise history, the Suns are 0-13 when facing a 2-0 deficit in a seven-game series.
Can the Suns bounce back? 👀 pic.twitter.com/cUv4rPRZr0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 2, 2023
The only time the Suns have ever recovered from a 2-0 deficit came in 1993 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, which was the best-of-five.
Led by MVP Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, and Dan Majerle, the Suns dropped the first two games of the series against the Lakers, before reeling off three straight wins to begin a run to the NBA Finals.
How many teams have come back from 2-0 in playoff series?
According to Land of Basketball's database, only 33 teams have come back from a 2-0 series deficit out of 446 instances.
The odds don't read well for the Suns, giving them just a 7.4 percent chance of completing the comeback.
In the 2022-23 playoffs, the Golden State Warriors did just that against the Sacramento Kings. After trailing 2-0, they advanced to the second round thanks to a Game 7 victory.
Recent examples of teams overcoming a 2-0 deficit include:
- 2023 West First Round: Warriors defeat Kings 4-3
- 2022 West Semis: Mavericks defeat Suns 4-3
- 2021 NBA Finals: Bucks defeat Suns 4-2
- 2021 West Semis: Clippers defeat Jazz 4-2
- 2021 East Semis: Bucks defeat Nets 4-3
- 2021 West First Round: Clippers defeat Mavericks 4-3
