PHOENIX — Kyrie Irving warned the Nets needed to stay humble. Kenny Atkinson fretted they’d have to take a proverbial punch from the Suns, and find a way to get back up.
The Nets did none of that Sunday. They showed a glass jaw, got knocked down and never hit back in an embarrassing 138-112 blowout loss before 17,290 at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
The Nets fell behind right out of the gate, trailed by as many as 30 and rarely showed any defensive resistance.
“You’ve got to bring the physicality and the energy.