‘This is insane’: NBA favourites Phoenix Suns fall apart in Western Conference semi-finals

The Phoenix Suns have been knocked out of the NBA Playoffs following an “embarrassing” first half against the Dallas Mavericks.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns have been knocked out of the NBA Playoffs following an “embarrassing” first half capitulation against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference semi-finals.

One of the favourites to clinch the NBA Championship this year, Phoenix won 64 regular season games to cement their place at the top of the Western Conference ladder.

Watch Live Coverage of The 2022 NBA Playoffs with ESPN on Kayo including every game of The Conference Finals and The Finals. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

But the Suns fell apart in front of stunned home fans on Monday (AEST), scoring just 27 points against Dallas before the halftime break.

In comparison, Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic managed 27 points all on his own in the opening two quarters to became the first player in 25 post-seasons to equal the opposing team’s points total in a single half.

Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 21 points, including four three-pointers, to help give the Mavericks a huge 57-27 lead at the break.

LUKA DROPPED HIM 😱

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/7HSeoE3hvu

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 16, 2022

One of the most embarrassing performances in franchise history for the Suns. Dallas leads by 30 before halftime.

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 16, 2022

Booker is 0-for-6. Paul is 0-3. This doesn't seem real, but, so far, it is.

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) May 16, 2022

Wtf is going on in Pheonix Omg

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 16, 2022

This is insane…

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 16, 2022

The Suns, who scored a season-low 17 points in the first quarter, shot 24.4 per cent from the floor and 21.4 per cent from downtown in the first half. Devin Booker and Chris Paul combined to shoot 0-for-11 from beyond the arc.

The Mavericks ultimately claimed a comprehensive 123-90 victory, with Doncic managing 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Dallas at one point looked on track to break their own record for largest Game 7 margin of victory — a 40-point win over the Rockets in 2005.

The Mavericks will face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images