Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard publicly questioned Minnesota Timberwolves floor general Patrick Beverley’s strong, lengthy criticism of Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns Monday after they were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday.
Damian Lillard @Dame_Lillard
@patbev21 what CP do to you?
Damian Lillard @Dame_Lillard
Bra on TV acting like his word law. Speaking on private convos and praying on mfs downfall. This weird behavior smh 🤷🏽♂️ … I ain’t got a horse in the race https://t.co/F6Cln8BBst
Among other things, Beverley, who appeared on Get Up and First Take Monday morning, notably said “guys in the NBA” don’t worry about playing the Suns.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“Do guys in the NBA go to sleep early the night before playing the Phoenix Suns? Hell no. … I’m going to Steak 44 … have me a nice little wine … Steph Curry? I’m going to bed at 8 o’clock. … Mom, don’t call me. My girl, don’t call me.”
The Suns’ season ended after a 123-90 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Paul struggled significantly in the final five games of the Mavs series, and the Suns trailed by as many as 46 points at home before falling to Dallas on Sunday.
The Mavs’ starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson notably outscored Paul and fellow Suns guard Devin Booker 55-23.
It was an ugly end to the season, and Beverley provided a heavy dose of criticism for Paul.
Of note, he said on Get Up that the Suns should have benched Paul instead of center Deandre Ayton, who played just 17 minutes.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
.@patbev21 says the Suns should’ve benched Chris Paul instead of Deandre Ayton 👀
“They benched the wrong person. They should’ve benched Chris.”
He also called Paul a “cone” on defense.
ESPN @espn
“CP can’t guard nobody man. Everybody in the NBA know that. … He’s a cone. … Give him the Ben Simmons slander.”
Lillard fired at Beverley’s own game in reaction to all the talk:
Damian Lillard @Dame_Lillard
Cuz nobody guarding this man . https://t.co/MlnKvLvWrh
The ending to the Suns’ season naturally opens them up to criticism, but it was still an exceptional year for Paul nevertheless. He helped lead the Suns to an NBA-best 64-18 record, earned his 12th All-Star Game honor and averaged 22.3 points and 11.3 assists per game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round.