Devin Booker had earned everyone's respect. Nearly dropping 40 points against the Grizzlies while causing them so much trouble, Booker's performance had exceeded many people's expectations.
But in the end, he still failed to win the game.
The game against the Suns finally pulled the Grizzlies out of their losing streak, making Memphis fans breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Thank goodness Link, their "stabilizing pillar," had not allowed another skid to begin.
Now, the Grizzlies still held a two-game lead over the Warriors. Though the gap was not large, the Grizzlies at least remained ahead.
Having failed to seize the opportunity to close the gap, the Warriors were surely very unwilling to accept it.
Although no one had truly expected the Suns to take down the Grizzlies, their performance in the first half had indeed given people hope.
People had thought this would be Devin Booker's breakout game, yet in the end, nothing about the result had changed.
Although the Warriors had also won that day and prevented the gap from widening further, Link's provocative words toward the Warriors after the game still greatly displeased Durant and the others.
Many Warriors fans also said, "Link only beat a rebuilding team. They nearly lost to a rebuilding team, so what is there for him to be so smug about?"
This seemed to become an excuse for Warriors fans to comfort themselves. They all believed that the Grizzlies would have plenty of chances to stumble in the games ahead.
Seeing so many people share that opinion, Durant also started typing: "If that counts as a victory, then they really don't deserve first place in the West. Maybe we should take it instead."
Durant had originally meant to mock Link for being so happy after beating such a weak opponent, but Link