"Oh, my gosh," Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky shouted. "I'm trash!"
Lucky for Suns fans, he wasn't talking about his on-the-court prowess.
There were moments Monday when Kaminsky wasn't happy with his NBA 2K20 play, but his Suns kept it competitive against Brian Bowen II's Indiana Pacers, with Indiana edging out the win 93-87.
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Previous sims presented by the Suns with different players at the helm have been blowouts, but this one was a tight affair. The Pacers led by only two at halftime and 70-67 after the third quarter. With Kaminsky constantly challenging, Bowen pulled away to an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter, but "Frank the Tank" brought it back to within one with 28 seconds remaining. Bowen clutched up with nice passing, a bucket and a foul on the next play, leading to the victory.
Malcolm Brogdon led all scorers with 26 points. Devin Booker had 19 for Phoenix.
As for the digital Kaminsky's play?
"I had an efficient eight points on nine shots," the former Wisconsin star said jokingly.
Perhaps the retro sunglasses -- shades that Kaminsky wore the entire game -- are to blame.
.@FSKPart3 looking like @drdisrespect during today's stream 😎 pic.twitter.com/9rwOT8Pz9G
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 23, 2020
There was a friendly wager between the competitors, revealed at the end of the stream, when Bowen ended things by saying, "He owes me 60 pushups."
"No timeline," Kaminsky replied.
The Suns have been routinely presenting regular-season game simulations during the NBA's hiatus -- triggered by the coronavirus outbreak -- with athletes such as Suns player Ty Jerome, Josh Okogie of the Timberwolves and NFL players Tony Jefferson and Keenan Allen participating. NBA 2K League competitor and Phoenix native Antonio "PHE" Saldivar also has repped his Suns during the streams.
If the Suns continue simulating the regular season, we'll see a Wednesday tilt against the Washington Wizards, a Friday game vs. the Philadelphia 76ers and a Saturday meeting with the Miami Heat.