Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered again, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are moving on. With 31 points from their All‑NBA guard and a balanced effort across the roster, the Thunder outlasted the Phoenix Suns 131-122 on Tuesday to finish off a four‑game sweep in their first‑round playoff series.
The Thunder—now 12-0 in first‑round games over the past three seasons—will face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets matchup in the Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers hold a 3-1 lead, though the Rockets forced a Game 5.
Thunder’s Offensive Surge
Oklahoma City closed the series with an overwhelming offensive performance, hitting 17-for-34 from 3‑point range. Chet Holmgren, the 7‑foot‑1 big man, added 24 points and 12 rebounds on 9-for-16 shooting. Isaiah Hartenstein was equally effective, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds, 7 of them on the offensive glass.
Ajay Mitchell chipped in 22 points, knocking down four 3s, while Alex Caruso scored 14 and hit three triples in the opening quarter. Gilgeous‑Alexander, steady as ever, followed up his 42‑point Game 3 with another efficient night, shooting 10-for-17 from the field.
Suns Fight Back but Fall Short
Phoenix showed some fight in the second half, trimming a 15‑point deficit to 106-98 entering the fourth quarter. Devin Booker scored 12 in the third on 5-for-8 shooting, but every time the Suns threatened, the Thunder answered.
Cason Wallace buried a corner 3 with 5:54 left to push the lead back to 120-106, and Gilgeous‑Alexander followed with a crafty layup over three defenders. Booker led Phoenix with 24 points, while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each had 23. Collin Gillespie added 20, making six 3s, five of them before halftime.
First-Half Fireworks
The Thunder built a 75-67 lead at the break, shooting 61.4% overall and 12-for-20 from deep. Gilgeous‑Alexander had 17 before halftime, including a wide‑open 3 just before the buzzer. Gillespie kept the Suns close early, scoring 17 in the first half and hitting all six of his shots, five from beyond the arc.
Missing Pieces
Both teams were shorthanded. Oklahoma City played without starter Jalen Williams, sidelined again with a left hamstring strain. Phoenix was missing center Mark Williams (foot) and guard Jordan Goodwin (calf).
For the Suns, the loss extended their playoff drought to 10 straight games dating back to 2023. For the Thunder, it was another statement of resilience and depth, setting up a semifinal clash with either the Lakers or Rockets.
