Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Phoenix Suns with a 131-122 win to complete a four-game first-round sweep.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 31 points while Chet Holmgren contributed 24 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 131-122 on Monday night, securing a four-game sweep of their first-round series. The Thunder maintained their perfect 12-0 first-round record across the past three seasons. Oklahoma City will now face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets series in the Western Conference semifinals, with the Lakers holding a 3-1 lead despite the Rockets' Game 4 win. Phoenix has now lost 10 consecutive playoff games, a streak that began in 2023.
The Thunder closed the series with a dominant offensive display, converting 17 of their 34 three-point attempts at a 50% success rate. Their frontcourt delivered standout performances, with the 7-foot-1 Holmgren converting 9 of 16 shots and pulling down 12 rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein, standing at 7 feet tall, added 18 points and 12 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. Ajay Mitchell contributed 22 points with four made three-pointers, while Alex Caruso scored 14 points and hit three long-range shots in the opening quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a reliable two-way effort, following a 42-point outing in Game 3 with another efficient performance of 10-of-17 shooting. He helped Oklahoma City build a 75-67 halftime advantage after the team shot 61.4% from the field and 60% from three-point range. Gilgeous-Alexander made a wide-open three-pointer just before the break to put the Thunder up by eight. The Thunder star also extended the lead late in the fourth quarter with an acrobatic layup over three defenders after Cason Wallace hit a corner three to push the score to 120-106 with 5:54 remaining.
Phoenix showed resilience in the second half, cutting a 15-point deficit to 106-98 heading into the final quarter. Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 points, including a 5-of-8 shooting performance in the third quarter. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 23 points, while Collin Gillespie contributed 20 points with six three-pointers. Gillespie was particularly hot early, scoring 17 points in the first half on perfect shooting, including five made threes on six attempts.
Oklahoma City built a 75-67 lead by halftime after shooting 61.4% from the floor and 60% from three-point range, with 12 of 20 three-point attempts finding the net. Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 points by the break, including a crucial late three. The Suns, meanwhile, had an impressive first half as well, making 11 of 20 three-point attempts. Gillespie led Phoenix with 17 points in the opening stanza, converting all six of his shot attempts, five of which were threes.
Oklahoma City played without starting guard Jalen Williams, who missed his second straight game due to a left hamstring strain. Phoenix also had key absences, with center Mark Williams sidelined for a foot injury and guard Jordan Goodwin ruled out with a calf issue. Despite the absence of Williams, the Thunder's depth allowed them to maintain their offensive firepower throughout the series. The Suns' missing frontcourt presence contributed to their defensive struggles in the second half.