The Oklahoma City Thunder holds a 3-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns ahead of Game 4 on Monday night, an opportunity for the Thunder to sweep its first-round opponent and get some rest ahead of the second round. OKC is a big favorite, despite missing Jalen Williams with a strained hamstring. The Suns will almost certainly put up a fight, but the Thunder feels inevitable at this point.
Game 3 was the most competitive matchup of the series so far, but OKC was still dominant when it mattered. Phoenix led by 9 late in the first quarter, but the Thunder quickly bounced back to take control before trading leads briefly with the Suns shortly before halftime. OKC never trailed in the second half, leading by as many as 16 before reaching the final score of 121-109.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant, knocking down 15-of-18 (83.3%) attempts from the floor on his way to 42 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds. Filling in for the injured Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell was the next highest scorer for the Thunder with 15 points, but he shot an abysmal 5-of-20 (25%) from the field.
Despite Mitchell’s poor shooting, OKC overcame early struggles thanks once again to an incredible defensive effort. The Suns didn’t turn the ball over nearly as much as they had in the first couple of games, but some costly ones in the second half helped the Thunder pad the lead. Expect the same defensive intensity from OKC in Game 4, and don’t be surprised if they have a hot night from three after three straight games of shooting below the season average from downtown.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 8:30 PM CT
Location: Mortgage Matchup Center (Phoenix, Arizona)
Television: NBC Sports Network and Peacock
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Phoenix Suns Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Ajay Mitchell
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Suns
- PG: Colin Gillespie
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Jalen Green
- PF: Dillon Brooks
- C: Oso Ighodaro
Injury Report
Thunder
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (strained left hamstring) is OUT.
Suns
- Jordan Goodwin (left calf soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Mark Williams (left foot soreness) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 41-23 against the Suns in the regular season (24-8 at home, 17-15 on the road) and 3-0 in the Playoffs (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder have won the season series against the Suns 13 times, tied once, and lost 5 times.
- OKC went 3-2 against Phoenix in the regular season (2-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- OKC leads Phoenix 3-0 in the first round of the Playoffs (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).