By Matija Šerić
On the night from Monday to Tuesday at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, the Thunder defeated the home Suns 122–131, closing out the Western Conference quarterfinal series 4–0. Oklahoma City continued its excellent playoff form from the regular season and swept Phoenix. The Suns could not even secure a consolation win. This is a realistic outcome we all expected (given it was a matchup between the 1st and 8th seed in the conference), but the four games played revealed the full strength of OKC’s talent. Several key observations stand out.
Game 1 – Suns’ turnovers and Thunder’s efficient fast breaks
The first game often shapes the entire series. The Thunder did not want to take any risks. At their Paycom Center, they already led by 21 points at halftime, eventually winning 119–84.
The “big three” — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams — played like they were in peak form from last season. This was especially encouraging considering Williams missed a large part of the season (49 games) due to injury. Together they scored 63 points.
SGA dominated with 25 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. However, he shot poorly from the field (5–18), but was rescued by free throws (15–17).
The Suns trio — Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green — put up a solid fight. Booker scored 23 points (but shot only 34.9%), Brooks added 18 points and 7 assists, while Green contributed 17 points.
The difference came down to shooting efficiency (45% vs 35% for OKC), but especially turnovers: 19 for Phoenix and only 8 for Oklahoma. In points off turnovers, OKC dominated 34–2, and in fast-break points 18–2. These three factors were decisive and once again proved Oklahoma has the best defense in the league.
Bench production was also important: 40–24 in favor of the home team.
Game 2 – strong Thunder defense and Williams injury
In the second game, Phoenix offered stronger resistance but still lost 120–107.
Field goal shooting was nearly even (47–46 for OKC), and both teams shot 35% from three.
Once again, turnovers made the difference: 22 for Phoenix and 10 for Oklahoma.
Brooks played well with 30 points (five threes), 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. Booker and Green scored 22 and 21 points.
SGA took control with 37 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds. After a poor shooting opening game, he improved significantly, hitting 4 of 9 mid-range shots and 2 of 5 from three. He was the best player on the court.
Holmgren added 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Williams also scored 19 points — but suffered a setback, re-injuring his left hamstring. He is expected to miss around two weeks, meaning a possible return in Game 2 or 3 of the Western semifinals.
Defensively, OKC again looked elite. Holmgren recorded 4 blocks, showing why he is among the league’s top defenders. Isaiah Hartenstein added another block.
Game 3 – an outstanding SGA performance
The third game was decisive. OKC won 109–121 on the road, taking a commanding 3–0 lead.
The first three quarters were closely contested, but Oklahoma took control in the fourth.
SGA scored 42 points (15–18 shooting) with 8 assists. It was clear he was unstoppable — capable of beating Phoenix almost single-handedly.
His performance was historically efficient: one of only a handful of playoff games in NBA history with 40+ points on over 90% shooting.
Ajay Mitchell added 15 points, Alex Caruso 13.
Holmgren and Hartenstein contributed blocks again, while Brooks led Phoenix with 33 points. Booker struggled with only 16 points on poor shooting (6–16).
Game 4 – a showcase of OKC roster depth
The final game of the series ended 122–131. Oklahoma led throughout, with no realistic chance of Phoenix forcing a Game 5.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Suns cut the deficit to 98–106, but OKC controlled the finish.
Both teams shot extremely well (54%–53% for OKC), and Oklahoma hit 50% from three (17–34).
Interestingly, the Thunder lost the turnover battle this time (17–12), but it didn’t matter.
SGA scored 31 points, Holmgren 24, Mitchell 22, and Hartenstein 18.
Booker led Phoenix with 24 points, while Brooks and Green added 23 each. Collin Gillespie had a standout performance with 20 points and six three-pointers.
The Thunder also showed how dangerous they can be without SGA on the floor — in 10 minutes without him, they scored 31 points on 11–17 shooting, including 4–6 from three.
Oklahoma and SGA on the path to defending the title
The Suns became the only team swept 4–0 in the quarterfinals this season. Despite that, they showed competitiveness under coach Jordan Ott, with contributions from new players like Dillon Brooks.
However, their season ends here.
Oklahoma advances to the semifinals against the winner of the Lakers–Rockets series. The Lakers currently lead 3–1, making a Thunder–Lakers matchup likely.
That would set up a blockbuster duel between SGA and LeBron James.
No matter the opponent, the Thunder will enter as favorites — and the leading candidates to win another NBA championship.
