NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder finish sweep of Suns

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and dished out eight assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder closed out a four-game first-round playoff sweep with a 131-122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Ajay Mitchell contributed 22 points and six assists as the top-seeded Thunder swept their opening Western Conference series for the third straight season.

Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Alex Caruso provided 14 points off the bench for Oklahoma City. Mitchell and Caruso each knocked down four 3-pointers as the Thunder advanced to the second round, where they will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 points, while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green scored 23 points apiece. Phoenix was swept in the first round for the second consecutive postseason appearance, having also been eliminated in 2024. The Suns have now lost 10 straight playoff games dating back to 2023.

Collin Gillespie added six 3-pointers en route to 20 points for Phoenix, and Grayson Allen chipped in 12 points.

The Thunder were again without Jalen Williams, who missed the game due to a hamstring injury suffered in Game 2.

Oklahoma City shot 53.7% from the field, including 17-of-34 from 3-point range. The Suns shot 53.3% overall but made just 14-of-39 (35.9%) from beyond the arc.

Mitchell and Gilgeous-Alexander each hit 3-pointers in the final 35 seconds of the first half to help the Thunder take a 75-67 lead at the break. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first half, while Oklahoma City shot 61.4% from the field over the opening two quarters. Gillespie was perfect in the half, making all six of his shots, including five 3-pointers, to finish with 17 points as Phoenix shot 59.5% before halftime.

The Thunder built an 11-point lead in the first half, and Gilgeous-Alexander later extended it in the third quarter with a three-point play, giving Oklahoma City a 95-84 advantage with 7:26 remaining in the period. Holmgren then buried a 3-pointer to push the lead to 95-80 moments later.

Phoenix responded with an 8-0 run, fueled by five points from Booker and three from Brooks, cutting the deficit to 99-92 with 2:55 left in the third quarter.

Oklahoma City entered the fourth quarter ahead 106-98. Hartenstein opened the final period with a three-point play, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup extended the lead to 122-106 with 5:23 remaining as the Thunder sealed the sweep. -Field Level Media/Reuters