The Phoenix Suns went into Paycom Center playing their third game in four nights, missing Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen, and ran into a buzzsaw Oklahoma CIty Thunder team, losing 99-83. This is the first time this season the Suns lost back to back games. Both teams did not shoot the ball well but OKC played its typical defense and smothered the Suns offense.
Coach Bud started Josh Okogie in place of Royce O’Neale and JO delivered early in the game. But OKC’s swarming defense stymied the Suns, holding the Suns to 29.3% shooting from the field and 24.3% from the three-point line. The Thunder had 11 blocks, 6 steals and outscored the Suns in the paint 48-22.
The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 25 points. However, to the Suns’ credit, he took 25 shots to get those 25 points. Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams scored 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Devin Booker was 2-for-10 from the field, scoring only 12 points, and was a -29 for the game. Josh Okogie was the leading scorer with 15 points but 12 coming in the first half and Royce O’Neale scored 11.
The Suns could not get anything going offensively and were lucky the score was as close as it was as the Thunder shot only 39.6% from the field and 25.0% from the three-point line.
Game Flow
First Half
The Suns opened the game with an initial four-point burst but managed only 10 more points throughout the rest of the first quarter. Meanwhile, OKC showcased their signature style—strong defense, fluid ball movement, and sharp three-point shooting. A decisive 12-0 run by OKC widened the gap, closing the quarter with a commanding 29-14 lead over the Suns.
Tyus Jones and Devin Booker failed to make a shot from the field and were a combined 0 for 10! Tyus was 0 for 5 all on 3point shots. The Suns were not defending the 3point line and were getting beat back door in the first.
Josh Ogokie was the lone standout in the first half scoring 12 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. At one point, JO had 12 points and the rest of the team had 15!
The Suns managed to outscore OKC 22-19 in the second quarter going into the half down 48-36. They played better defense and showed some fight in the second quarter.
The Suns missed 7 free throws in the first half.
Second Half
Five minutes into the third quarter the Suns are down 21. Devin Booker scored his first basket three minutes into the third quarter. The Suns shooting woes continued.
OKC extends its lead 83-60 at the end of the third quarter outscoring the Suns 35-24 in that quarter. The Suns just could not cut the lead until garbage time.
Suns emptied their bench with five minutes left in the game.
Up next, the Suns play at Minnesota on November 17.
