Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, Jalen Williams scored 31 on 11-of-16 shooting from the floor and the Oklahoma City Thunder handed the host Phoenix Suns their fourth consecutive home loss, beating them 111-99 on Sunday.
Oklahoma City shot a blistering 9-for-15 from the field in the fourth quarter, while Phoenix sputtered to a 2-of-21 effort in the period. The disparity allowed the Thunder to surge ahead with an 18-4 run, building an 11-point lead with 2:22 remaining.
The final 12-point margin marked the largest lead for either team in what was a competitive game throughout with 16 lead changes and 12 ties.
Oklahoma City’s duo of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams helped make the difference, as well as Phoenix’s 17 turnovers. The Thunder converted those giveaways into 18 points while coughing up possession only nine times on their side of the floor, with the Suns scoring just five points off those miscues.
Oklahoma City also enjoyed a 50-38 advantage in points in the paint.
Chet Holmgren joined Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams in double-figure scoring with 18 points. Holmgren also recorded six rebounds and four assists.
Josh Giddey posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists to go with six rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander had seven rebounds and four assists.
Kevin Durant scored 28 points and snared a game-high nine rebounds for Phoenix, which was again without Devin Booker. Sunday marked Booker’s fifth consecutive absence due to a calf injury.
Bradley Beal was the only other Suns starter who scored in double figures, finishing with 15 points. Beal also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out five assists.
Drew Eubanks scored 15 points off the bench for Phoenix, going 7-for-9 from the floor. Jordan Goodwin added 11 points, contributing to the Suns’ 38-8 advantage in bench points.
The contributions from the Phoenix reserves were not enough to withstand the onslaught from Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. With 31 points, Williams was one shy of matching his career high.
Phoenix took a 59-54 lead into the break after closing the first half on an 8-2 run. The Suns also led after three quarters, moving ahead 86-80 thanks to three points from Eubanks in the final minute of the third.
–Field Level Media