Thunder 131, Suns 122: The Day After Report

PHOTOS⚡THUNDER | NBA Play-by-Play | CourtSketch Box Score

Postgame Bolts

• Pour one out for OKC's first playoff bucket being a Lu Dort 3.
  RIP: April 19, 2026 to April 25, 2026.
• Thunder had a stretch in the 1st quarter with these 3 straight possessions:
  Cason Wallace - 3
  Alex Caruso - 3
  Alex Caruso - 3
• OKC is extremely tough to beat when their elite bench defenders are hitting from deep.
• Chet Holmgren scored 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the 1st quarter.
• Isaiah Joe checked in to start the 2nd quarter and immediately knocked down a 3.
• Joe missed Game 3 due to attend his grandmother's funeral. Wishing the best for Joe's family.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 points on 6-9 shooting at halftime in Game 4. He had 17 points on 7-7 shooting at halftime in Game 3. Sheesh what a fall off. Gotta get back in the lab, Shai.
• The Suns took a 7-point lead midway through the 2nd quarter. SGA and Ajay Mitchell led OKC on a big run that squashed all Phoenix hope and put the Thunder up 75-67 at the break.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in 13 straight playoff games. I refuse to quit the bit.
• Oh and that's now 3 straight 30-point playoff games for SGA. Clockwork.
• Isaiah Hartenstein padded his stats with a free throw miss, rebound of his own shot, a dunk attempt, another drawn foul. Buy one get one free at the line for iHart.
• 2 Cason Wallace shooting fouls. 2 successful Mark Daigneault challenges. 4 Suns free throws off the board.
• Never seen it mentioned, but Isaiah Hartenstein has a talent for one-armed rebounds while still boxing out.
• Jamal Crawford couldn't believe SGA's 4th quarter stats: "I thought it was AI when I saw it."
• I can't remember the exact numbers, but SGA has only missed 1 shot in the 4th quarter or overtime since like the moon landing.
• Chet Holmgren's hit in the face streak is nipping on the heels of SGA's 20-point game streak.
• SGA had three ridiculous highlight reel and-1's in Game 4. The most ridiculous was SGA splitting two different Suns doubles on the same drive, shifting the ball four times in the air and throw up a lefty layup that had no business of going in. Splash.
• Thunder are 12-0 in their last 3 1st round series. 3 straight 1st round sweeps.
• Thunder are the only team to sweep their 1st round series. And the first team to qualify for Round 2.
• SGA and Dillon Brooks shared a big hug and the Team Canada teammates were all smiles postgame.
• Kudos to the Phoenix Suns.
  Traded away KD.
  Vegas over/under was 30.5 wins.
  Projected as the #14 seed.
  This team changed their culture, far exceeded all expectations and made the playoffs.
  Tough, high effort team that was fun to watch.
• Thunder bigs with remarkably similar stat lines in Game 4.
  Holmgren: 24 PTS/12 REB/3 AST/2 STL
  Hartenstein: 18 PTS/12 REB/3 AST/1 STL
• Ajay Mitchell was exactly what OKC needed him to be in the absence of Jalen Williams. Mitchell scored 22 points, hit 4-of-6 3 pointers, dished out 6 assists and... wait for it... was a game high +27 in 34 minutes.
• The headline performances were deservedly SGA, Chet, Mitchell and Hartenstein. But Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace both had a huge impact off the bench with their typical lock down defense but also lighting it up from deep.
• Don't tell Bill Simmons, but add Devin Booker to those who believe SGA is the best player in the world: “He’s the MVP of the league, and he’s playing the best basketball in the league for the past two years.”
• Up next: Round 2 will either be the NBA's most popular team vs the NBA champs OR Kevin Durant vs the Thunder. Either one is going to be the Martin Scorsese absolute cinema meme.

One Key Takeaway