Thunder 138, Suns 89: The Day After Report
That was fun.
The Thunder advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals with a 49-point demolition of the Suns, moving to 24–1 on the season and. Through 25 games, Oklahoma City has broken several historic records:
- Best start to any NBA season (matching the Warriors' start from their 73-win campaign)
- Best start in franchise history
- Longest win streak in franchise history (16 games and counting)
This is not to mention any of the finer accomplishments and streaks that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company are racking up while embarrassing their competition.
We've been told the Suns are one of the league's scrappy, tough teams finding new or rehashed ways of controlling possessions and competing better than the sum of their parts would project. They did lose by merely 4 points in Jalen Williams' first game back (more on him later) a couple weeks back. And for a brief stretch in the first half, I believed Phoenix might even hang around without Devin Booker (out with a groin injury) in the lineup. They had enough shot making from Jamaree Bouyea and forced turnovers from an aggressive Royce O'Neale to keep the developing blowout to within 54-42 with 4:15 left in the second quarter.
Things changed.
OKC hit the Suns with a 20-6 avalanche to close the half and put the game in their back pocket, 74–48. In his first game back after missing the last three with a right adductor strain, Lu "He's a MACHINE! DORT" did the honors of breaking Phoenix's back. He bombed three treys in the last 4 minutes of the half, the last one capped with a wonderful call from Kevin Harlan:
You can guess how the second half went. OKC crushed, building a 50-point lead in the third quarter and hanging on for a 49-point final margin. And it wasn’t even that close.
- Shai remained impossibly hot: 28 points on 11/15, 3-of-4 from deep, 8 assists, and another fourth quarter off. Mr. Consistently Ridiculous.
- Ajay Mitchell looks like he belongs with the demon dogs, embracing the call to pressure, swipe, and jump passing lanes relentlessly. 9 points, 4 assists, 4 boards, a steal, 2 blocks.
- Cason Wallace checked out early after a tough screen collision and didn’t return. He was terrific before that: 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting, 4 steals, 4 boards, 2 assists in 14 minutes. Hopefully the blowout played into the decision to sit him.
- Dort says he's studying at the feet of Wallace, who leads the league in steals.
- Dillon Brooks has been living his best offensive life this season, shooting and scoring (21.7 PPG) like he's playing as himself in 2K. Especially when Brooks has been off the floor. But OKC unplugged Brooks's controller, putting him through hell just to get a shot up without Chet Holmgren disappearing it. Brooks was 4-for-16, his worst offensive night all season.
- Holmgren was monstrous again: 24 points on 9/13, 4/4 from three, 8 rebounds while roaming the paint again as OKC’s lone big (J-Will and Chet didn't share the court all game).
- And Chet's offensive package keeps looking filthier.
- Grayson Allen Grayson Allened, waiting until his team was down 25 to act tough. He shoved Chet off a screen, earning himself a flagrant-2 ejection and giving us a new Shai meme.
- Loud City lived up to its name, staying raucous even while the game was so far out of hand. If the players stay locked in while up 40, the crowd apparently will too.
- Blake Griffin is working hard to sharpen his broadcasting chops, and he's always been a very likeable personality. I'm on board.
One Key Takeaway: JDub is Back
Jalen Williams hasn't had many eye-popping games in his 6 games played since returning from his offseason wrist surgery. This one wasn't either: 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 0 fourth quarter minutes played. But he has steadied the team on both ends alongside SGA, wiping away those rare, vulnerable moments that have occasionally prevented double-digit leads and outcomes for OKC. And since Isaiah Hartenstein's absence has dovetailed with JDub's return, the more undersized, frenzied version of OKC’s hyperactive defense is also back on display.
The Thunder have been better on both ends with JDub, sporting a +25.2 NRTG during his minutes so far. When his shot starts falling more (he's just 28.6% from deep), look out.
Next Up
OKC hosts San Antonio on Saturday for what could, maybe, possibly, finally begin a challenging stretch for the Thunder. If OKC advances, they'll face either the Knicks or Pistons for the Final. And after that, 7 of their next 10 opponents have winning records. Whether Victor Wembanyama is back for three (!) Spurs matchups in the next two weeks is still unknown, but I hope we get to see more epic performances against some real foes soon.
