Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points and Ajay Mitchell added 15, in place of the injured Jalen Williams, as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns with a score of 121 to 109. With this result, the current champions take a 3-0 lead in the first round series within the Western Conference.
First modification: 04/26/2026 - 02:20Last modification: 04/26/2026 - 04:40
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning league MVP, made 15 of 18 shots, even in tight situations, frustrating the Suns defense, which until then had played quite well for much of the game. Alex Caruso contributed 13 points off the bench, while Chet Holmgren added 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
With Saturday's result, the reigning NBA champions will look for a sweep in Game 4 on Monday in Phoenix.
Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 33 points, after making 11 of 21 shots from the field, while Jalen Green contributed another 26 for the Phoenix team.
Oklahoma took an 87-79 lead after the third quarter and never trailed in the fourth quarter. Gilegous-Alexander hit a difficult 18-foot jumper to put the Thunder up 102-87 with about five minutes left, demoralizing the Phoenix fans and virtually ending any hope of a comeback.
When the Thunder led 69-60 at the beginning of the third quarter, Suns guard Devin Booker injured his left ankle while attempting a drive to the basket. He remained on the ground for a few seconds, visibly in pain, before getting up and limping back to the locker room.
The five-time All-Star returned a few minutes later to loud cheers from the home crowd, scoring a short jumper from the baseline and a three-pointer to reduce the Thunder's lead to 75-69.
Oklahoma City scored the next six points to stop the comeback. Booker finished with 16 points and seven assists.
The Suns took an early 24-15 lead, but the Thunder quickly rallied after hitting four 3-pointers during a 16-3 run. The game remained close for the remainder of the first half, with Oklahoma City taking the lead late in the second quarter after establishing a score of 62-53.
Gilgeous-Alexander made all seven of his shots before halftime to lead the Thunder with 17 points. Brooks scored 13 for the Suns.
Thunder were without Williams, the scoring point guard who injured his left hamstring in Game 2. Mitchell started in his place and only made 5 of 20 shots from the field, but contributed six rebounds and two assists.
For the Suns, center Mark Williams did not see action after suffering a foot injury, nor could point guard Jordan Goodwin be on the court due to calf discomfort. Grayson Allen returned from a hamstring injury and scored seven points in 17 minutes.
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