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The OKC Thunder looked to stay unbeaten against the Phoenix Suns this season when they squared off on Sunday. Oklahoma won 111-99 on Nov. 12 to open the hostilities. As the two teams are scheduled to face each other thrice, OKC would win the season series with a victory in the rematch.
Phoenix hit its first four shots to start the game with an early lead before OKC began to catch up. Unsurprisingly, Kevin Durant paced the Suns with able backing from Jusuf Nurkic and Bradley Beal. The absence of the injured Devin Booker had been felt by the home team by the midway point of the first period.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sizzled for 10 points, while Chet Holmgren added five. Isaiah Joe helped the Thunder’s late flurry with six points. They pushed Oklahoma to a 28-24 advantage after 12 minutes.
The Suns did a better job guarding "SGA" at the start of the second quarter, but the added attention allowed the others to get better looks. Lu Dort, Josh Giddey and Jalin Williams contributed more, with Phoenix sending double teams to the Thunder superstar.
The Phoenix Suns' improved defense, though, was undone by their turnovers. They coughed up the ball eight times in the second period. The miscues allowed the OKC Thunder to start pulling away from the hosts.
A 20-6 kick to end the quarter gave Oklahoma a 66-52 advantage leading into the halftime break. The third quarter was when the Phoenix Suns played their best basketball against the OKC Thunder. They took care of the ball and executed well on both ends of the court. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal led the scoring charge as the Suns ended the frame with a 25-5 run.
After three quarters, Phoenix cut the deficit to 89-85. Momentum was squarely on the home team's side before the start of the final quarter. The Suns continued their resurgence until the midway point of the final period before turnovers again hurt them.
Oklahoma's young stars played with composure and clutch shotmaking. Slowly and steadily, they cut the deficit and eventually roared to a lead they would never relinquish.
The Phoenix Suns cold not overcome the 31-9 deficit in points off turnovers against the OKC Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the visiting team to an impressive 118-110 on the road. Okahoma's win improved their win-loss slate to 42-18 and moved it past the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the Western Conference.
OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns game player stats and box scores
OKC Thunder game player stats
Phoenix Suns game player stats
Kevin Durant vs Chet Holmgren had a couple of entertaining one-one-one battles
The battle between Kevin Durant and Chet Holmgren was a sub-heading leading into the OKC Thunder versus Phoenix Suns game.
Durant was going to take on one of the NBA's best defenders. Although the Thunder assigned Lu Dort to shadow KD most of the night, Holmgren also found himself defending the former MVP.
Durant and Holmgren had moments over the other. KD ended with 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Durant went 2-for-4 on 3-pointers on Sunday night.
The former Gonzaga standout tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Holmgren finished 0-for-1 on 3-pointers.
