Who: Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 12:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, OK
Watch: ABC
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are officially in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. They clawed their way through the Play-In Tournament to secure the 8th seed, and their reward is a date with the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC finished the season with the best record in the Western Conference and a terrifying +11.1 net rating.
The Thunder have been patiently waiting for their opponent,
with their last game coming exactly a week ago against this same Suns team.
For Phoenix, this is about proving that their veteran experience, chaos, and high-end scoring can disrupt the rhythm of the league’s most efficient young core. We’re playing with house money here.
OKC won the season series 3-2. There were a few thrillers and a couple of blowouts. But ultimately, it’s all meaningless, as the new season begins. The postseason.
- Nov 28 (NBA Cup): OKC 123, PHX 119
- Dec 10 (NBA Cup): OKC 138, PHX 89
- Jan 4: PHX 108, OKC 105
- Feb 11: OKC 136, PHX 109
- April 12: PHX 135, OKC 103
This iconic shot on January 4th was an unforgettable moment.
Probable Starters
Suns
- Oso Ighodaro
- Dillon Brooks
- Jordan Goodwin
- Devin Booker
- Jalen Green
Thunder
- Isaiah Hartenstein
- Chet Holmgren
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Injury Report
Suns
- Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Left Hamstring Soreness)
- Mark Williams — QUESTIONABLE (Left Foot Soreness)
Thunder
- Thomas Sorber — OUT (ACL)
What to Watch For
It starts with the stars. This series features two of the premier guards in the world, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Devin Booker. They each have a sidekick named Jalen who can take over at any time as well.
Devin Booker (PHX): 26.1 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.9 RPG. Booker has been the engine for Phoenix all season, carrying the load through various rotations. During the Play-In games, it was a different story as Jalen Green led the way.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 31.1 PPG, 6.6 APG, 4.3 RPG. SGA missed the final two games of the regular season with an oblique injury but has been cleared for Game 1. Likely just maintenance for the playoffs, same with Booker.
Devin Booker will need to elevate his game to superstar status in order for them to have any realistic shot at taking this Thunder team down. Can he match Shai shot-for-shot? If he plays anything as he has in the last two, the odds aren’t great. We need a vintage Book desperately.
Key to a Suns Win
Control your emotions, first and foremost. Don’t let the refs get in your head. When that happens, the Suns get out of whack, and it disrupts the game flow.
Control the Paint and the Glass
OKC lacks traditional bulk, but they have Chet Holmgren (1.9 BPG, 8.9 RPG). Phoenix needs Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro to capitalize on their size. The Suns cannot allow second-chance points to a team that already shoots nearly 50% from the floor. Mark Williams’ absence will be felt if he is unable to go. Hartenstein and Chet will likely feast inside if the Suns are going with a constant small(er) lineup out there.
Size and athleticism will be massive factors this entire series. OKC has the depth to wear the Suns (and any team for that matter) down over the course of a 7-game series. That is why they are the favorites, after all.
Limit the Turnovers
The Thunder lead the league in points off turnovers. Both teams rank in the top 5 in the league in steals per game, with OKC averaging 9.7 (3rd) and Phoenix averaging 9.5 (4th). Oklahoma City takes care of the ball better than most, ranking second in the league in turnovers per game at just 12.6 compared to Phoenix’s 14.5 (t-15th).
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace (1.9 SPG) prowling the passing lanes, the Suns’ backcourt of Booker and Jalen Green must be meticulous. They will face waves of pressure and physicality from the Thunder defense all game long.
Phoenix averaged 13.5 turnovers per game this season; that number needs to stay under 10 for them to steal Game 1.
The Bench “X-Factor”
In the Suns’ recent Play-In loss to the Blazers, the bench size was underutilized. Against a long OKC team, expect Jordan Ott to look toward Ryan Dunn, and possibly Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach to provide athletic resistance against OKC’s drives.
Jordan Goodwin has been a blessing for this Suns team. They’re going to need plenty more havoc from him as he will likely be tasked with tracking SGA all series long. Royce O’Neale needs to knock down shots. Ryan Dunn must defend and make plays. Collin Gillespie needs to shoot with confidence. It will take everyone.
Will we get another Jalen Green game? He is coming off consecutive strong showings with his back against the wall. If the Suns have any shot at upsetting OKC, Jalen Green will play a huge part in it.
Prediction
It’s going to be a dogfight. The oddsmakers aren’t giving the Suns much of a chance, but 14 points is a massive spread for a playoff opener. Phoenix has enough firepower to keep this close if they can slow the pace and knock down shots. However, OKC’s home-court advantage and depth will be too much to overcome. I hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see it today.
Suns 106, Thunder 114
