Who: Phoenix Suns (44-37) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (64-17)
When: 5:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are looking to win their final game of the season, taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the team locked into the seventh seed, there is not much to play for, but the fans should expect the young guys to get some burn. Heading into this one, the Suns and Thunder look to play for the fifth
time this season, with OKC leading the season series 3-1.
The Thunder have the first place locked up and do not need to injure any players, so they are taking the night off as well. This is sadly what comes at the end of a long season, but what could you do? This matchup though, could not be the last we see this year, as the Suns still have the Play-In to go.
If they were to lose their 7 vs. 8 seed matchup on Tuesday, they would be slated to face OKC in the first round of the playoffs. Now that is something no one is wishing for, but very well could be the outcome the Suns draw.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Collin Gillespie (right shoulder contusion) — QUESTIONABLE
- Jordan Goodwin (left ankle sprain) — QUESTIONABLE
- Jalen Green (right knee soreness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury management) — QUESTIONABLE
- Mark Williams (left foot injury management) — QUESTIONABLE
- Grayson Allen (left hamstring soreness) — OUT
- Devin Booker (right ankle injury management) — OUT
- Dillon Brooks (left 2nd metacarpal injury management) — OUT
- Royce O’Neale (left knee injury management) — OUT
Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (oblique injury management) — OUT
- Chet Holmgren (back spasms) — OUT
- Jalen Williams (hamstring injury management) — OUT
- Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus injury management) — OUT
- Cason Wallace (toe soreness) — OUT
- Ajay Mitchell (ankle injury management) — OUT
- Alex Caruso (rest) — OUT
- Isaiah Joe (knee soreness) — OUT
- Jaylin Williams (Achilles tendinitis) — OUT
- Thomas Sorber (torn ACL) — OUT
What to Watch For
The young guys and how they look are the main takeaways from this one. With the Suns set in stone as the seventh seed, there is no need for them to try to force a win for no reason. It would be nice to win against OKC, but that isn’t the goal here. It is to set the tone and get ready for the play-in on Tuesday.
Therefore, let the leash loose on guys like Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming to thrive in a game that matters nothing. See what these guys can do in a game where they are the primary options and get the hype surrounding them for the future. Buy these fans into the players they expect to see for the future.
Key to a Suns Win
The way for the Suns to take this one is to continue shooting great from three-point land. It has been evident all season long that if the Suns’ three-point shot does not show up, it is an uphill battle for them offensively. To make sure they can get off to the right start, they need guys like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin to deliver from behind the arc. Especially Goodwin, who had a career-high in threes when the Suns beat the Thunder for the only time this season.
With the Thunder having ten players out as well, the depth of this team needs to show that they are worthy of staying in Phoenix beyond this season. A player like Jamaree Bpuyea should take this advantage to shine in a game where the ball is mainly in his hands. The two-way players, such as C.J. Huntley and Koby Brea, should get some run, allowing Brea to let loose from three, which could help the Suns match OKC.
Prediction Time
The Suns win their final game for the fans.
Suns 108, Thunder 100
