Now that we’ve got the first two games over with in Oklahoma City, the series is heading to the desert.
It’s been a rough couple of games, with OKC dominating for just about every quarter, winning 7 of the 8 quarters thus far in convincing fashion. Phoenix made it a little interesting briefly towards the end of the game, but every time they threw a punch, the Thunder responded immediately.
Here are five storylines that will determine if we’re actually in a series or just waiting for the sweep.
1. The Jalen Williams “Hamstring” Factor
The biggest
break the Suns have received wasn’t a tactical adjustment; it was a physical casualty. Phoenix has been without Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Jordan Goodwin, so the Thunder aren’t the only team dealing with it.
Jalen Williams, who was carving us up for 19 points in just 23 minutes, went down with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 2. He is officially week-to-week, which likely sidelines him for Games 3 and 4 at the very least. Williams was the secondary connector for OKC, averaging 20.5 points on 61.5% shooting through the first two games. Without his verticality and secondary playmaking, the Suns’ defense might finally find some breathing room.
It also allows Phoenix to defend Shai more aggressively, but make no mistake… OKC’s depth behind Williams at his position can shoot the rock. We still need to be hyper-aware of the floor spacers.
2. Booker vs. The Zebras
Devin Booker didn’t mince words when discussing the officiating postgame. After a bizarre technical foul and an offensive foul call that went unpunished on the other end for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (among several other things), Book compared the league’s officiating to the “WWE”.
Booker is averaging 22.5 points (lowest of his playoff career) this series on 48% shooting, and is clearly frustrated by the lack of “respect” as far as the whistles go, and I can’t blame him.
The fine was expected. I’m more interested in watching how the whistle treats him in Game 3. If he spends more time talking to the refs than attacking the paint, we’re cooked. I’m all for him speaking up, but the team needs to eliminate that distraction once they are on the court.
Will the refs provide some “make-up” calls on our home floor? It would be nice to have both teams be allowed to play a physical brand of basketball. Just call it both ways. That’s all we’re asking for!
3. The “Iso-Ball” Dilemma
Dillon Brooks was the only Sun who decided to fight back offensively in Game 2, exploding for 30 points on a variety of tough looks.
Coach Jordan Ott and Booker both emphasized moving away from isolation plays after the Game 1 blowout. While it makes sense in theory, the Thunder have a way of defending in a half-court setting that makes it easy to fall into those lapses due to the constant pressure, blitzes, and deflections. It makes moving the ball a challenge, which is why the Suns must capitalize on any transition opportunities they get and look to push the ball early and often. Once OKC’s defense is set, it’s a challenge to score.
When Brooks starts hunting his own shot, the ball stops moving. We need his 30-point ceiling, but we can’t afford the offensive stagnation that comes with it if the shots stop falling.
4. Size, Length, and the Rebounding Gap
We are consistently getting dismantled on the glass. The Thunder are longer and more “twitchy” at almost every position. They are essentially a bigger, more athletic version of us.
- Game 1: A 35-point loss where we looked like we were playing a different sport.
- Game 2: We showed more “sicko” energy, but the second-chance points remained a death sentence.
- Game 3: TBD
If we don’t utilize Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro to bridge the athleticism gap, Chet Holmgren is going to keep treating the paint like his private playground. And yes, I will still die on the hill that Rasheer Fleming needs to be involved. Not even a brief look? What are we doing here?!
5. Protecting the Home Floor Identity
Heading back to the Valley is about more than just crowd noise. It’s about protecting your home floor and showing some pride. Role players play better at home in these environments. Crowd pops and momentum shifts can change games. It could be the fuel they need to make things interesting.
They HAVE to take care of the ball. Booker and Green combined for 12 turnovers to 7 assists, and each labored for inefficient 20-point games. Green more so than Book, who shot 50%, but the turnovers were killer.
The easiest way to lose on your home floor is by making mistakes that you can control. If Phoenix plays smart and hard, they have a chance. If they play carelessly, it will get ugly again, fast.
Closing Thought
The Suns need to stop looking for whistles and start looking for contact. With Jalen Williams out, the door is cracked open. Game 3 on Saturday is the season. Either we find a way to make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s life miserable, or we can start booking flights to Cabo.
Just win.
