Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 and Thunder outlast Suns 131-122 to cap a
4-game sweep
[April 28, 2026]
By DAVID BRANDT
PHOENIX (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31
points, Chet Holmgren added 24 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the
Phoenix Suns 131-122 on Monday night, capping a four-game sweep in the
first-round series.
The Thunder — who have a 12-0 record in the first round
over the last three seasons — will face the winner of the Los Angeles
Lakers-Houston Rockets series in the Western Conference semifinals. The
Lakers have a 3-1 lead, though the Rockets won Game 4. |
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoot a
3-pointer against Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during the
first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series,
Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) |
|
Phoenix has a 10-game losing streak in the playoffs, dating to
2023.
The Thunder closed the series with an overwhelming offensive
performance — making 17 of 34 (50%) 3-pointers — and their big
men played particularly well. The 7-foot-1 Holmgren shot 9 of 16
from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds, while the 7-foot Isaiah
Hartenstein added 18 points and 12 rebounds, including seven on
the offensive end.
Ajay Mitchell added 22 points and made four 3-pointers. Alex
Caruso finished with 14 points and hit three 3-pointers in the
first quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander was reliable as usual. Two days after scoring
42 points in Game 3, he had another efficient performance,
shooting 10 of 17 from the field.
The Suns showed some fight in the second half, cutting a
15-point deficit to 106-98 entering the fourth. Devin Booker
scored 12 points in the third quarter on 5-of-8 shooting.
But every time the Suns got within a few possessions, the
Thunder responded. Cason Wallace hit a corner 3 with 5:54 left
to extend the Oklahoma City lead to 120-106. Gilgeous-Alexander
followed with a spectacular layup, somehow getting the shot to
fall over three defenders.
Booker led the Suns with 24 points while Dillon Brooks and Jalen
Green added 23. Collin Gillespie added 20 points while making
six 3-pointers.
The Thunder pushed to a 75-67 lead by halftime after shooting
61.4% from the floor and 60% from 3-point range, hitting 12 of
20 behind the arc. Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 before the break,
making a wide-open 3-pointer just before halftime.
That offset a hot shooting start for the Suns, who made 11 of 20
3-pointers. Gillespie scored 17 before the break, making all six
of his shots, including five 3s.
The Thunder were without starter Jalen Williams, who missed his
second straight game because of a left hamstring strain. Suns
center Mark Williams (foot) and guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) were
also out.
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