Key Takeaways:
- Jalen Williams tallied 28 points as the Thunder secured a 136-109 victory over the Suns
- Oklahoma City maintained a lead of at least 20 points throughout the entire second half, ultimately extending their advantage to 37 in the third quarter
- The Suns, despite a heavy defeat, head into the All-Star break with a 32-23 record following significant roster changes
Thunder’s High-Powered Offence Surges Past Phoenix
Oklahoma City Thunder displayed their offensive firepower on Wednesday night in Phoenix, notching a 136-109 win over the Suns. Jalen Williams spearheaded the charge with 28 points, converting 11 of his 12 shots while also contributing five assists and four rebounds. Isaiah Joe emerged as a key presence off the bench, recording 21 points and hitting 6 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc.
| Player | Team | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Williams | Thunder | 28 | 5 | 4 |
| Isaiah Joe | Thunder | 21 | 1 | 1 |
| Kenrich Williams | Thunder | 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | 13 | 2 | 4 |
| Dillon Brooks | Suns | 23 | 4 | 5 |
| Royce O’Neale | Suns | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| Jordan Goodwin | Suns | 12 | 4 | 4 |
Game Flow and Key Statistics
The Thunder established an early dominance, reaching a 75-52 advantage by half-time, thanks largely to their 61.1% shooting (11 of 18) from three-point range before the interval. Isaiah Joe led the team’s scoring at the break with 15 points as a substitute, while Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with 14.
Oklahoma City’s bench unit contributed 74 points, highlighting the squad’s depth. Overall, the visitors converted 58.4% of their field goal attempts and maintained a lead of at least 20 points for the entire second half, with the margin ballooning to 37 in the third period.
Player Absences and Team Records
Both sides were without key players for this encounter. The Suns missed guards Devin Booker (ankle), Jalen Green (hamstring), and Grayson Allen (knee). Booker and Green had only just returned from injuries to feature against the Mavericks on Tuesday, but head coach Jordan Ott opted not to risk them again in consecutive nights.
Meanwhile, Thunder were lacking the services of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell, as both guards sidelined with abdominal strains. Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence marked his fourth consecutive missed game; he currently stands second in the league in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game.
Looking Ahead
Following this impressive performance, Oklahoma City now sit atop the NBA standings with a 42-13 record. The Thunder will host Milwaukee on Thursday night. Despite this heavy setback, Phoenix move into the All-Star break holding a 32-23 record, defying expectations after the departure of 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Rockets in the off-season. Next, the Suns are on the road to face San Antonio on Thursday, 19 February.
