The Phoenix Suns (9-4), without both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal for the second consecutive game, fell 99-83 at the Oklahoma City Thunder (11-2).
OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 28 points, six rebounds, four assists, and a block.
Devin Booker struggled for Phoenix, scoring 12 points on a meager 20% shooting in the Suns’ first loss in the NBA Cup’s Western Conference Group B play. Josh Okogie led the Suns with 15 points, and Royce O’Neale had 11 off the bench.
Phoenix trailed by double digits for most of the game beginning early in the first quarter and never gained ground. The Thunder’s largest lead was 25 in the fourth quarter.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer conceded the loss when he pulled out his starters for good at 5:11 left to play. They shot just 29.3% to the Thunder’s 39.6%.
The Suns play the final of their four-game road trip at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at 1:30 p.m
Check azcentral for scores, highlights, and statistics during the Suns-Thunder game.
Suns’ deficit grows in 3rd quarter
Phoenix is still out of sync, down 83-60 entering the final quarter.
Booker (six points) made his first field goal on a driving layup at 9:16, and is shooting a meager 2-of-10. The Suns’ leading scorers are Josh Okogie and Royce O’Neale with 12 and 11 points.
The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 15 of his 24 points in the third quarter to lead all scorers. He increased the game’s largest margin to 24 on a bucket in the restricted area approaching the one-minute mark. They’ve dominated the Suns in the paint, 34-18, and have 10 blocks to the Suns’ three.
Booker, Suns shooting struggles continue in 2nd quarter
Josh Okogie has the Suns’ high of 12 points, but they continued to collectively struggle in the second quarter, down 48-36 at the half to the Thunder.
They’re shooting just 26.8% overall, and their biggest deficit was 18 on a trey by Aaron Wiggins (seven points) around the six-minute mark.
Booker remains scoreless (0-for-6 FG, three rebounds, three assists, one block). He didn’t get a shot attempt in the second period, and his frustration seemed to mount. He was substituted after getting an offensive foul call after he shoved Lu Dort, who face-guarded him out of bounds during an ATO play at 4:52 left. Dort had his hands on his chest playing him tight, and their arms got tangled.
Phoenix began to turn things around late in the second quarter as they went on an 11-5 run.
Starting lineups
The Suns’ starting five are Tyus Jones, Booker, Josh Okogie, Ryan Dunn, and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle), who has been ruled in.
The Thunder are opening with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Cason Wallace, Lu Dort at the four, and two-guard Isaiah Joe.
Thunder’s Holmgren remains out
Phoenix’s Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Jusuf Nurkic (left ankle sprain) are questionable, and Collin Gillespie (right ankle fracture) is out.
OKC’s top big and rising star Chet Holmgren (right iliac) is out for eight to 10 weeks. The Thunder are also missing their offseason addition Alex Caruso (hip) against the Suns.