Three Takeaways from Oklahoma City's 25-Point Trouncing of Phoenix

The Thunder did their job and did it well on Friday evening, defeating the Suns for the third and final time this season.

Mar 29, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder was able to take down the Pheonix Suns for the third time this season on Friday night, 128-103, sweeping the season series. They did this without superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now missed two games due to a quad issue.

This brings the Thunder to 51 wins and just 22 losses on the year, now positioned in a first-place tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Denver Nuggets right on their tail in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City had thorougly taken the Suns out in each of their three meetings this season, winning by a combined differential of +45 in the series. A potential first-round matchup, the Thunder would be more than appreciative to be introduced into the playoffs against a team like the Suns.

Even with all of their starpower, Oklahoma City has their number – and they'd seemingly be put in a rougher situation versus the Los Angeles Lakers or the Dallas Mavericks.

Here, let's take a look at a few takeaways from the Thunder's Friday night win:

Chet Recoups

Chet Holmgren was able to shake off a rusty performance from the game prior and come out with a much better performance on Friday.

Against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday who competed without Alperen Sengun, Holmgren put up a dud of a game, putting up just two points on 0-of-2 shooting and five turnovers, though he did garner five rejections.

He'd answer versus the Suns though, dropping 20 points, six boards, a couple assists and a block to help in the Thunder win. They'll need to see consistent showings like these from Holmgren into the playoffs, and certainly not any outings close to the one he had versus Houston.

Wiggins Excels in First Start of the Season

In the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Wiggins was able to secure his first start of the season.

Typically, Cason Wallace had seen the spot starter role for the majority of the season, but head coach Mark Daigneault discussed the ability to be able to stagger his primary point-of-attack defenders in Wallace and Lu Dort – ultimately wanting to have Dort in the starting rotation with Wallace as a reserve.

This opened up the opportunity for Wiggins, who didn't fall flat.

The third-year guard generated 15 points and three threes on 75.0% shooting, also adding four boards and two assists in 26 minutes. This marked his second consecutive outing of shooting 75% or better with 15 or more points, as he did so against Houston with 16 points on 77.8% from the field.

Wallace, Joe Continue to Bring Steady Two-Way Punch off the Bench

Wallace and Isaiah Joe are two young heavy hitters who continue to bring a strong dynamic off the bench. Wallace as a lockdown perimeter and point-of-attack defender, as well as a sutiable offensive contributor as a rim runner and 3-point shooter, and Joe as an outside sniper and shot creator offensively.

Against Pheonix, the pair combined for 30 points and eight threes off the bench, with Wallace making all of his four tries and Joe missing just three.

These two will be massive in the playoffs, as both Wallace and Joe are sure to be in the mix of the shored up lineups from Daigneault in the postseason.

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