Thunder Fall in Phoenix Despite Career Night from Isaiah Joe

Oklahoma City was unable to take down the Suns on Friday night, losing its second game in as many nights since the All-Star Break.

In this season’s first matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, OKC was defeated by the Suns 124-115 on ESPN without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The loss drops the Thunder to 28-31 on the season.

With Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined, third-year guard Isaiah Joe led the way on offense for Oklahoma City, tallying 28 points and seven rebounds. For Phoenix, All-NBA guard Devin Booker finished with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds.  

The Thunder traded blows with the 2021 Western Conference Champions early on, taking an 11-9 lead after a Lu Dort putback basket followed by a strip from the defensive standout on the other end of the floor that would lead to a Josh Giddey transition layup. A gorgeous whip pass from Giddey to rookie wing Jalen Williams a few possessions later resulted in a 13-11 Oklahoma City lead and a Suns timeout.

After an easy offensive rebound and score a few moments later by Josh Okogie, however, Phoenix held a three point lead, the largest lead of either team up to that point. Down 26-22, a long two-pointer from Tre Mann and two finishes inside from Aaron Wiggins shifted the lead back to OKC.  

When the dust settled after an eventful opening frame, the Thunder held a 30-29 lead over the Suns. In his third start of the season, Joe tied Booker for a game-high nine points in the first quarter, going 4-for-6 from the field. 

One of four former Thunder players on the Suns roster, veteran guard Chris Paul knocked down the second period's first field goal to tie the game at 31. Jalen Williams opened the quarter with Oklahoma City's first six points, capped off by a triple that put OKC up 36-35. 

The Suns quickly went on a 6-0 run that would give Pheonix their largest lead of the game. After a triple from the corner by Terrence Ross, the Suns held a nine point advantage with just over seven minutes left in the half. 

Two more 3-pointers from Joe followed by a nice finish and a great pass inside from Giddey cut Phoenix's lead back to three, invoking another timeout from Suns coach Monty Williams. Joe knocked down his fifth triple of the half to tie the game at 60 with less than a minute left in the second quarter. 

At halftime, Phoenix held a 65-60 lead over the Thunder behind 15 points from Okogie. Joe finished the first half with a jaw-dropping 21 points, joined in double figures only by 21-year-old Santa Clara product Jalen Williams. 

Oklahoma City came out of the half swinging, opening the third quarter with an "and-one" dunk followed by a triple from Dort. Joe knocked down another 3-pointer and Giddey connected on a free throw to bring OKC within one early in the third quarter. 

Back-to-back triples from rookie big man Jaylin Williams put the Thunder back on top 78-74 before two quick mid-range shots from Chris Paul and Devin Booker tied the game once again. This kicked off an 11-0 run by the Suns that would result in a timeout from Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault with Oklahoma City tailing 84-78.

OKC's offense went dry in the third quarter, going over five minutes without a made field goal before Joe ended the drought with a mid-range jumper. Back-to-back triples from Mann briefly brought the Thunder within three before a triple from Ross ended the third period with Phoenix ahead, 94-87.

A 3-pointer from former Thunder guard Cam Payne gave the Suns a 12 point lead less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, which would prove to be insurmountable for Oklahoma City who went on to lose 124-115. OKC tried to make a comeback push, embarking on an 11-3 run in the final 10 minutes, but was unable to muster enough offense to overcome Phoenix.  

The Thunder, off on Saturday, return to the Paycom Center for a 6 P.M. meeting with the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Feb. 26.  

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