Thunder Fall Short Against Suns, Lose 128-118

The Thunder couldn't slow down the Suns as they lose 128-118.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder have the Play-In Tournament in their hands, they took on the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns came into this game healthy, and Kevin Durant played in his second game in Oklahoma City since leaving in 2016. He played a key role in the Suns taking the game from the Thunder in an 128-118 game. 

The Thunder jumped off to a quick 9-2 start to the game, but the very capable Suns quickly bounced back.

The two teams then exchanged blows, and eventually the two teams were squared off at the end of the first quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander racked up eight first quarter points.

To start off the second quarter, the Suns looked more engaged. They slowly began to build their lead. Their offense continued and the Suns expanded on their lead that they had built.

The Suns outscored the Thunder 42-26 in the second quarter. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant combined for 28 first-half points for the Suns on 13-of-16 shooting. The Thunder trailed 69-55 at halftime.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 16 points at halftime, but it wasn’t enough as the Thunder were unable to guard the Suns.

The Thunder began to turn things around in the third quarter. They won the third frame 34-29. Gilgeous-Alexander got up to 33 points through the three quarters.

The fourth quarter sang the same tune. It was close, but the Thunder kept this game within arms reach headed into the clutch time. The Suns, with their experience and size, shut the Thunder down after they cut the game to just three points.

 The Suns rattled off five quick points to extend their lead in clutch time. Durant, in specific, was killing the Thunder. He was poised and knocking down timely shots.

As clutch time continued, the Thunder were unable to bring together big buckets. The Suns showed their poise as they built on their lead and closed the game out before the Thunder failed to complete their comeback. 

None other than Chris Paul, former Thunder, iced the game with around a minute to go with a huge 3-pointer, helping the Suns finish the game in their 128-118 win. 

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 39 points on 11-of-22 shooting, adding three rebounds and four assists. 

Durant torched the Thunder, scoring 35 points on 13-of-21 shooting. His second game in Oklahoma City since leaving, and he made a statement with the win. He and Booker combined for 57 points on the game.

The Thunder lucked out as the the Dallas Mavericks dropped yet another game. Oklahoma City is now 38-41 on the season.  

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