Game Summary: Thunderstruck…Suns fall on OKC during shootouts

The Phoenix Suns entered Paycom Center playing their third game in four nights, missing Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen, and ran into a buzzsaw Oklahoma CIty Thunder team, losing 99-83. This is the first time this season that the Suns have lost back-to-back games. Both teams didn’t shoot the ball well, but OKC played its typical defense and smothered the Suns offense.

Coach Bud started Josh Okogie in place of Royce O’Neale and JO turned in a performance early in the game. But OKC’s swarming defense stymied the Suns, holding the Suns to 29.3% shooting from the field and 24.3% from the three-point line. The Thunder had 11 blocks, 6 steals and outscored the Suns in the paint 48-22.

The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 25 points. However, to the Suns’ credit, he took 25 shots to get those 25 points. Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams scored 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Devin Booker went 2-for-10 from the field, scored just 12 points and was a -29 for the game. Josh Okogie was the top scorer with 15 points, but 12 points came in the first half and Royce O’Neale scored 11.

The Suns couldn’t get anything going offensively and were lucky the score was so close, as the Thunder shot just 39.6% from the field and 25.0% from the three-point line.

Game flow

First half

The Suns opened the game with an initial four-point outburst, but only managed 10 points over the remainder of the first quarter. Meanwhile, OKC showed their signature style: strong defense, fluid ball movement and sharp three-point shooting. A decisive 12-0 run by OKC widened the gap and ended the quarter with a commanding 29-14 lead over the Suns.

Tyus Jones and Devin Booker failed to make a shot from the field and were a combined 0 for 10! Tyus was 0 for 5 on three-point shooting. The Suns did not defend the three-point line and were defeated behind the door in the first inning.

Josh Ogokie was the only standout in the first half, scoring 12 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. At one point JO12 had 12 points and the rest of the team had 15!

The Suns managed to outscore OKC 22-19 in the second quarter and went into halftime trailing 48-36. They played better defense and showed some fight in the second quarter.

The Suns missed seven free throws in the first half.

Second half

Five minutes into the third quarter, the Suns trail by 21. Devin Booker scored his first basket three minutes into the third quarter. The Suns’ shooting woes continued.

OKC extends its lead 83-60 late in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns 35-24 in the quarter. The Suns just couldn’t cut the lead before it was time to rumble.

Suns cleared the bench with five minutes to play.

The Suns next play at Minnesota on November 17.