OKLAHOMA CITY — The Phoenix Suns faced a tough challenge in their first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they suffered a 119-84 defeat in Game 1 on April 19 at Paycom Center. Despite the loss, coach Jordan Ott emphasized that his team wasn’t making excuses for their performance.
“I don’t think we’re an excuse-making team,” Ott said after the game. “We are excited about the opportunity to play in the playoffs. We’re excited to get this experience. We’re excited to come play the best. That hasn’t changed.”
The Suns struggled in several areas during the game, which highlighted why they couldn’t keep up with the defending NBA champions. Here’s a breakdown of what went wrong and what needs to change for Game 2:
Key Issues from Game 1
- Turnovers: Phoenix gave up 34 points off 19 turnovers, while only scoring two points off eight Oklahoma City turnovers.
- Interior Defense: The Suns allowed 52 points in the paint.
- Shooting Efficiency: The team shot just 34.9% from the field, including 13-of-39 from three-point range.
- Opponent Performance: Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green combined for 35 points on 12-of-38 shooting.
- Point Differential: The Thunder led by as many as 39 points.
This loss was not an isolated incident, as it followed similar blowout losses to the Thunder during the regular season. The Suns previously lost 138-89 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals and 136-109 before the All-Star break.
Phoenix now has two days to regroup and make adjustments for Game 2 on Wednesday. Here are some key takeaways for the Suns moving forward:
Takeaways from the Loss
- Rest and Recovery: The Suns played their second game in three days after defeating the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament. While that may have contributed to fatigue, the Thunder proved to be the better team overall.
- Team Strength: Oklahoma City is currently the NBA’s best team, having matched an NBA record for the best start through 25 games at 24-1.
- Mental Focus: Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker emphasized the importance of staying focused and using the next few days to analyze film and improve.
Despite the loss, the Suns have shown they can bounce back from poor performances. For example, they defeated the Thunder 108-105 after a 49-point loss earlier in the season.
Game 2 Keys
To improve their chances in Game 2, the Suns must address several key areas:
- Ball Handling: The team turned the ball over too often, with Brooks and Booker each committing four turnovers as primary ball handlers.
- Defensive Strategy: Phoenix must avoid isolation plays and focus on physical defense without fouling excessively.
- Free Throw Efficiency: The Suns shot just 13-of-18 from the free-throw line, while Gilgeous-Alexander made more free throws than the entire team.
- Offensive Rebounding: Oso Ighodaro grabbed seven offensive rebounds, showing the importance of securing possession after missed shots.
- Transition Play: Creating fast breaks will be crucial, as the Suns need to generate offense quickly.
Injury Update
Several key players are dealing with injuries heading into Game 2:
- Jordan Goodwin aggravated his left calf in the first half and didn’t play in the second half. He had been a significant contributor in the play-in tournament and a previous win over the Thunder.
- Mark Williams missed his second straight game due to left foot soreness.
- Grayson Allen was available but did not play again due to a left hamstring strain.
Ott remains optimistic, saying, “All hands on deck,” but the absence of key players could impact the team’s performance.
As the Suns prepare for Game 2, they must focus on rest, mental preparation, and tactical adjustments to compete against a dominant Thunder team. If they can execute these changes, they might have a chance to even the series.
