NBA playoffs news: Reigning champions OKC Thunder eye first-round sweep v Phoenix Suns

In line with all the expectations surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder, they have jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns.

The Thunder finished with the best record in the NBA two years in a row, with point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning the 2024/25 season MVP and leading odds to win the award in back-to-back years. 

OKC’s win in Game 2, 107-120, gives them full control of the series as the two sides head to Phoenix for games three and four.

While the win wasn’t quite as convincing as their Game 1 stomping that saw them win by a margin of 35 points, the Suns only held the lead once in the first quarter before the Thunder ran away with the game, writes Sports News Blitz’s Oliver Carter.

Phoenix’s defence problem

While the Suns boast some incredible offensive talent with five-time All-Star Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, the Suns don't have any defensive weapons to stop the across-the-board scoring threat OKC holds.

While Brooks has earned an NBA all-defensive team selection, the Suns have no other players who possess the talent to stop Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams consistently

However, Williams left the game midway through the second quarter after he went down holding his left hamstring.

Williams has struggled with injury all year, missing 49 games of the past season recovering from wrist surgery and an injury to his right hamstring.

The injury to Williams may be some much-needed relief to the Suns’ defence as they look to get the series back on track at home.

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Suns call out officials

The Suns main two scoring options, Booker and Brooks both spoke out against the refereeing in their post game interviews.

Booker said: “It's definitely something that has to be looked into. I heard Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it.

“In my 11 years, I haven't called a ref out by name, but James was terrible tonight, through and through,” he continued.

“Ya’ll should be interviewing the officials,” Brooks elaborated. “That should be a new thing in the NBA.

“Officials got to explain themselves because it’s getting ridiculous when you can see it. It starts getting fiery. No control out there. Now they’re just whistling on one side.”

The Suns were called on 25 fouls, just four more than the Thunder.

Game 1, however, was called in favour of the Suns with Phoenix only called for 18 fouls to OKC’s 22.

Gilgeous-Alexander dispels all doubt

Game 1 saw Gilgeous-Alexander struggle massively from the field as he shot 5-18 and 0-4 from three-point range.

Game two was a return to form for the MVP front-runner as he dominated the game with 37 points, five rebounds and nine assists on commendable 13/25 shooting.

When asked how he was able to bounce back from Game 1, and put his poor shooting behind him, he responded: “Just stay in the moment, be aggressive. Stay in the game most importantly.

“Adrenaline will carry me through no matter what,” he added.

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