Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated a remarkable performance with 35 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 118-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, reclaiming the top spot in the Western Conference standings.
This victory came after the Thunder weathered a formidable challenge, bouncing back resiliently from squandering a commanding 24-point lead.
Jusuf Nurkic etched his name into the annals of NBA history by shattering the Phoenix Suns’ franchise rebounding record with an astounding 31 boards, marking the most rebounds in a game in 14 years. Despite his monumental effort, Nurkic’s performance was marred by the Suns’ 21 turnovers, with the absence of star guard Devin Booker due to a sprained ankle further complicating matters for Phoenix.
The Thunder’s triumph propelled them to a Western Conference-leading record of 42-18, edging out divisional rivals Denver and Minnesota by a slim margin. With an impressive streak of six consecutive victories prior to their setback against San Antonio, the Thunder exhibited unwavering resolve to stave off a relentless Suns surge.
Coach Mark Daigneault commended his team’s resilience in the face of adversity, particularly highlighting their ability to regroup and mount a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter. Notably, all five Oklahoma City starters made significant contributions, with Jalen Williams notching 22 points, Chet Holmgren adding 14, Luguentz Dort scoring 13, and Josh Giddey chipping in with 10 points alongside Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance.
Despite Nurkic’s historic feat, his individual brilliance was overshadowed by the Suns’ defeat. Bradley Beal led the charge for Phoenix with 31 points, while Kevin Durant contributed 20 points, albeit marred by five turnovers. Eric Gordon, returning from injury, added 15 points to the Suns’ effort.
Phoenix coach Frank Vogel remained hopeful about Booker’s recovery from his ankle injury, emphasizing the need for patience and careful evaluation. Initially, the Suns appeared unfazed by Booker’s absence, sprinting to an early lead before the Thunder seized control with a dominant first-quarter performance.
Gilgeous-Alexander continued his scoring spree, amassing 18 points in the first half to propel the Thunder to a commanding 66-52 lead at halftime. Despite the Suns’ valiant comeback bid, spurred by a 39-8 scoring run, the Thunder’s stars maintained their composure to secure a hard-fought victory.
In the aftermath of the thrilling contest, Gilgeous-Alexander underscored the importance of maintaining a level-headed approach, emphasizing the need to focus on each possession and weather the ebbs and flows of the game. As the Thunder relish their triumph, their unwavering resolve and steadfast mentality serve as pillars of their championship aspirations in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.