Thunder advance to second round of 2026 NBA Playoffs after holding off Suns’ rally to win Game 4, completing the sweep [VIDEO]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Oklahoma City shot 50 percent from three to complete the first-round series.

The Oklahoma City Thunder finished off the Phoenix Suns last night (April 27), winning Game 4 by a score of 131-122 at the Footprint Center. The victory completed a 4-0 series sweep and sent the defending NBA champions to the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder entered the game as the top seed in the West with a 64-18 regular-season record. The Suns, the eighth seed, saw their season end after a 45-37 regular-season campaign.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points on 10-of-17 shooting, adding 8 assists. Chet Holmgren recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell scored 22 points off the bench, making 4-of-6 from three-point range. The Thunder shot 50 percent from three as a team (17-of-34) and 53.7 percent from the field.

The Suns were eliminated despite a late rally in the fourth quarter.

Efficient First Half Builds Insurmountable Lead for OKC vs. Suns

The Thunder scored 75 points in the first half on 61.4 percent shooting, including 12-of-20 from three-point range. A 27-12 run over the final portion of the second quarter stretched the lead to eight points at halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 points before the break, including a wide‑open three just before the buzzer.

Oklahoma City’s ball movement and shooting consistency overwhelmed a Suns defense that had ranked in the top 10 during the regular season. The Thunder scored 33 points on 19 possessions in the first quarter and continued their efficiency into the second. Phoenix struggled to contain Gilgeous-Alexander’s drives and Holmgren’s rim presence.

The Suns cut the deficit to eight points entering the fourth quarter but could not get closer. The Thunder’s lead never dropped below double digits in the final period. Cason Wallace hit a corner three with 5:54 remaining to push the advantage to 120-106, and Gilgeous-Alexander followed with a layup over three defenders.

SGA and Holmgren Dominate Both Ends in Closeout Game

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 31 points, 8 assists, and 2 rebounds in 38 minutes. He made 9-of-11 free throws and added a block. His scoring came from driving layups, step‑back jumpers, and transition finishes. He sat for portions of the game, but the Thunder continued to score efficiently without him.

Holmgren posted 24 points and 12 rebounds, including 2 offensive boards. He shot 9-of-16 from the field and 2-of-5 from three. His 26‑foot three-pointer highlighted an interior game that included dunks, layups, and alley‑oops. Holmgren also recorded 3 assists and 2 steals.

Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, with 7 offensive boards. He made 8-of-9 free throws and threw down a late slam that sealed the victory. The Thunder outrebounded the Suns 39-33 and held a 13-10 advantage on the offensive glass. Their effective field-goal percentage during Gilgeous-Alexander’s bench minutes reached 76 percent.

Suns Fight but Cannot Overcome Defensive Deficits

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 points and 6 assists but committed 6 turnovers. He scored 12 points in the third quarter on 5-of-8 shooting but struggled early, managing only 2 points and 5 turnovers in the first half. Dillon Brooks added 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting, and Jalen Green scored 23 despite shooting 1-of-10 from three.

Collin Gillespie provided a spark with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three. He had 17 points before halftime on 6-of-6 shooting, all from beyond the arc. Grayson Allen added 12 points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting. Royce O’Neale grabbed 7 rebounds.

The Suns shot 53.3 percent from the field but only 35.9 percent from three. They were outscored from the free-throw line, where the Thunder made 26-of-30 attempts. Phoenix finished the season with an improved defense under first-year coach Jordan Ott, allowing 4.8 fewer points per 100 possessions than the previous year, but could not contain Oklahoma City’s balanced attack.

Thunder Depth Shines With Mitchell, Caruso Contributions

Ajay Mitchell played 34 minutes and scored 22 points, making 4-of-6 from three and all 4 of his free throws. He ran pick-and-roll actions with Holmgren and provided scoring when Gilgeous-Alexander rested. Mitchell also added 6 assists and 4 rebounds.

Alex Caruso scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three. He contributed three three-pointers in the first quarter alone. Cason Wallace added 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, hitting a corner three late in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 14 points.

The Thunder bench scored 45 points. Oklahoma City recorded 31 points on 19 possessions while Gilgeous-Alexander was on the bench, shooting 11-of-17 from the field and 4-of-6 from three during those segments. The depth has been a key factor throughout the series, allowing the Thunder to maintain offensive efficiency even when their star guard rested.

Social Media Reacts to the Sweep and Suns’ Early Exit

Posts on X following the game focused on Oklahoma City’s dominance and Phoenix’s early elimination. One user wrote, “Thunder look unbeatable right now.” Another commented, “Suns had no answer for Gilgeous-Alexander all series.” Several replies noted the absence of Jalen Williams, who missed Games 3 and 4 with a hamstring strain, and Mark Williams, who was out for the Suns due to injury.

Some users criticized Phoenix’s defense, with one stating, “Gave up 75 in the first half. Can’t win like that.” Others praised the Thunder’s three-point shooting, writing, “50 percent from deep is ridiculous.” The sweep marked the Suns’ first first-round exit since 2020 and the Thunder’s third consecutive trip to the Western Conference semifinals.

The conversation also touched on the Thunder’s status as defending champions. One user posted, “They’re playing like they want to repeat.” Another wrote, “OKC vs the West is going to be a problem.” No major controversies or disputes emerged in the immediate reaction. The consensus was that the Thunder executed their game plan and the Suns had no counter.

Conclusion

Oklahoma City swept Phoenix in four games. The final margin was 131-122. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31. Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds. The Thunder shot 50 percent from three and 53.7 percent from the field.

They outrebounded the Suns and controlled the game from the first quarter.

Phoenix improved defensively from last season but could not slow down the defending champions. The Thunder now wait for their opponent in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Suns go home.