Phoenix Suns Show Promise in close Loss to Oklahoma City Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Phoenix Suns demonstratedโ their potential as contenders despite falling โข128-124 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on friday, โฃNovemberโค 29, 2024. While the loss stings, the Suns showcased โคresilience against the league’s top-ranked defense, highlighting areas for growth as they strive for championship contention.
The Thunder’s aggressive defensive style, allowing physicality on drives adn ball-handling, proved a challenge for the Suns. Devin Booker โnoted, “They do speed you up. Theyโฃ play aggressive. They’ll grab, they’ll hold, but it’s never like when you’re in a shooting position. It’s always on โthe handle or on your drives when they get away with it.” This physicality contributed to a high turnover rate for Phoenix, withโฃ Booker committing five and Keita Bates-Diop and Saben Lee each turning the ball over fourโฃ times. Oklahoma city capitalized, scoring four points offโฃ turnovers in the fourth quarter, a margin โคthat ultimately mirrored the final score.
The Suns are โฃaiming to emulate the Thunder’s โdefensive freedom, earned through established defensive prowess. Oklahoma City finished last season with the NBA’s No. 1 defensive rating, allowing them to play a more hands-onโ style without drawing frequent fouls. Phoenix is working towards that level of defensive consistency to gain similar officiating leeway.
Shaiโข Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a dominant performance, scoring โฃ36 pointsโ and drawing 17 free throw attempts, converting 14. โHe extended his streak of consecutive โ20-plus point games, tying Wilt Chamberlain for second all-time. His ability to score, draw fouls, and convert free โthrows remains a key component of Oklahoma City’s success.
The Thunder also saw the return of Jalen Williams,who is recovering โคfromโค a wrist injury,though he was limited to 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting.โข Despite Williams’ struggles, the team’s reliance on Gilgeous-Alexander remains central to theirโค identity.
The Suns will look to build on this competitive showing as the season progresses, focusing on ball security and defensive consistency to reach their championship โaspirations.
