In a hard‑fought contest on Monday night, the short‑handed Oklahoma City Thunder held off the Phoenix Suns 125‑114. The win kept the Thunder perfect through four games, even though the squad was missing several key starters.
Key performances lift the Thunder
Freshman forward Ajay Mitchell delivered a breakout performance, posting a career‑high 30 points. He stepped in for the injured Jalen Williams and provided an early spark, scoring 18 points in the first half. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander contributed 26 points, anchoring the offense and helping the Thunder maintain a comfortable lead at halftime.
Reserve guard Jared McCain added 18 points, including a decisive three‑pointer that stretched the lead to 89‑72 early in the third quarter. McCain also recorded a double‑double with 10 rebounds, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the floor.
Injury setbacks test depth
The Thunder entered the game without starters Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, both of whom suffered serious injuries in Sunday’s win over the Clippers and will require surgery that could end their seasons. Big man Chet Holmgren missed the contest with patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and reserve guard Alex Caruso left the arena late in the second quarter after spraining his right ankle.
Despite the depleted roster, the Thunder’s bench stepped up. Caruso, who had been logging extended minutes because of the injuries, managed nine points before his exit. The team’s resilience was evident as they built a 67‑53 halftime advantage and never looked back.
Suns struggle to find rhythm
Phoenix’s offense faltered without its star scorer. Devin Booker was limited to three points on 1‑for‑7 shooting, a stark contrast to his usual production. Jalen Green led the Suns with 20 points, while Dillon Brooks added 19 and Miles Bridges contributed 17. The Suns could not close the gap, and their defensive lapses allowed Oklahoma City to pull away in the third quarter.
Looking ahead
Next up, the Suns will host the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, while the Thunder travel to Dallas for a matchup against the Mavericks on Wednesday. Both teams will be looking to address their injury concerns as the season progresses.
Original reporting: KOCO Sports (Oklahoma City) — read the source article.
