The team coached by Mark Daigneault showed no mercy to a Suns team that, despite coming into the series with momentum after winning the Play-In Tournament, was confronted with the reality of facing the title contender. The series concluded last Monday, April 27, with a resounding 131-122 victory at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, a score that reflects the overwhelming offensive superiority of the team from the oil city.
The Perfect Machine: SGA and Collective Support
The team's star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, played in a completely different league than his opponents. The point guard and regular season MVP averaged an absurd 33.8 points per game on 55% shooting from the field. His best performance came in the crucial Game 3 on the road, where he scored 42 points on an incredible 15-for-18 shooting.
However, what's shaking up the league isn't just SGA, but the depth of the roster. Despite losing Jalen Williams to a hamstring injury in Game 2, the team didn't fall apart. Second-year rookie Ajay Mitchell stepped up spectacularly, scoring 22 points in the decisive game to close out the series.
Furthermore, the center duo was relentless. Chet Holmgren (24 points and 12 rebounds) and Isaiah Hartenstein (18 points and 12 rebounds) completely dominated the paint, highlighting Oklahoma City's size advantage.
What's next for the Thunder?
The advantage of closing out the series in four games is twofold for OKC. On the one hand, they have a full week off to recover key players (including Jalen Williams) and observe the rest of the team. On the other hand, they're sending a clear message to their rivals.
As I write this, the Thunder await the winner of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. Given that the Lakers now hold a 3-1 lead, they are the most likely candidates to face the reigning champions in the Western Conference semifinals.
If the regular season is any indication, things are looking very bad for Los Angeles. Oklahoma City swept the Lakers 4-0 in head-to-head matchups during the 2025-26 season, including a 43-point blowout in April. Oklahoma City's defense, which led the league in points per turnover, will exploit the ball-handling problems that LeBron James and company have displayed in these playoffs.
In conclusion: The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't just in the semifinals; they're rested, confident, and seem to be on a mission to repeat as champions.
Credit: I used Google Translate.