The Thunder advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals with a 49-point demolition of the Suns, moving to 24–1 on the season. Through 25 games, Oklahoma City has broken several historical records:
- Best start of any NBA season (tied with the Warriors’ start to their 73-win campaign)
- Best start in franchise history
- Longest winning streak in franchise history (16 games and counting)
Not to mention the finer achievements and achievements that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company achieve while embarrassing their competition.
We’re told the Suns are one of the league’s scrappy, tough teams, finding new or reimagined ways to control possessions and compete better than the sum of their parts would suggest. They lost by just 4 points in Jalen Williams’ (more on him later) first game a few weeks ago. And for a brief period in the first half, I thought Phoenix might even hang around without Devin Booker (out with a groin injury) in the lineup. They had enough shots from Jamaree Bouyea and forced a turnover from an aggressive Royce O’Neale to keep the developing blow within 54-42 with 4:15 left in the second quarter.
Things have changed.
OKC hit the Suns with a 20-6 avalanche to end the half and put the game in their back pocket, 74-48. In his first game back, after missing the final three with a right adductor strain, Lu “He’s a MACHINE! DORT” had the honor of breaking Phoenix’s back. He bombed three treys in the final four minutes of the half, the last capped by a beautiful call from Kevin Harlan:
You can guess how the second half went. OKC crushed, building a 50-point lead in the third quarter and holding on to a 49-point final margin. And it wasn’t even that close.
- Shai stayed impossibly hot: 28 points on 11/15, 3-for-4 from deep, 8 assists and a fourth quarter open. Mr. Consistently Ridiculous.
- Ajay Mitchell looks like he belongs with the demon dogs, embracing the call to press, sweep and ruthlessly jump lanes. 9 points, 4 assists, 4 boards, a steal, 2 blocks.
- Cason Wallace checked out early after a serious screen collision and did not return. He was great before that: 9 points on 4-for-5 shooting, 4 steals, 4 boards, 2 assists in 14 minutes. Hopefully the blow played a role in the decision to leave him out.
- Dort says yes studying at Wallace’s feetwho leads the league in steals.
- Dillon Brooks has been on his best offensive life this season, shooting and scoring (21.7 PPG) like he was playing as himself in 2K. Especially when Brooks has been off the floor. But OKC disconnected Brooks’ controller, putting him through hell just to get a shot without Chet Holmgren its disappearance. Brooks went 4-for-16, his worst offensive night all season.
- Holmgren was monstrous again: 24 points on September 13, 4/4 from three, 8 rebounds while roaming the paint again as OKC’s only big (J-Will and Chet didn’t share the court the entire game).
- And Chet’s offensive package is looking increasingly nasty.
- Grayson Allen Grayson Alled waited until his team was down 25 to come down hard. He shoved Chet off a screen, earning him a blatant 2-ejection gives us a new Shai meme.
- Loud City lived up to its name and remained raw, even though the game got so far out of hand. If the players remain cooped up at 40, apparently the public will too.
- Blake Griffin works hard to hone his broadcasting skills, and he has always been a very likable personality. I’m on board.
One key takeaway: JDub is back
Jalen Williams hasn’t had many standout games in the six games played since returning from his offseason wrist surgery. Not this one either: 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 0 fourth quarter plays. But he has stabilized the team on both ends alongside SGA, wiping out those rare, vulnerable moments that have occasionally prevented double-digit leads and results for OKC. And since Isaiah Hartenstein’s absence coincided with JDub’s return, the more undersized, frenzied version of OKC’s hyperactive defense has also been on display again.
The Thunder have been better on both ends with JDub, with a +25.2 NRTG in his minutes thus far. When his shot starts to fall further (he’s only 28.6% from deep), watch out.
Next up
OKC hosts San Antonio on Saturday for what, maybe, possibly, Finally start a challenging stretch for the Thunder. If OKC advances, they will face the Knicks or Pistons for the finals. And after that, 7 of their next 10 opponents have winning records. Whether Victor Wembanyama will be back for three (!) Spurs matchups over the next two weeks is still unknown, but I hope we see more epic performances against some real foes soon.
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