Story perspectives

Thunder rout Suns 120-107, claim 2-0 lead.

4/24/2026

Summary

Thunder Take Lead

The Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 120-107 on April 23, 2026, taking a 2-0 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points on 13-of-25 shooting and handed out nine assists.
Chet Holmgren added 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as the Thunder surged 35-20 in the third quarter.
Jalen Williams exited in the quarter with a left hamstring strain, prompting Coach Mark Daigneault to say it will be reviewed soon.

Summary

Booker Blasts Referee

NBA officials confirmed a technical foul on Devin Booker and said a fine may be imposed before Game 3.
Suns forward Dillon Brooks said NBA officials should be interviewed after Game 2 and argued the referees favored Oklahoma City, citing his offensive-foul call versus no penalty for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Devin Booker called referee James Williams terrible, demanded an explanation, and said he was wrongly charged with an offensive foul on Caruso.

History

Historical Context

The 1984 NBA Finals showcased a fierce rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, culminating in a controversial Game 5 where the Celtics won 111-102 amid disputed officiating. This incident reflects ongoing concerns about referee accountability in the league, paralleling current tensions between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, as officiating decisions continue to shape team dynamics and playoff strategies.

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Thunder Take Lead

The Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 120-107 on April 23, 2026, taking a 2-0 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points on 13-of-25 shooting and handed out nine assists.
Chet Holmgren added 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as the Thunder surged 35-20 in the third quarter.
Jalen Williams exited in the quarter with a left hamstring strain, prompting Coach Mark Daigneault to say it will be reviewed soon.

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