Full Breakdown
Oklahoma City Thunder Sweep Phoenix Suns, Advance to Western Semifinals
4/29/2026, 3:51:29 AM
First-Round Sweep Secures Thunder’s Third Straight Clean-Sweep
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 131–122 in Game 4, completing a 4-0 first-round sweep and extending their first-round unbeaten streak to 12 games under coach Mark Daigneault.
Context and Stakes
Oklahoma City entered as the No. 1 seed after a league-best 64-win season. Phoenix, coached by Jordan Ott, improved to 45-37 after trading Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, hoping to validate their resurgence.
Key Performers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 31 points and eight assists. Chet Holmgren added 24 points, 12 rebounds; Isaiah Hartenstein 18 points, 13 rebounds; Ajay Mitchell 22 points. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 points; Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each had 23.
Statistical Snapshot
Oklahoma City shot 54 % overall and 50 % (17-of-34) from three, with an 87 % free-throw rate. Their effective field-goal percentage was 64 %; without Gilgeous-Alexander it rose to 76 %. Phoenix posted a 56.7 % field-goal rate overall and 59 % in the first half.
Impact and Historical Significance
The sweep makes Oklahoma City the fifth franchise to achieve three straight first-round sweeps, joining the 1980s Lakers, 1990s Bulls and 2010s Cavaliers. The win sets up a Western semifinal against the Lakers–Rockets winner; Phoenix’s loss extends its playoff-loss streak to ten games.
Official Statements
Coach Daigneault praised the Thunder’s “discipline and organization on both sides of the ball” and the “formula” of aggressive, team-first play. Coach Ott called the series “a hell of a battle” with “high-level offense, high-level shot-making.” Booker called Gilgeous-Alexander the league’s MVP and highlighted the Thunder’s chemistry. The Suns said their defensive coverages on Booker were “pretty good.”
Criticism of Suns’ Strategy
Phoenix’s defensive plan locked Booker out of the paint, limiting him to two points and five turnovers early. Injuries to forward Jalen Williams and a thin rotation further hampered the Suns’ offense.
Conflicting Reports
Arizona Sports lists Phoenix’s overall field-goal percentage at 56.7 %, while SI reports a 59 % rate for the first half. Thunder effective field-goal percentages appear as 64 % overall and 76 % without Gilgeous-Alexander, reflecting different calculations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is a really good feeling,” — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC guard
- “He's the MVP of the league, and he's playing the best basketball in the league for the past two years,” — Devin Booker, PHX guard
- “When you play ahead of the defense, you move it early, and guys step into shots with confidence,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, “you give yourself a chance to have a night like tonight.” — Mark Daigneault, OKC head coach
- “Thought it was a hell of a battle.” — Jordan Ott, PHX head coach
What’s Next
The Thunder await the Lakers–Rockets winner in the Western semifinal; ticket sales for the first two home games begin Wednesday, April 29, at 10 a.m. CT.
