In a remarkable display, Oklahoma City’s fourth-leading scorer has stepped up as a primary option in recent games. Josh Giddey’s 23-point performance propelled the Thunder to a commanding 128-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, despite the absence of All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to a bruised right thigh.
Giddey, typically averaging around 12 points, has seen a significant uptick in production, averaging 26.3 points over his last three games. Against Phoenix, he showcased his versatility, shooting an impressive 10 of 15 from the field while also tallying nine assists and seven rebounds.
His stellar performances are contributing to the Thunder’s strong positioning for the postseason, as they are currently tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the Western Conference. Reflecting on his early struggles in the season, Giddey acknowledged the burden of overthinking his game and the pressure to perform. However, he has since adopted a more confident mindset, capitalizing on opportunities when opponents leave him open.
Giddey’s remarkable efficiency is evident in his 65% field goal shooting during this three-game stretch. Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence, the Thunder demonstrated collective effort on Friday, with contributions from Chet Holmgren, who scored 20 points, and Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, each adding 16 points.
Even without their top scorer, Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 30.4 points per game, the Thunder maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 56.3% and connected on 16 of 30 3-point attempts.
Kevin Durant contributed 26 points for the Suns, yet his return to Oklahoma City remains marred by the lingering resentment from Thunder fans over his departure to the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Despite the passage of time, boos echoed during pregame introductions and intensified whenever he handled the ball throughout the game.
Oklahoma City completed a clean sweep of the season series against the Suns, winning all three encounters, but Durant downplayed its significance, expressing confidence in his team’s abilities against any opponent. While acknowledging the Thunder’s strong performance, Durant praised their style of play.
Bradley Beal and Devin Booker chipped in with 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Suns, who find themselves in a precarious position as they strive to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Currently seventh in the Western Conference standings, just half a game behind the sixth-placed Dallas Mavericks, the Suns are eager to secure a top-six finish to bypass the Play-In.
The Thunder dominated the first half with exceptional shooting, boasting a 62% field goal percentage and a 70-59 lead at halftime. Isaiah Joe’s remarkable performance added 14 points, all scored in the first half, including four successful 3-pointers. The Thunder continued their offensive onslaught in the third quarter, with Aaron Wiggins capitalizing on a steal from Durant to extend their lead to 90-68. By the end of the period, Oklahoma City held a commanding 101-80 advantage.