OKLAHOMA CITY — Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott didn’t blame the NBA Play-In Tournament for an ugly 119-84 loss April 19 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their first-round series before a sellout crowd of 18,203 at Paycom Center.
“I don't think we're an excuse-making team,” Ott said after the game. “We are excited about the opportunity to play in the playoffs. We’re excited to get this experience. We’re excited to come play the best. That hasn’t changed.”
The Suns can turn to many more reasons they were no match for the defending NBA champions to open their playoff run.
Phoenix yielded 34 points off its 19 turnovers and only scored two points off just eight Oklahoma City turnovers.
Phoenix shot just 34.9% from the field, going 13-of-39 on 3s. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green went a combined 12-of-38 in scoring a combined 35 points.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles down the court as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) defends in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) walks down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives as Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) defends in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) celebrate after a play against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) loses the ball as he falls between Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) and guard Jalen Green (4) in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.1 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsPhoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles down the court as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) defends in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.1 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsPhoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles down the court as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) defends in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.2 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsPhoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) walks down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.3 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsPhoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.4 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives as Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) defends in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.5 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) celebrate after a play against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.6 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsPhoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.7 / 7Phoenix Suns, OKC Thunder face off in first round of NBA playoffsOklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) loses the ball as he falls between Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) and guard Jalen Green (4) in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on April 19, 2026.That’s just scratching the surface as to why the Suns couldn’t keep up with the Thunder.
Game 1 took on similar theme to Phoenix’s two blowout losses to Oklahoma City in the regular season.
The Thunder handed the Suns their worst loss in franchise history, 138-89, Dec. 10 in Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup quarterfinals and pummeled them, 136-109, going into the All-Star break Feb. 11.
Phoenix has two days to make adjustments for Game 2 Wednesday in hopes of making this series competitive.
“Spend these next few days breaking down film to see what we can get better at,” said Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker, who scored a team-high 23 points.
If history means anything, Phoenix knows it can beat Oklahoma City even after a bad loss.
The Suns responded to that 49-point crash-and-burn loss to the Thunder with a 108-105 home victory Jan. 4.
Here are takeaways as the Suns will look to even the best-of-7 series before heading back to Phoenix for Game 3 April 25.
The Suns played their second game in three days after defeating the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament finale April 17, with the second game being an afternoon tip two hours ahead of the Phoenix time zone.
That’s not why the Suns lost, though. Oklahoma City is the better team.
Oklahoma City is the NBA’s best team that matched an NBA record for best start through 25 games at 24-1.
If any team is going to be a repeat champion for the first since 2018, this is the team to do it.
The Thunder should win this series in convincing fashion over a team that needed two games in the play-in just to make the playoffs, but the Suns have an opportunity to use these next two days to do more than watch film in preparation for Game 2.
“Getting our bodies right,” Booker said. “Keeping our mental high. Staying locked in and we have a sample size to go through with film from tonight.”
Now if the Suns rest up, stay upbeat yet focused and make the right adjustments after watching film, they’ll have a chance to pull off the upset in Game 2.