Top Performers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 39-Point Explosion Not Enough to Overcome the Phoenix Suns

The Thunder stayed within striking distance but could never quite get over the hump in Sunday night's loss.

In an exciting back-and-forth game that came down the wire, Oklahoma City simply ran out of firepower against Phoenix. The Suns star-studded attack picked up a road win 128-118 in Kevin Durant’s return back to OKC.

The Thunder put up a valiant effort, but this felt like a game where — no matter what happened — one team was better than the other. The Thunder would pull within six points, and in the blink of an eye, Phoenix would extend its lead back up to 12. As much as Lu Dort and Jalen Williams fought to contest shots, Durant was simply too good. The former Thunder MVP tallied 35 points on 13-of-21 shooting, fighting through tough defense and getting to his spots all night.

Oklahoma City had chances late in the game, but just missed too many shots. As a team, the Thunder shot just 40.9% from the floor compared to Phoenix’s 56.8%. The Suns displayed elite ball movement, notching 31 assists on 46 made baskets.

Despite the loss, it was an encouraging performance by the Thunder to stay stride-for-stride with a healthy NBA title contender. Here’s who led Oklahoma City’s charge:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Gilgeous-Alexander fought to keep the Thunder in the game down the stretch. Oklahoma City’s star recorded a game-high 39 points in 37 minutes, finding elite efficiency from the floor on 11-of-22 from the floor and 17-of-17 from the free throw line.

SGA continues to score with the NBA’s best scorers, going toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant Sunday evening. The Thunder needed to find a way to get Gilgeous-Alexander more crunch time looks in the fourth quarter, but his third frame flurry is a big reason OKC had a chance at the end. It was just another night at the office for the Thunder’s MVP candidate.

Aaron Wiggins

Like many games this season, Wiggins was Oklahoma City’s spark plug off the bench. The Thunder lacked life and energy on the floor, and Wiggins changed the game immediately.

The Maryland product scored 14 points in 22 minutes, giving OKC a lift offensively. Wiggins was 5-of-8 from the floor and 2-of-3 from the 3-point line, helping the Thunder knock down some big shots late in the game to stay close.

Josh Giddey

Giddey didn’t have an efficient night from the floor. The point guard shot just 5-of-16 and 2-of-7 from 3-point range. The important part, though, is that he found a way to be effective on an off night shooting and controlled the pace offensively.

The 6-foot-8 ball handler nearly triple-doubled, totaling 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 34 minutes of game action. He initiated the offense for the Thunder and moved the ball with pace in the second half.

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