The Phoenix Suns were overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday at the Paycom Center.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have the best shooting night, but he still scored a game-high 25 points and added seven assists. Jalen Williams contributed 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Chet Holmgren had 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Devin Booker led the way for Phoenix, finishing with 23 points and six rebounds in their 119-84 loss. Jalen Green, who was coming off the game of his life against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament, was limited to just 17 points on 16 shots.
Green Calls for Fairness vs. Thunder
GettyJalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a slam dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
SGA went 5-for-18 from the field in Game 1. He did most of his damage by drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. He was 15-for-17, scoring the majority of his points at the charity stripe.
His 17 free throw attempts were just one less than what the entire Suns team had in Game 1. The disparity prompted Green to call for fairness against the Thunder after the game. He knows the physicality that the defending champions bring, but he also wants referees to make calls on both teams.
“They’re a physical team, they’re very physical,” Green said, via Jordan Davis of The Oklahoman. “I got to play them last year. Same physicality. We’ve got to be able to take that pressure and create off it.”
The former No. 2 pick added, “I feel like there was a couple bad calls with how we’re gonna be playing in the playoffs. And with how the refs allow them to play, I think it’s gotta be both ways. Or just call the same foul both ways. One or the other. It’s the playoffs. You want to be aggressive at the end of the day.”
While the internet loves to call SGA a free-throw merchant, he didn’t lead the league in free throw attempts this season. He came in third among qualified players, just behind Luka Doncic and Deni Avdija.
The Thunder were also just 17th in the NBA in free throw attempts, while the Suns were near the bottom at No. 28.
Pace is Key for Suns in Game 2
GettyJalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of the NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Suns are back at the Paycom Center for Game 2 on Wednesday. They have to play much better if they want to earn an upset win and return to Phoenix with homecourt advantage.
Speaking to reporters after Game 1, Green thought that playing faster should help the Suns gain advantage over the Thunder.
“Play a little bit faster, play a lot of good game,” Green said, via Burn City Sports. “Hit the open shots. Shoot the open shots. It’s going to come down to the rebound. Once we get our stops, we’ve got to turn those stops and move on into transition points. I think we’ll be right.”
Despite the result of Game 1, the Suns are one of three teams to have at least two wins against the Thunder in the regular season, as per Basketball Reference.
Phoenix Suns Star Jalen Green Asks NBA Refs for Fair Calls in Thunder Series