Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder pull away to take Game 2 against Suns: Takeaways

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksWhat Makes Up Championship DNA?Hollinger's Playoff PreviewThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Playoffs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) had 37 points and nine assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 2 win against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Joshua Gateley / Getty Images Share article1A first-round sweep in the 2025 postseason helped launch the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA championship, and after Wednesday’s 120-107 win over the Phoenix Suns, they are halfway to another perfect first round. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren combined for 23 points in the third quarter of Game 2, propelling the Thunder to a 100-77 lead entering the final frame after the Suns hung around in the first half. The Suns shot 43 percent (6 of 14) on 3-pointers and trailed 65-57 at halftime. But Phoenix couldn’t keep up in the second half, shooting only 32 percent from the field in the third quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 37 points and nine assists for the Thunder. Holmgren and Jalen Williams added 19 each. The Suns got 30 points from Dillon Brooks, who was 5-for-9 on 3-pointers. Game 3 will take place Saturday at Phoenix. Here are some takeaways from Wednesday’s Game 2. These Thunder will need Jalen Williams at some point. Especially the version of him they received through three halves of this first-round series. Williams, after nagging hamstring issues during the regular season, finally looked explosive. Comfortable. Like himself. He detonated at the rim. He muscled his way down the lane. He knocked down jumpers — and never settled for them. In Wednesday’s first half, it looked like his world, scoring 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting. It all took a heart-skipping turn when he reached for his left hamstring midway through the third quarter. While it’s the right hamstring that gave him trouble this season, it would be untimely for the soft-tissue issues to rear their head. When Williams first strained that hamstring in January, he missed roughly two weeks. When he reaggravated it two games after his return, he missed roughly six weeks. Oklahoma City might not need him to win this round, perhaps not even in the next round. But they’ll eventually need him — particularly the version of him that arrived for the postseason. — Joel Lorenzi Unlike Game 1, the Suns were competitive Wednesday. For a half. With few exceptions, the ball movement — a heavy emphasis the previous two days — was better. They did not foul Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as much as they had in Game 1. They trailed just 65-57 at halftime. Then it all fell apart. Phoenix was overwhelmed in the third quarter, outscored 35-20. They gave up easy baskets inside and failed to take away anything Oklahoma City wanted to do. They failed to force turnovers and lost focus. That’s all it takes against the Thunder, who can put a game away quickly especially in front of their home fans. The Suns cut a 26-point lead to 10 late in the fourth, but they couldn’t make a final push in the final 3 1/2 minutes. Although the Suns rallied, the damage was done. It’s hard to say what this means as the series shifts to Phoenix for Saturday’s Game 3. The Suns will have home court, their home fans. Defensive ace Jordan Goodwin, sidelined Wednesday night with a calf injury, could return. That might provide a spark. Whether the Suns can use it to position themselves to win a game in this series remains to be seen. — Doug Haller Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms