Oklahoma City sweeps Suns, advances

Oklahoma City beat Phoenix 131-122 on Monday, April 27, to finish a four-game sweep and move into the Western Conference semifinals. (espn.com) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, and Chet Holmgren added 24 for the Thunder in Game 4 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. (espn.com) The Thunder won the series by 35 points in Game 1, 13 in Game 2, 12 in Game 3 and nine in Game 4. The four final scores were 119-84, 120-107, 121-109 and 131-122. (nba.com) (espn.com) The sweep sends Oklahoma City to the second round for the third straight season. ESPN’s recap said the Thunder are now 12-0 in first-round games over the last three postseasons. (espn.com) Phoenix entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed after a 45-37 regular season, while Oklahoma City was the No. 1 seed after going 64-18. Game 4 was the Suns’ highest-scoring game of the series, but it still was not enough to extend it. (espn.com) (nba.com) Oklahoma City’s next opponent has not been set. The Thunder will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets, and the Lakers lead that series 3-1 with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday, April 29. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) The bracket is already narrowing around them, but Oklahoma City’s part is settled: four games, four wins, and another quick trip to the West semifinals. (nba.com)