Thunder sweep Suns 131-122

Oklahoma City ended Phoenix’s season Monday night, beating the Suns 131-122 in Game 4 to finish a first-round sweep. (apnews.com) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and handed out eight assists, while Chet Holmgren added 24 points as the Thunder closed the series 4-0. (apnews.com) (nba.com) The game was the closest of the series, but Oklahoma City seized control with a 27-12 run to end the first half. The Thunder finished 17-for-34 from 3-point range and shot 54% from the field. (nba.com) Phoenix got 24 points from Devin Booker, but the Suns never erased the gap after Oklahoma City’s late second-quarter burst. ESPN’s box score listed the Thunder ahead after every quarter. (espn.com) The defending champions are now through to the Western Conference semifinals, and they are the first team to advance from the 2026 postseason’s opening round. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) The sweep also extended a striking pattern: NBA.com said Oklahoma City has now swept a first-round opponent in three straight seasons. AP reported the Thunder are 12-0 in first-round games over that span. (nba.com) (apnews.com) That run has come even with lineup disruption in this series. NBA.com reported Jalen Williams went down in Game 2, yet the Thunder still posted 126.9 points per 100 possessions across the four games. (nba.com) Oklahoma City now waits for the winner of the Houston Rockets-Los Angeles Lakers series. NBA.com’s playoff recap and AP both said that matchup will decide the Thunder’s next opponent. (nba.com) (apnews.com) For Phoenix, the season ended at home after losses of 119-84, 120-107, 121-109 and 131-122. For Oklahoma City, the opener to the title defense is over in four games. (espn.com) (nba.com)