Recap: Thunder at Suns

By Nick Gallo and Paris Lawson | okcthunder.com

Box Score: OKC at PHX

In the midst of a gauntlet stretch of 19-straight games against Western Conference foes who are all fighting for playoff positioning, the young Thunder squad is learning how to bring it every night and sustain its level of energy and execution for all 48 minutes. 

Against a rested Phoenix Suns team, the Thunder rolled into town in the early hours of Wednesday morning to cap off a stretch of nine games in 14 nights with the second night of a back to back. The Suns jumped out with an 11-0 run as the Thunder started just 2-of-16 shooting from the field with four turnovers. In the second quarter the Thunder’s second unit helped deliver a response punch, scoring 40 points in the first half alone to make sure it was still within striking distance at halftime, down by only eight. 

In the second half, however, Phoenix’s extra energy and veteran savvy was too much to overcome as the Suns ripped off a 19-6 run in the early stages of the third quarter. Viewing everything through the lens of development, the Thunder got extended minutes for its young players - vital reps against one of the league’s best teams that will pay dividends down the line, despite the 132-101 loss. 

Nick: After a pair of high-energy plays by Phoenix to start this road game, the Thunder kept the ball alive on the offensive glass and it led to a baseline out of bounds play. OKC got the ball into one of the most dangerous shooters in the entire NBA, Isaiah Joe, and the Suns had to react. Flying out wildly, Joe’s defender Torrey Craig crashed into him, which put Joe on the free throw line for three shots. It was the eighth time Joe has been fouled on a 3-pointer this season, one of the top 25 marks in the entire league. A few possessions later, Joe got a kickout pass from Josh Giddey and spun in a 3-pointer from the top of the key to keep this one close in the first few minutes. The Thunder hit 15 3-pointers in the game. 

Paris: Jared Butler stepped into the ball game for the Thunder with 4:30 left in the first quarter. OKC found itself down double digits early against the Suns and needed a spark off the bench. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault brought in the second unit including Butler and in the next minute, the newly minted two-way player posted a quick five points on back to back possessions. The buckets marked his first points as a Thunder player in just his second game played. 

Paris: Tre Mann attacked the middle of the floor, drew two defenders and Lindy Waters III slotted into the space at the top of the key. Mann scooped the ball back to Waters who stepped into a rhythm 3-pointer to make it a single-digit ball game. The Thunder’s sharpshooter knocked down four 3-pointers in the first half – a new career high on just six attempts. By halftime, the Oklahoma native notched a season-high 21 points in just 15 minutes played on 6-of-8 from the 3-point line and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line. 

Nick: Just like he did earlier to find Joe for 3, Josh Giddey attacked downhill then flung a pass all the way back out behind him to the top of the key. Waiting at the top of the key was Jeremiah Robinson-Earl who was ready in triple-threat position to shoot, pass or drive. Rookie guard Ousmane Dieng immediately streaked from the wing to the rim and Robinson-Earl found him on the cut for a wide open two-handed slam down low. The bucket was one of many cuts by the Thunder throughout the game, including a few possessions later when Dieng cut again, then found Robinson-Earl for a layup as he made an overlapping cut right behind him.

Nick: The Thunder’s second unit picked up the group with its energy and effort in the first half, and the starters wanted to try and carry that momentum forward. On the very first Thunder possession of the half, Giddey attacked downhill, went to a hook shot and got fouled too. It was his 25th and-one of the season, more than triple the number that he accumulated last season. In general, the 20-year-old Giddey’s added physicality this season has made an impact on his scoring and ability to get to the free throw line. While he didn’t have a prolific scoring night tonight, Giddey’s ability to serve as a scoring threat sets up other parts of his game, as he once again piled up at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game for the 35th time this season and 54th time in his two-year career with a 10-point, seven-rebound, five-assist, two-steal night. 

Paris: Aaron Wiggins caught the ball in the open floor after a missed basket by Phoenix and made a quick layup on the other end. As the Suns tried to inbound the ball, Tre Mann lurked in the backcourt and snatched the ball in the open floor for a steal. The second year guard finished an easy, uncontested layup after the sneaky pick and gave the Thunder a short burst of energy after the Suns took control of the game in the third frame. For the night, Mann scored 14 points on 4-of-9 from the field including 2-for-5 from the 3-point line to go with four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.  

Paris: Ousmane Dieng uses every minute on the floor as an opportunity to continue his development as a young 19-year-old rookie in the league. His assignment has been to play with force on both ends of the floor and in the fourth quarter, Dieng played with force, but also showed off his versatility at 6-foot-10. He cashed in a couple of 3-pointers and also finished a strong drive to the basket. For the night, Dieng racked up 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal and shot at 5-of-13 from the field. 

Nick: Two-way player Olivier Sarr made his presence felt down low on both ends of the floor with an and-one bucket and with a blocked shot in the lane. Getting some extended minutes again for the Thunder this season after playing 10 games with the Oklahoma City Blue, Sarr is in his second year with the Thunder on a two-way deal. Last year Sarr played 22 games for the Thunder towards the end of the season, and over the course of his career he’s shown the ability to be a speed-rolling big man that can finish above the rim in addition to a player who can pop above the three-point line to take jump shots. Defensively, he’s still working on his pick and roll defense, but has shown a knack for blocking shots around the rim. 

“Second units in general, you want the guys off the bench to elevate the energy of the game and especially on a back to back with tough travel. The guys that didn't play a lot of minutes last night, those are the guys you want to lean on in that situation.” –Coach Daigneault 

“When I was in shootaround, when I was going through my pregame routine just trying to lock in. It felt really, really good leaving my hand early.” –Lindy Waters III 

“They really didn’t miss a shot. It started with Devin Booker. Devin Booker came out aggressive. He hit some tough shots where we played our defense and then after that they just really got what they wanted and got into the paint and sprayed it out.” –Tre Mann

After a day off on Thursday, the Thunder will practice in Oklahoma City on Friday before kicking off another back-to-back, this time in New Orleans and San Antonio on Saturday and Sunday. These two games close out a stretch of 19-straight games against Western Conference foes.  

By Zach Beeker | OKC Thunder