After a week's wait, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally learned their first-round opponent for the 2026 NBA playoffs: the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns. For the third consecutive year, the Thunder watched the play-in tournament unfold to discover their postseason path, setting the stage for a classic clash between the league's top dog and a resilient underdog.
The Thunder enter the series as the overwhelming favorite, having dominated the regular season with an NBA-best 64-18 record and a staggering +11.1 point differential. Led by the likely back-to-back MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City carries the momentum of last year's deep playoff run and the weight of championship expectations.
Standing in their way is a Phoenix Suns team that has become one of the league's best feel-good stories. Finishing 45-37, the Suns secured their playoff berth in dramatic, do-or-die fashion with a commanding 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors. They are a team playing with house money and nothing to lose.
The season series suggests this could be a competitive matchup, with the Thunder holding a narrow 3-2 edge. As we gear up for the series, let's revisit the five games that set the tone for this playoff showdown.
The first meeting set the stage for Oklahoma City's historic start. This early-season thriller, which also counted toward the NBA Cup group play, featured the season debut of a key Thunder piece: Jalen Williams, who returned from wrist surgery. The Thunder controlled the tempo for most of the night behind a masterclass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 37 points and eight assists. When Phoenix mounted a late comeback, SGA silenced them with 15 clutch points in the final frame, supported by Chet Holmgren's 23 points and eight boards.
For the Suns, Collin Gillespie erupted for 24 points, hitting 6-of-11 from deep, but Devin Booker was held to 21 points—continuing a curious trend of the Phoenix star struggling against OKC's defensive schemes. The Suns' cold shooting from the outside ultimately sealed their fate in this close loss.
Given this game was nearly six months ago, its direct relevance to the playoff series is limited, but it established early themes: OKC's defensive prowess, SGA's clutch gene, and Phoenix's reliance on perimeter shooting. Gillespie's hot start has since cooled, but this game was a reminder of the explosive potential lurking on the Suns' roster.