The Phoenix Suns are one loss away from having their surprise season come to an end.

The Oklahoma City Thunder put them in this position after taking Game 3 in comfortable fashion, 121-109, April 25 before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center.

“Overall, they are a well-oiled machine,” Suns All-Star Devin Booker about the Thunder. “They're the champs for a reason. They know what they want to get every time down court and they definitely know what they are doing on the defensive end. We have some growing to do and some learning to do in those departments.”

Down 3-0, the Suns will look to extend the series in Game 4 April 27 at home.

If necessary, Game 5 is set for April 29 in Oklahoma City.

The Suns aren’t ready for their season to end, but the odds are stacked against them against the defending NBA champions, who have an average margin of victory of 20 points so far in this best-of-7 first-round series.

“I believe in our group no matter if we don’t have experience,” Suns forward Dillon Brooks said. “We have heart and we’re going to battle until the end. We’re ready to find adjustments and find a way to get ready and find the energy for Game 4.”

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.Players are introduced before Game 3 of the Phoenix Suns playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.

1 / 14See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 actionOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.1 / 14See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 actionOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.2 / 14See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 actionPlayers are introduced before Game 3 of the Phoenix Suns playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.

The Suns have put up a greater fight in the last two games, but Oklahoma City still managed to take a 3-0 lead without Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain) and Isaiah Joe (personal reasons), who isn’t with the team on the trip.

“Phoenix, with the home crowd, came in ready to go,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, whose bench scored 36 points to Phoenix’s 12. “They were fast to start the game, both in transition, and they moved the ball quickly. They are improving as the series goes, in terms of the way they are attacking us. There is stuff we need to look at to try to get that under control, but I thought our poise in the first quarter was really helpful in the game.”

The Suns trailed by as many as 16 points, allowed 50 points in the paint and shot just 13-of-41 from 3 in Game 3.

Phoenix was down Jordan Goodwin (calf) and Mark Williams (foot), but Grayson Allen played through a left hamstring strain to score seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in 17 minutes.

Here are takeaways from Saturday's game as Phoenix faces a must-win game on Monday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already the toughest player to guard in the league even when he’s not making shots.

When he is — and getting to the line — the opposing team is left to only praise the reigning MVP for another special performance.

"Thought some of the shots were incredibly difficult. We know he can make some of those shots."Suns coach Jordan Ott on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 42-point night on 15-of-18 FGs in Game 3 loss to OKC.On Thunder 18-4 run to end 1st quarter, 11-2 run to end 2nd in taking 62-53… pic.twitter.com/qzaf0SyxLU

Scoring a game-high 42 points on 15-of-18 from the field in 38 minutes, Gilgeous-Alexander feasted on Phoenix from all angles.