The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 131-122 to complete their first-round series sweep and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder, who are 12-0 in first-round games under coach Mark Daigneault, will face the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in the next round. “It is a really good feeling. Just confidence-wise, as a group, it's good to get the playoff runs started off that way. It's just important to get out on a good foot. You never know what can happen. Usually, the later you go, the better the team, so the series don't get like that. But you want to give yourself as many days as you can to rest," said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City were led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points and eight assists, while Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell added 24 points and 22 points, respectively. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33.8 points and eight assists throughout the series and is the odds-on favorite to capture his second straight MVP award. The Thunder came within one point in the win of becoming the fourth defending champion ever to sweep the first round with all double-digit victories. The Suns, who made the playoffs through the Play-In, have now been swept in the opening round in their last two postseason appearances.
