Sitting on the NBA throne and atop the standings, the Oklahoma City Thunder have become the team that the rest of the league circles their matchups for on their calendar. That comes with the territory of all-time greatness.
After one of the greatest regular seasons ever last year, the Thunder have one-upped themselves through the first month of this year. They boast a historic 18-1 record with a league-record point differential. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has regularly cut his shift short with 30 points in three quarters in blowout wins.
One of the last few items left on OKC’s bucket list is the NBA Cup. The Thunder finished just shy last year when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA Cup finals in Las Vegas. Sitting in first place of the West Group A standings this year, they could punch their ticket to the eight-team knockout tournament.
Next up on the docket for the Thunder are the Phoenix Suns. It will be the last NBA Cup group stage game for both sides. Both teams are 3-0, so this will determine one of the six group winners, with the loser getting the likely consolation prize of a wildcard spot.
The Suns have been one of the surprise teams this season. They have a 12-7 record. While they lost Kevin Durant this past offseason, everybody being on the same page has helped them be one of the better teams. It’s been a group effort where everybody is pulling the rope.
No longer dealing with title expectations, it’s led to Phoenix being a fun squad to follow. Devin Booker looks forward to their matchup against the Thunder. It’ll be a good stress test to see how far away they are from the NBA’s best team.
“It’s going to be a great test for us. They have it rolling. They’re playing some of the best basketball the NBA has ever seen,” Booker said. “I’m excited to match up against that. Another Cup game. We’re looking forward to that. We’ll see them on Friday.”
Booker has historically struggled against the Thunder — who hasn’t? In three losses last season, he was held to a quiet 17 points on 35.9% shooting and seven assists. That’s what happens when at least one of Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso is on you at all times. He will need to figure out how to have a hot scoring performance if Phoenix wants a puncher’s chance of an upset.
Momentum will be on OKC’s side. Not only are the Thunder almost unbeatable at home, but they’ll get an extra adrenaline boost from Jalen Williams’ return. He missed the first 19 games recovering from two wrist surgeries to repair torn ligaments he played through in their playoff journey last year.
Ironically enough, Williams’ first game back is against the Suns — the same team he initially injured his wrist against in an April regular-season game last year. The Thunder are the heavy favorites in this matchup. But let’s see if Phoenix can make them nervous.
