Without SGA, the Thunder must attack the paint, dictate half-court tempo, and avoid foul trouble to conquer the Suns on the road.
On the first night of a back-to-back starting on the road against the Phoenix Suns, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell at least. That shifts the tone of the matchup immediately.
Without their primary creator and one of their steady backcourt options, this becomes less about star power and more about execution, discipline, and defensive focus.
Here are the three biggest keys to the game for Oklahoma City:
1. Paint Touches Over Jump Shots Early
Without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City loses their most reliable source of rim pressure and late clock shot creation. That means the Thunder cannot afford to settle for quick jumpers, especially early in possessions.
Jalen Williams becomes the focal point offensively. Williams has to set the tone by attacking downhill and forcing Phoenix’s defense to collapse.
The goal isn’t just for Williams to score though, it’s to create multiple rotations. When the ball touches the paint, good things happen: kick-out threes, dump-offs to bigs, and second side actions.
The Suns are disruptive defensively, but they can be vulnerable when forced into scramble situations. If Oklahoma City falls into a rhythm of contested above-the-break threes without paint pressure, it plays directly into Phoenix’s hands. The Thunder must prioritize drives, cuts, and interior touches before relying on perimeter shooting.
Early rim pressure also helps Oklahoma City control tempo, which is critical on the front end of a back-to-back.
2. Make Phoenix Play in the Halfcourt
The Thunder defense travels. Especially when it is organized.
Phoenix thrives when games become chaotic. Live ball turnovers, transition threes, and early clock scoring allow the Suns to build momentum quickly. Oklahoma City cannot allow that rhythm to develop.
That starts with sprinting back in transition and eliminating cross matches. It also means taking care of the basketball to prevent easy runouts. If this game becomes a track meet, the Suns gain an edge, particularly at home.
In the halfcourt, Oklahoma City’s length and switching versatility become major advantages. Chet Holmgren’s presence in the paint allows the Thunder to contest vertically without over-helping. Holmgren’s discipline will be vital by protecting the rim without fouling and anchoring communication.
If Phoenix is forced deep into the shot clock repeatedly, Oklahoma City can dictate defensive terms. Long, contested possessions favor the Thunder’s structure and maturity.
3. Don’t Let It Become a Free Throw Game
On the road, whistles matter.
The Suns know how to slow games down by drawing fouls and living at the line. That’s especially dangerous for Oklahoma City without Gilgeous-Alexander, who normally balances the free throw battle on the other end.
The Thunder must defend physically but intelligently with vertical contests at the rim, no unnecessary reach-ins late in the clock, and strong closeouts under control. Fouling not only gives Phoenix easy points, it disrupts Oklahoma City’s defensive rhythm and allows the crowd to stay engaged.
Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein staying out of foul trouble is essential. So is Williams avoiding offensive fouls when attacking downhill. If Oklahoma City can keep the free throw disparity manageable, it keeps the game within its preferred pace.
Without Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell, this game becomes a test of composure. If the Thunder generate paint pressure, forces Phoenix into halfcourt execution, and avoids turning the night into a parade to the free throw line, the Thunder give themselves a real chance to take the first game of the back-to-back on the road.