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Suns victim to Gilgeous-Alexander 50-pointer, drop 140-109 to Thunder

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Feb 6, 2025 12:14 AM ET

The Phoenix Suns fell victim to a dominant 50-point outing from MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and dropped 140-109 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Phoenix was missing all-star forward Kevin Durant. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Devin Booker was behind him with 19 points. Royce O’Neale, who started 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, finished with 18 points.

The closest Thunder to Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive night was Aaron Wiggins with 17 points. It was all S.G.A. for Oklahoma City.

The Suns (25-24) fall closer to .500 and finish a four-game road trip 1-3 and prepare to host the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies for a three-game homestand.

Thunder blow out Suns in 3rd quarter

Phoenix didn’t score a field goal in the second half until six minutes remaining in the third quarter and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 46 points in 30 minutes to lift Oklahoma City over the Suns, 104-79.

The Thunder outscored Phoenix 43-16 in the third quarter. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Devin Booker scored 19 points put committed six of Phoenix’s 15 turnovers.

O’Neale, Jones explode for Suns in 2nd quarter

Royce O’Neale exploded for 15 points in the first half to give the Suns a 63-61 lead after the second quarter.

Bradley tied him as Phoenix’s leading scorer with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Devin Booker (11) and Tyus Jones (10) also gave massive contributions in Kevin Durant’s absence.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued doing MVP-level things, scoring 28 points in the first half (15 in the second quarter) and each of his eight free throw attempts. The Thunder player closest to him in scoring was Isaiah Joe with eight points.

Beal, Booker keep Suns close to Thunder in 1st quarter

Bradley Beal opened the game with nine points (4-5 FG) and was instrumental in keeping Phoenix within four of the NBA-best Thunder, 37-33.

Devin Booker, coming off becoming the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, put up six points in the opening quarter. Royce O’Neale added two 3s.

NBA MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 points (4-11 FG) in the first quarter. Seven other Thunder players scored points to give OKC an early lead.

Injury report

Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) was out. The 36-year-old All-Star suffered the ankle injury against the Portland Trail Blazers. It is his 11th missed game of the season and first since Dec. 8.

For Oklahoma City, Chet Holmgren (right iliac wing fracture), Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery), Nikola Topic (right knee surgery) and Cason Wallace (right shoulder strain) were all out.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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