Three Takeaways From OKC Thunder Loss vs. Phoenix Suns

Three Takeaways From OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns

1. Sometimes You Get Burned

The Oklahoma City Thunder have stuck to their defensive identity under Mark Daigneault. They leave corner shooters open to swarm the paint and force the top scorers on the othersize to play in a crowd with timely double teams. Often times, that leads to bad or at least shaky 3-point shooters all alone in the corners to live and die with the results instead of the top scorers getting easy matchups.

It has led to the Thunder putting up a historic defensive unit the past few seasons, leading the league in defensive rating and routinely finishing in the top ten.

However, there are games –– or series –– where those preferred shooters beat you. Tonight, that was the case as Jordan Goodwin, a career 32% 3-point shooter, tossed in eight triples on 13 attempts this game from downtown. He was key for the Suns in gutting out this win.

2. The Suns Defense is Legit

Heading into the offseason, the Suns knew they had to enter a new era after the failed big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal flamed out. Now, only Booker remains, but the Suns front office deserves credit for quickly retooling this roster and boasting one of the NBA's best defensive units.

They play with great physicality, they are disciplined on drivers and lead the NBA in steals generated per game.

Tonight, the Suns did just that, while only creating nine turnovers, the Oklahoma City Thunder struggled to get clean looks in the second half. Including down the stretch of this game in clutch time where Phoenix really buckled down.

Their defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was especially important tonight, limiting the Thunder superstar in a massive way as he was ineffective and labored to score in this game a rare sight for the reigning MVP.

3. Chet Holmgren continues to impress

Holmgren has put together a great week of basketball which continued on Sunday with 18 points, nine rebounds, a steal and three blocks. He was huge as a rim protector but also turned in some timely buckets such as his baseline turnaround over Goodwin in the final frame.

Up next, the Oklahoma City Thunder wrap up this back-to-back set at home on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets.

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