Game Day (Playoffs Round 1, Game 4): Thunder (3-0) @ Suns (0-3), Mon 4/27/26

[virtual9mm]

Suns were shooting almost perfectly and OKC is up still. Their shooting isn't a fluke, their Chet + Hartelstein lineup got every inside look they wanted. Better since Maluach in but now they are hot from 3.

[djy2j]

Hung in there but got to find a way to make the Thunder take more difficult shots.

[virtual9mm]

OKC is just a better team...at least it isn't a layup drill for them like it was before the Maluach minutes.

[SunsRIt]

Book with 2 points, 2 assists and 4 turnovers in the first quarter. Nice strong start.

[djy2j]

They reward Shai with his patented flop

[djy2j]

Man, if Booker could just get going...

[The Bobster]

The Suns' offense always works better when they move the ball instead of standing around.

[virtual9mm]

Looking like early season Suns at the moment. They have a chance.

[The Bobster]

Looking like early season Suns at the moment. They have a chance.

Not as much of Brooks, Booker and Green pounding the ball.

[djy2j]

I'd love to appreciate how good SGA is but I just can't with all the flopping and theatrical bullshit. Unwatchable brand of ball

[virtual9mm]

I'd love to appreciate how good SGA is but I just can't with all the flopping and theatrical bullshit. Unwatchable brand of ball

Agree

[virtual9mm]

And...OKC just remembered that the Suns are playing midget ball.

As much as I am rooting for Oso, he's just not a starting center. Backup 5 or an all-star 4 if he can learn how to shoot. You know what he's doing all summer.

[SunsRIt]

And...OKC just remembered that the Suns are playing midget ball.

As much as I am rooting for Oso, he's just not a starting center. Backup 5 or an all-star 4 if he can learn how to shoot. You know what he's doing all summer.

I know what he should be doing all summer.

[The Bobster]

Booker stepping up big - 0-3 FG, 2 points, 5 turnovers in 19 minutes.

[virtual9mm]

Giving up the end-of-the-quarter run was inevitable. Oso just isn't big enough to defend the paint. The Suns collapse defensively and they give up open 3's. They cover the shooters and there's a layup drill because nobody is scared of Oso as a shotblocker.

They couldn't do that while Maluach was in. And the same for Mark Williams back when he was healthy.

I am really rooting for Oso to break down his shot and start all over again. If you could play him at 4...

[The Bobster]

Gillespie and Allen were a combined 10 of 10 FG and 7 of 7 3-Pt FG for 29 points in 25 minutes.

[virtual9mm]

Booker stepping up big - 0-3 FG, 2 points, 5 turnovers in 19 minutes.

OKC is doubling him hard but Book isn't finding the open man. Either he's playing hurt now...or the Suns need to move him this summer.

I respect what Jalen Green is doing. He's a really, really good energy guy and microwave scorer off the bench. Like legendary tier in that role, like a Jamal Crawford / Bo Outlaw hybrid. Not sure if I trust him as your star starter, though.

[virtual9mm]

Gillespie and Allen were a combined 10 of 10 FG and 7 of 7 3-Pt FG for 29 points in 25 minutes.

And...the Suns are still down at half because of the fundamental flaw -- you can't play midget ball.

[The Bobster]

Gillespie and Allen were a combined 10 of 10 FG and 7 of 7 3-Pt FG for 29 points in 25 minutes.

And...the Suns are still down at half because of the fundamental flaw -- you can't play midget ball.

Well, you can, but the Suns don't have the players to protect the rim if Williams or Maluach isn't out there, and Brooks, O'Neale and Booker aren't solving that problem when they're playing forward.

[Mori Chu]

Suns are playing really well but it still isn't quite enough. Refs giving some friendly whistles to OKC, too.