Top seed Oklahoma City opened the NBA Playoffs in style, beating the Phoenix Suns 119-84 at PayCom Center on 19 April 2026. In 29 minutes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 25 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. He earned an 8.0 Sofascore Rating as the Thunder moved ahead 1-0 in the Western Conference first round. Attendance matched the 18,203 capacity, and the home crowd had plenty to enjoy.

Living at the line

The scoring headline was efficiency at the stripe. Gilgeous-Alexander went 15/17 on free throws, good for 88%, and 15 of his 25 points came there. He attacked early, drew contact, and punished Phoenix for every reach-in. That production helped offset a cold shooting night from the field at 5/18.

Setting the table

While the shot chart showed more misses than usual, the passing game was sharp. Seven assists kept the Thunder offense humming, especially in the opening burst that finished 35-20 in the first quarter. His drives collapsed the defense and found cutters and spot-up options. Oklahoma City stacked quarters 35-20, 30-24 and 32-22 before cruising through the fourth.

Defensive notes and minutes

Two blocks stood out, but the broader impact was containment. Phoenix finished with just 84 points, and the ball pressure from OKC’s guards set the tone. The limited 29-minute workload reflected the margin, not his influence. When needed, he controlled pace, then sat once the result was safe.

Why it matters

For a 1 vs 8 matchup, Game 1 is about establishing rhythm and physicality. Gilgeous-Alexander did that by living in the paint and dictating decisions. If the free throw volume holds, it gives OKC a reliable scoring base even when jumpers dip. Fans can track live play-by-play, shot charts and the next game’s Sofascore Rating on the Sofascore app and site.