Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 119-84 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Sunday in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.

Gilgeous-Alexander struggled from the field, finishing 5-of-18, but made up for it at the line by hitting 15 of 17 free throws. He also added a game-high seven assists, along with two blocks and zero turnovers in an efficient all-around performance.

Jalen Williams contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in just 29 minutes, while Chet Holmgren added 16 points to help Oklahoma City establish early control.

“We’re the best version of ourselves when he’s the best version of himself,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Williams.

For Phoenix, Devin Booker led the way with 23 points, while Dillon Brooks scored 18 and Jalen Green added 17. However, the Suns struggled offensively throughout the night, shooting just 34.9% from the field.

After a week-long break between games, Oklahoma City showed some offensive rust, hitting only 30.4% from three-point range. Still, their defensive intensity more than compensated, forcing 19 turnovers and converting them into 34 points.

“They just keep coming,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said. “It doesn’t matter who they bring in games, you play their style of basketball. They continuously bring it in waves.”

The Thunder seized control early with a 19-2 run, building a 26-14 lead late in the first quarter. During that stretch, Phoenix went nearly six minutes without a field goal, missing eight straight attempts.

Tensions briefly flared early in the game when Brooks lost control of the ball and, in the scramble, struck Holmgren in the face while attempting a swipe, resulting in a flagrant foul.

Phoenix also suffered a setback when Jordan Goodwin left the game in the second quarter due to a calf injury, limiting him to just five minutes of action.

Oklahoma City extended its lead to as many as 25 points in the first half. Although the Suns opened the third quarter with a brief surge, cutting the deficit to 15, the Thunder responded decisively.

Oklahoma City outscored Phoenix 29-13 over the final 10 minutes of the third quarter, allowing head coach Mark Daigneault to rest most of his starters in the fourth.

The Thunder finished the game with only eight turnovers, maintaining control on both ends of the floor.

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in Oklahoma City. -Field Level Media/Reuters