NBA: Thunder set sights on 3rd straight 1st-round sweep in Game 4 vs. Suns

The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to secure a third consecutive first-round playoff sweep when they face the Phoenix Suns on Monday night in Game 4 of their Western Conference series.

For Phoenix, the assignment is clear: avoid being eliminated in the first round for a second straight postseason.

Oklahoma City moved within one win of another sweep after defeating the Suns 121-109 in Game 3 on Saturday in Phoenix. Defending NBA champion Oklahoma City has controlled much of the series, powered once again by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a playoff career-high 42 points on 15-of-18 shooting, including 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Over the past two games, he has scored 79 points and is averaging 34.7 points and 8.0 assists in the series.

“I’m just not surprised anymore with him,” Thunder guard Alex Caruso said. “I kind of have grown to expect it… it really is magnificent to see just his mentality. He’s eternally optimistic and he’s just a killer with his competitive mindset.”

Gilgeous-Alexander credited his teammates and coaching staff for allowing him to stay in rhythm offensively.

“I’m very fortunate to be in this position,” he said. “But regardless of who’s out there, I get to go out there and play my game. That’s just the role I have on this team.”

Phoenix struggled to contain him in Game 3 despite multiple defensive adjustments.

“Some of the shots were incredibly difficult,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “We tried different matchups, tried to take it out of his hands… Give him credit. He had us spinning tonight.”

The Suns may get a boost with the possible availability of guards Devin Booker and Grayson Allen. Booker briefly left Game 3 after injuring his left ankle in the third quarter but returned to finish with 16 points and seven assists.

Allen returned to action for the first time since April 10, scoring seven points in 17 minutes while still working back to full fitness.

“I felt good enough to go and good enough to contribute so we gave it a shot,” Allen said.

Dillon Brooks led Phoenix with 33 points in Game 3 and has totaled 63 points over the last two games, shooting 12-of-28 from three-point range in the series. However, Booker remains the Suns’ key offensive option, with a series high of 23 points so far.

“They’re a well-oiled machine,” Booker said of Oklahoma City. “They’re champs for a reason. They know what they want to get every time down the floor.”

Phoenix will remain without center Mark Williams (foot), while guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) is listed as questionable.

For Oklahoma City, All-Star Jalen Williams remains unlikely to return in this series after suffering a left hamstring injury in Game 2.

— Field Level Media/Reuters