NBA: Suns, Thunder square off with sights set on NBA Cup knockout stage

Thunder and Suns Face Off in Decisive NBA Cup Showdown.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns meet Friday in Oklahoma City for the deciding game in West Group A action of the NBA Cup.

“The games mean a little bit more,” Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “You can literally earn money by winning these types of games, so there’s a little bit of incentive behind it.”

Both teams enter the matchup undefeated at 3-0 in the group stage. While the Thunder haven’t officially clinched a spot in the knockout round, they are heavily favored to advance regardless of Friday’s outcome. Oklahoma City’s +71 point differential in NBA Cup play is more than double that of any other team still in contention via a wild-card berth.

The Suns’ position is slightly more precarious, though they also sit in a strong position to advance even with a loss. Phoenix holds a +35 differential, ahead of potential wild-card contenders Memphis Grizzlies (+9) and Los Angeles Clippers (-15). The Grizzlies and Clippers face off Friday in a must-win game for both teams if they hope to unseat the loser of the Thunder-Suns matchup.

Oklahoma City will have star Jalen Williams on the floor for the first time this season. Williams, a third-team All-NBA selection and first-time All-Star last season, underwent wrist surgery in July to repair ligament damage and a second procedure in late October to remove a screw that had been causing irritation.

The Thunder come into Friday’s game on a 10-game winning streak and are the fifth team in NBA history to start a season 18-1 or better. A victory would tie Oklahoma City for the second-best 20-game start in NBA history. The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors started 20-0, while the 1969-70 New York Knicks, 1990-91 Portland Trail Blazers, and 1993-94 Houston Rockets each opened 19-1.

Gilgeous-Alexander also has the chance to reach a historic individual milestone. The reigning Most Valuable Player has scored 20 or more points in 91 consecutive games, trailing only two streaks by Wilt Chamberlain. Another 20-point performance would tie Chamberlain’s second-longest streak of 92 games, 34 behind the record 126.

The Thunder star scored 40 points in Wednesday’s 113-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking Oklahoma City’s first game during its winning streak decided by fewer than 13 points. “We’re a better team having played that game,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.

After a slow start to the season, the Suns have gone 11-3 in their last 14 games, including Wednesday’s 112-100 win over the Sacramento Kings. Phoenix has faced only two of the Western Conference’s top-four teams, losing to both Denver and Houston, and is eager to prove its strength against the league’s elite.

“It’s not going to change our approach,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “Every night when you lace them up, you’ve got to play as hard as you possibly can. We have an extremely competitive team that I know will be juiced to get out there on the road and see where we’re at.”

Phoenix has been without Grayson Allen for the last six games due to a right quad contusion, while Ryan Dunn has missed three straight games with a right wrist sprain. Allen is listed as doubtful for Friday, and Dunn is ruled out.

Oklahoma City had Kenrich Williams available for the first time this season in Wednesday’s win.

Friday’s game is the first of four scheduled meetings between the Thunder and Suns this season, though they could meet again as early as next week in the NBA Cup knockout stage. Oklahoma City has swept the season series over Phoenix in each of the past two seasons, including a 3-0 record last year.

-Field Level Media/Reuters