Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder set a franchise record with their 16th consecutive victory, a 138-89 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.
The Thunder equaled the best 25-game start in NBA history with their 24th win.
Oklahoma City will take on either the Los Angeles Lakers or the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The last time the teams met, Nov. 28 in NBA Cup group play, the visiting Suns took the Thunder down to the wire before Oklahoma City won 123-119, the closest game during the Thunder’s winning streak.
There was no such drama on Wednesday, as Oklahoma City scored 36 or more points in each of the first three quarters to hand Phoenix its largest loss in franchise history. Twice previously, both in the 2017-18 season, the Suns lost by 48 points.
Despite the Thunder controlling the game from the jump — Phoenix never led and tied the game just once, in the opening minute — the Suns were within 12 with four minutes remaining in the first half.
Then the avalanche began.
Luguentz Dort, back from a three-game absence caused by an adductor injury, drilled a 3-pointer to kick off a 20-6, half-ending run. Oklahoma City went into halftime with a 74-48 lead.
The Thunder hit six 3-pointers during the final four minutes before the break, including one each of their final four possessions of the half — two by Dort.
Oklahoma City’s lead continued to swell in the third, as Phoenix went more than 3 1/2 minutes without a field goal to start the quarter.
The Thunder scored 16 of their 36 third-quarter points off the Suns’ nine turnovers and finished the night with 34 points off 21 turnovers.
The 89 points were Phoenix’s fewest of the season. The Suns’ lowest offensive production last season also came against the Thunder.
Oklahoma City shot 59.1% from the floor, its second-best shooting performance of the season.
The Thunder hit 22 3-pointers, with 12 of their 13 players who appeared in the game hitting at least one.
Chet Holmgren hit all four of his tries from beyond the arc and finished with 24 points. Jalen Williams added 15 points. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 11 of 15 from the floor and added eight assists.
With the Thunder up by 36 with just more than five minutes remaining in the third, Phoenix’s frustration boiled over when Grayson Allen shoved Chet Holmgren on a screen. Allen was ejected following a review.
Dillon Brooks scored 16 to lead Phoenix, who shot 39.3%. Jordan Goodwin added 15 points, and Jamaree Bouyea had 14. Allen finished with 10.
Golden State, which won its first 24 games to start the 2015-16 season before losing its 25th, is the only other team in league history to start 24-1.
–Field Level Media
