Suns @ Thunder 2026 Playoffs Sunday Game 1 Thread, 4-19-2026

[Raindog]

Maybe not treating people that might disagree with you as being insane might be a good start. There are a lot of different opinions here. Guess what? Yours isn't any better or any worse than the next guy.

Neither is yours. Talk about tone deaf. But keep on pretending you're the gatekeeper here. I never said anyone was "insane."

 

[Raindog]

Didn't you know? We are a much more surprising team in spite of Booker, not because he's a key contributor. Apparently he single-handedly loses games for us and is the main reason we're going to flame out in the first round.

Nobody is saying that either, except maybe one poster in a dedicated thread.

 

[Covert Rain]

Going for the fastest path tends to lead to disaster.

It would be nice for the franchise to go a while without shooting itself in the face.

I said, "fastest path to title contention". Meaning it's a legit path. When I say faster path, I am not saying the most careless path. What I am saying is that loading up on assets either to build through the draft or use it in trade pieces to being a legit #1 is going to be much faster than hanging on to a guy who isn't a #1 out of loyalty. Sure, you can probably build some entertaining teams but those will all be wasted years. Had the Suns traded Book they would have a lot more paths. Sticking with Book they don't.

Big difference.

 

[newBluePlanet]

They need to shop Dillon in the offseason. Dude thinks he is the go to on offense and is a black hole on offense.

and there it is. The latest scapegoat to throw under the bus for the "franchise player." It's his team, except when the team fails, which is always. When does the "we need a new coach" talk start? Game 3 or 4?

btw, i don't know if you were watching, but the first 2 months of the season, when we were the talk of the league, Dillon was indeed, leading the offense and defense. I agree that after his injury he hasn't looked good, but, actually, the things he can and should be criticized for now, is what fans like you have letting Booker slide with for a decade.

 

[Phrazbit]

I said, "fastest path to title contention". Meaning it's a legit path. When I say faster path, I am not saying the most careless path. What I am saying is that loading up on assets either to build through the draft or use it in trade pieces to being a legit #1 is going to be much faster than hanging on to a guy who isn't a #1 out of loyalty. Sure, you can probably build some entertaining teams but those will all be wasted years. Had the Suns traded Book they would have a lot more paths. Sticking with Book they don't.

Big difference.

As demonstrated in previous discussions, what you think is a legit path to a title and what I do is miles apart.

So, no, I just don't see it that way, for a million reasons.

If there is no realistic path (which IMO, there is not) stick with the one where you are relevant... at least then, if you have some huge stroke of luck, you're in a position to capitalize on it.

This would all be different if we controlled our picks, I would absolutely be in favor of a reset, but we don't, we don't for another 5 years because this team did one trade after another, chasing a quick fix, thinking "TITLE OR BUST" and every stupid move they made sent them much further from a title.

We're living with the consequences of some of the worst decisions in league history. Trading Booker so we can swim in feces for the better part of a decade will not help this franchise one iota.

 

[Hoop Head]

If there's one thing this team has done regularly it's hit reset every couple of years. Chamber & KJ years were like 3-4 years, Barkley years were 3-4 years, Kidd years were like 2-3 years, same with Marbury, and Nash was given about 6 years, although they attempted to blow it up halfway through with the Marion/Shaq trade. They kept chasing that next big thing and continued to come up empty. We did it again after 3 years of CP3 & Book pivoting to KD & Book while taking a huge step back and depleting our cupboards. Ultimately we're in a better spot than we should be but for some that isn't enough. The some it's not enough for should realize it never will be as it's not a Suns problem, it's their own expectations. This is the cost of not having a long term plan. I'll take this route forward, which won't be pretty but is respectable, over tossing out what little we have because it might give us a chance of having our hearts ripped out a year earlier.

 

[Phrazbit]

If there's one thing this team has done regularly it's hit reset every couple of years. Chamber & KJ years were like 3-4 years, Barkley years were 3-4 years, Kidd years were like 2-3 years, same with Marbury, and Nash was given about 6 years, although they attempted to blow it up halfway through with the Marion/Shaq trade. They kept chasing that next big thing and continued to come up empty. We did it again after 3 years of CP3 & Book pivoting to KD & Book while taking a huge step back and depleting our cupboards. Ultimately we're in a better spot than we should be but for some that isn't enough. The some it's not enough for should realize it never will be as it's not a Suns problem, it's their own expectations. This is the cost of not having a long term plan. I'll take this route forward, which won't be pretty but is respectable, over tossing out what little we have because it might give us a chance of having our hearts ripped out a year earlier.

Absolutely. Anyone who thinks this franchise has been risk averse, or far too patient, is off their rocker.

They rarely go 3 seasons without a major shakeup, especially if they are contending. Every instance this team has strung together a couple years of contention, they promptly blow their wad and the result is a massive regression.

The Suns dramatically exceeded expectations this year, the idea that we will take the next step by dumping the best player on the team when we sucked out loud without him and cannot benefit from tanking is... flat out insanity.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Booker salary is not the problem you think it is. He is still a positive asset by a wide margin and we could trade him away and there is absolutely no one that we could spend that money on who would have anywhere near the impact he has.

We’d be a 20 win team with a ton of Space and no control over our future pics and no one would want to play here.

We’d be the team signing Kuzma to a $30 million deal.

You want to trade booker for a ton of picks because by the time we can build a contender again, he will be on the back end of his career… fine, that is an argument that can at least be made.

Thinking we will trade Booker and be a better team for it within the next five years is just something that won’t happen.

The main impact will be us gifting the Rockets, one top five pick after another.

Sunk cost. Who cares? Build for the future because it’s not now. And trying to pretend it is just further delays the future. Let’s not pretend that relevance doesn’t have pain first. Look how bad the thunder, piston and rockets had to be for years before they regained relevance. Bite the bullet, trade boomer, experience the lean years, take on bad contracts for picks.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You are not accepting the reality of our situation.

There is no realistic scenario where this team competes for a title in the next, minimum, 7 or 8 years.

I'd rather they at least be interesting than watch them win 20 games when we don't even control our pick.

Aren’t you the guy who said we’d be lottery for the next 7 or 8 years? Maybe go easy on definitive predictions . . .

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Great, the loudest voices in favor of trading the Twins for KD are going to float new ideas sending Booker out after each loss against OKC.

We were never winning this series and aren't competing for a title in the next 4-5 years short of a miracle.

Given your (accurate) belief here, why wouldn’t you start loading up for that time period? Why remain mired in mediocrity (play-in) rather than starting to build for 4-5 years from now like the thunder did? They could’ve remained more mediocrity but they capitalized on Paul George. Look at them now.

 

[Adrian]

This is a good Suns team, the problem is we are playing a great team.

We are not there, yet. Have patience

 

[leclerc]

Mark Williams gave us stuff that Oso does not, or less of, by running the floor, taking the jumper, protecting the rim. I think this is the biggest difference. Maybe play Maluach in spurts and see if there are signs of improvements on both sides of the ball, while also giving him some experience.

The same thing with Fleming. It has been mentioned many times. He provides much needed size and defensive capability.

We probavly will be swept but Ott must try to change some things. He cannot let his team be crushed in the same way four games in a row. For all that is good in the world.

 

[elindholm]

Given your (accurate) belief here, why wouldn’t you start loading up for that time period? Why remain mired in mediocrity (play-in) rather than starting to build for 4-5 years from now like the thunder did? They could’ve remained more mediocrity but they capitalized on Paul George. Look at them now.

It's a question of timing. The Thunder didn't get to where they are now by trading George. They got to where they are now by trading George plus already having a lot of other assets, specifically their own picks.

The Suns' situation is hopeless for the next five or so years. Nothing can be done to change that. Booker's trade value isn't sufficient to reboot the franchise by itself. Assuming they don't continue to make incredibly risky trades, they'll be in better shape by the end of this decade, pretty much no matter what. Then they can start thinking seriously about the future.

Is it better to be mediocre or awful for the next five years? I don't know. But being awful won't put them in any better position than being mediocre would be, so they might as well be mediocre.

 

[Hoop Head]

Given your (accurate) belief here, why wouldn’t you start loading up for that time period? Why remain mired in mediocrity (play-in) rather than starting to build for 4-5 years from now like the thunder did? They could’ve remained more mediocrity but they capitalized on Paul George. Look at them now.

If Booker doesn't want dealt then he shouldn't be dealt. Of course we don't know the offers they've received but building a quality organization where guys want to play is part of the equation and promising Book he can play things out here only to deal him wouldn't send a good message to other potential franchise players. Since we don't own our pick, I don't think we need to rush into anything. A few small tweaks and development could get us in the 3-6 range in the West as it is while trading Book won't improve our current situation and may not even improve things in a few years. There's so much dead money and spoken for draft picks that patience is likely the best path forward because we aren't winning a title in the 2020's regardless. We could improve our standing and reputation enough that by the time Book's extension is actually being paid that we could make a splash, that's also when Beal's dead money leaves us. I'd rather have a few more seasons like this last one than some lottery seasons where we're utilizing someone else's pick.

I also believe it's easier to maintain a winning club in position to take the next step from bottom seed to playoff favorite than being a lottery team that becomes a playoff team. We've been doormats and it's hard to turn things around after years of being in the gutter.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

mediocre for the next 5-10 years.. no chance..

zen master says we'll see

we thought the cardinals were playoff bound this year and that the suns were dead in the water - we have no idea what our youngsters will become - no idea who will be on the team in 5 years - there's no telling what happens this next year or the year after that - i do know i want to see the team stick together and grow for once - build some real chemistry - this team really gets along well with one another - that's big - we get to watch book brooks and ott bring them along - im good - i don't think we have anyone signed past 2029 - i don't think we'll have a real draftpick until around the same time lol im good - develop the youth with the outstanding characters we've somehow put around them

the yin and yang that is book and brooks is super entertaining to me - sprinkle in some jalen green - throw in the size that is fleming and maluach - im good

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

williams (and gillespie) on the other hand...

it appears williams may be damaged goods - i keep hearing we have to keep him because of what we gave for him but that's not how good teams operate - good teams keep/develop good players that can stay on the court - the whole league knows he missed crucial post season play due to the same foot that's prevented him from playing in his injury riddled past

and collin gillespie went missing as soon as we added jalen green - goody done took gillespie's starter job - and we have grayson allen signed through whenever - point his grayson can shoot the 3 just as nice - can penetrate and doesn't get picked on as much as gillespie - i was ready to give gillespie the bag before the all star break- now idk

 

[Raindog]

This is a good Suns team, the problem is we are playing a great team.

We are not there, yet. Have patience

The problem with that is Booker is no longer 23 or 24. He's hitting his 30s and also battling perennial injuries that are likely to have a greater impact as he gets older. He's also going to be eating up a third or more of the salary cap as long as he's here. Between his salary and his physical status, every year going forward, it's going to be a game of Russian roulette before he's going to be a big drag on the franchise's chances.

I would be fine with sticking with the status quo if any of those facts weren't in evidence. Or even if the Suns hadn't been stupid and traded away most of their drafts for the next five years. But given all of that, I again ask how does anyone expect they will improve over the foreseeable near future given little draft capital or cap space to sign anyone?

Does anyone really expect the guys they recently drafted to turn into stars? Maybe it's not impossible, but it's a long shot. Does anyone believe we can turn the rest of the few meager assets we have into meaningful acquisitions? Can we thread the needle and nail the few (likely very low) draft assets we currently own?

All of those strategies are a very low likelihood to lead to success. The Suns really put themselves behind the 8-ball dumping their future drafts to the degree they did. They got lucky this year that a few things worked out early in the year, but even then, reality started catching up with them as the year went on.

 

[Mainstreet]

williams (and gillespie) on the other hand...

it appears williams may be damaged goods - i keep hearing we have to keep him because of what we gave for him but that's not how good teams operate - good teams keep/develop good players that can stay on the court - the whole league knows he missed crucial post season play due to the same foot that's prevented him from playing in his injury riddled past

and collin gillespie went missing as soon as we added jalen green - goody done took gillespie's starter job - and we have grayson allen signed through whenever - point his grayson can shoot the 3 just as nice - can penetrate and doesn't get picked on as much as gillespie - i was ready to give gillespie the bag before the all star break- now idk

Still, the Suns need to keep Gillespie if there is any way possible. A team doesn't get better by letting talent walk.

The same way with Williams but the Suns cannot overpay either. Giving up two first round picks for Williams is looking like a bad trade.

 

[Hoop Head]

ESPN had a good piece that dives into each series a little and here's what it says about the Suns vs OKC

The Thunder had to win two Game 7s last year on their way to the title, but that obscures just how dominant they were at home last spring.

Their average home margin of victory during the Western Conference playoffs last year was 29 points. Including the playoffs and NBA Cup, they are 149-40 over the past two seasons, despite significant injuries.

And after beating the Suns by 35 points in Sunday's Game 1, the Thunder's average margin of victory in first-round home games over the past two years is ... 35 points.

Oklahoma City was scary Sunday. The Suns were fatigued after playing a third game in three cities in six days against the rested Thunder, but the efficiency of their performance illustrated what it will take to beat them four times in a series.

The most important under-the-radar stat of the weekend might've been the Thunder outscoring the Suns 34-2 in points off turnovers. That might seem like a byproduct of a routine blowout, but it is a measuring stick of the Thunder's level of play.

They're built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his half-court dominance. But their philosophy is packaged in those points off turnovers. The Thunder are constructed and programmed to win the possession game. That is why they jump passing lanes, obsessively try to take care of the ball and recruit athletes with long arms.

Get the ball. Whether it's a rebound, a steal, a loose ball, or a deflection, it does not matter.

Watching the Thunder cycle through 11 players in the first half, all of them falling into mostly perfect defensive rotations, generating eight steals and a handful more deflections, and scoring 21 points off turnovers in just 24 minutes was sobering -- for the Suns and for anyone who dared to check out the competition.

Biggest lessons from the first weekend of the NBA playoffs

A 25-year-old LeBron strategy for the Lakers, a new defense in Cleveland and a message from Oklahoma City: Here's what we learned as the postseason tipped off.

www.espn.com

 

[Mainstreet]

ESPN had a good piece that dives into each series a little and here's what it says about the Suns vs OKC

Biggest lessons from the first weekend of the NBA playoffs

A 25-year-old LeBron strategy for the Lakers, a new defense in Cleveland and a message from Oklahoma City: Here's what we learned as the postseason tipped off.

www.espn.com

As I recall, the Suns were built to win the possession battle as well but clearly the Thunder do a better job.

 

[Hoop Head]

As I recall, the Suns were built to win the possession battle as well but clearly the Thunder do a better job.

A number of teams were built to shoot 3's but ultimately those teams couldn't out gun Steph, Klay, and Durant. Point being someone will always be further ahead building that system so you need multiple plans of attack to succeed at the highest level in the NBA. The Suns don't really have an alternate plan now as injuries kept hitting them when they'd get all their pieces back and prepared to expand their repertoire. Part is bad luck for us and part is great building by OKC. It sucks for us we're at the end of the other end of the court but I still think it was a great season and won't care whether we're swept or not. I think we steal one still.

Hopefully the Suns learn from this.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We finally have a Billionaire owner. Can't we have him poach away someone like Sam Presti? Just triple his salary. LOL. Give up a first rounder for tampering, and be done with it. Top line guidance to reset this franchise.

Here’s the thing, I don’t think what presti did was rocket science. He lost and took on bad contracts to gain a massive amount of draft picks. Yes, talent evaluation was key. And they have a good collection of talented players. But they really only have one star and two substars. But they had to lose and lose a lot and take a lot of bad contracts to get there.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Guys, they won a few more games this season when everyone thought they'd barely win 30 games. They did this while plagued with injuries. Somehow they managed to add two rookies who look like legitimate players. They developed two point guards who are now legitimate rotation players. This is not the time to trade your loyal star, especially since you don't have any of your own picks (Yes, I know they have picks, but they are all swapped). Hell, this is not the time to do anything major- enjoy the ride, trust the internal development, coach, and the GM.

I'd agree except I just don't trust his body.

 

[Mainstreet]

A number of teams were built to shoot 3's but ultimately those teams couldn't out gun Steph, Klay, and Durant. Point being someone will always be further ahead building that system so you need multiple plans of attack to succeed at the highest level in the NBA. The Suns don't really have an alternate plan now as injuries kept hitting them when they'd get all their pieces back and prepared to expand their repertoire. Part is bad luck for us and part is great building by OKC. It sucks for us we're at the end of the other end of the court but I still think it was a great season and won't care whether we're swept or not. I think we steal one still.

Hopefully the Suns learn from this.

I don't think anyone thought the Suns could beat the Thunder in a series, maybe not even win a single game at full strength, but it's disappointing they can't play their style of basketball.

The Suns want to win the possession game too and compete for 48 minutes. The Thunder are simply better at it.

Mostly, I want to see the youngsters get some playoff basketball experience under their belt.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't think anyone thought the Suns could beat the Thunder in a series, maybe not even win a single game at full strength, but it's disappointing they can't play their style of basketball.

The Suns want to win the possession game too and compete for 48 minutes. The Thunder are simply better at it.

Mostly, I want to see the youngsters get some playoff basketball experience under their belt.

yeah... I really want Fleming and Malauch to get some legit minutes here. IDGAF about Highsmith seeing the court and learning about playoff intensity. He's not a building block for the future. Get the young guys some burn.