
Un clon de la final de 1987
La final de la Copa del Rey Mapfre termina 2-2, igual que en 1987, y la Real gana por penaltis.
The Thunder will face the Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, marking their first playoff matchup since 1997. Dillon Brooks has already taken on a villain role, labeling the Thunder as 'foul baiters.'
Mentioned in this story
The Thunder entered its 18th year of existence having already played a playoff series against all but two of its 14 Western Conference foes: Phoenix and Sacramento.
Cross off the former.
The No. 1 seed Thunder will face the No. 8 seed Suns at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Game 1 of a first-round series.
After losing to Portland in its first play-in game, Phoenix bounced back by beating Golden State 111-96 in Friday nightâs elimination game.
These two franchises â the Thunder and Suns â havenât met in the playoffs since 1997, when the No. 2 seed SuperSonics beat the No. 7 seed Suns in a five-game first-round series. Sooner great Wayman Tisdale was on that Suns team. Steve Nash was a rookie. Jason Kidd had been acquired midseason from the Mavericks. But those Sonics, with Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, were too much for the Suns.
Now that we finally have a Thunder-Suns series, the wait is on for Thunder-Kings.
⊠We might be waiting a while.
The Thunder, since its inception in 2008, is about to play in its 27th playoff series. The Kings have played in one playoff series during that same span.
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS: Thunder vs Suns: Who has the edge in first round of NBA Playoffs?
The Thunder will play the Suns at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Dillon Brooks has taken on a villain role, criticizing the Thunder by calling them 'foul baiters.'
The Thunder and Suns last met in the playoffs in 1997.
The Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-96 in their elimination game to advance to the playoffs.

La final de la Copa del Rey Mapfre termina 2-2, igual que en 1987, y la Real gana por penaltis.

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Nick Gallo interviews Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso (9) following the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) looks up after a play during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), Isaiah Joe (11) and Jaylin Williams (6) laugh on the bench during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) goes to the basket as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) defends during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Isaiah Joe (11) reacts to a call during the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams (6) defends against Denver's Nikola Jokic (15) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) gangs on the rim after a dunk during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is pictured on the bench during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends against Brooklyn center Day'ron Sharpe (20) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams (8) reacts after forcing Los Angeles' Luka DonÄiÄ (77) to turn the ball over during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives between New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) and New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso (9) celebrates during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,Friday March 27, 2026.
Rumble waves a Thunder flag before an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Isaiah Joe (11) celebrates a 3-point basket in overtime of during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Saturday Feb. 28, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace (22) celebrates a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,Friday March 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Chet Holmgren (7) blocks the shot of Utah's Cody Williams (5) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Luguentz Dort (5) gets a steal during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) celebrates with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) hangs on the rim after a dunk as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a basket as Chicago's Leonard Miller (11) and Josh Giddey (3) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,Friday March 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren (7) walks on the court during Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Oklahoma Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Oklahoma City 's Isaiah Joe (11) drives to the basket as Utah's Kennedy Chandler (0) defends during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles' Luke Kennard (10) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Isaiah Joe (11) shoots a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles beside New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
The Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Boston Celtics wait to tip off before the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (7) tries to get around Denver's Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun (0) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
Oklahoma City's Luguentz Dort (5) tries to get by Denver's Jonas ValanÄiĆ«nas during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) makes a basket beside New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after Jaylin Williams (6) and Isaiah Hartenstein (55) pour water on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) following the the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke the Wilt Chamberlain NBA record for consecutive 20-point games.
Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topic (44) reacts after a basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
Oklahoma City forward Jaylin Williams (6) shoots under pressure from Denver center Nikola JokiÄ (15) in the fourth quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) waits to introduced before the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) celebrates during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) tries to get by Boston's Jaylen Brown (7) during the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots a 3-pointer to tie Wilt Chamberlain for most games scoring 20 points during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace (22) dunks the ball over Denver center Nikola JokiÄ (15) in the third quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams (6) reacts after a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) goes to the basket as Brooklyn guard Egor Demin (8) and Brooklyn forward Noah Clowney (21) defend during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
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Nick Gallo interviews Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso (9) following the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
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Nick Gallo interviews Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso (9) following the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) looks up after a play during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
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Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), Isaiah Joe (11) and Jaylin Williams (6) laugh on the bench during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) goes to the basket as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) defends during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Isaiah Joe (11) reacts to a call during the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams (6) defends against Denver's Nikola Jokic (15) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) gangs on the rim after a dunk during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is pictured on the bench during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends against Brooklyn center Day'ron Sharpe (20) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams (8) reacts after forcing Los Angeles' Luka DonÄiÄ (77) to turn the ball over during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
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Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives between New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) and New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso (9) celebrates during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,Friday March 27, 2026.
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Rumble waves a Thunder flag before an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Isaiah Joe (11) celebrates a 3-point basket in overtime of during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Saturday Feb. 28, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace (22) celebrates a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,Friday March 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Chet Holmgren (7) blocks the shot of Utah's Cody Williams (5) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Luguentz Dort (5) gets a steal during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) celebrates with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) hangs on the rim after a dunk as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a basket as Chicago's Leonard Miller (11) and Josh Giddey (3) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,Friday March 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren (7) walks on the court during Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Oklahoma Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
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Oklahoma City 's Isaiah Joe (11) drives to the basket as Utah's Kennedy Chandler (0) defends during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday April 5, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles' Luke Kennard (10) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Isaiah Joe (11) shoots a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles beside New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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The Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Boston Celtics wait to tip off before the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (7) tries to get around Denver's Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun (0) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
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Oklahoma City's Luguentz Dort (5) tries to get by Denver's Jonas ValanÄiĆ«nas during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) makes a basket beside New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after Jaylin Williams (6) and Isaiah Hartenstein (55) pour water on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) following the the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke the Wilt Chamberlain NBA record for consecutive 20-point games.
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Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topic (44) reacts after a basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
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Oklahoma City forward Jaylin Williams (6) shoots under pressure from Denver center Nikola JokiÄ (15) in the fourth quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, March 9, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) waits to introduced before the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) celebrates during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) tries to get by Boston's Jaylen Brown (7) during the NBA basketball game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Thursday March 12, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots a 3-pointer to tie Wilt Chamberlain for most games scoring 20 points during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, March 9, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace (22) dunks the ball over Denver center Nikola JokiÄ (15) in the third quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, March 9, 2026.
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Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams (6) reacts after a 3-point basket during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nugget at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday Feb. 27, 2026.
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Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) goes to the basket as Brooklyn guard Egor Demin (8) and Brooklyn forward Noah Clowney (21) defend during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday Feb. 20, 2026.
Here are the Thunderâs most common West playoff opponents by series played:
In addition to the novelty of the Thunder and Suns meeting as first-time playoff foes, here are three other storylines heading into the series.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles past Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) during an NBA Cup basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. The Thunder won 123-119.
Dillon Brooks has already fired the first shot of the series.
âThere are a lot of foul baiters on that team,â Brooks said of the Thunder on the Amazon postgame show Friday night.
Dillon, thatâs your countryman youâre talking about! Canadians are supposed to be nice!
Phoenix isnât going to win this series, but the Suns have to do whatever possible to win the discourse.
The Canadian trio of Brooks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort is going to be at the center of everything in this series. Dort and Brooks are two of the most physical defenders in the NBA. Both are prone to crossing the line â Dort in subtle ways, Brooks in brash ones.
The Olympics are two years away. Plenty of time for the Team Canada teammates to mend the rifts that are bound to form in this series.
Shenanigans aside, the 30-year-old Brooks is amid the best offensive season of his career. Heâs averaging 20.2 points on solid-for-him 44% shooting.
Phoenix ranked 27th in defensive rating a season ago. The Suns are ninth this season. The Brooks Effect.
No really, Iâm asking.
Of the 16 playoff teams, only Portland and Orlando had a worse offensive rating in the regular season. The Thunder, meanwhile, had the best defense by a wide margin (again).
The Suns take a lot of threes (fifth-most) but theyâre 12th in 3-point percentage. Phoenix is reliant on the midrange with Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. The Suns donât get into the paint, which is why they donât get to the foul line (28th in free throw attempts).
They do get a ton of offensive rebounds, fourth in the NBA, so second-chance points will be crucial against the sometimes rebounding-challenged Thunder.
The Thunder has too many guys to throw at Devin Booker. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso are going to take turns harassing the Suns star. When the ball is out of Bookerâs hands, I expect a lot of chucking from Brooks and Jalen Green â who was excellent in the play-in games. Bold prediction: Green scores more points than Booker in this series.
The Suns need an outlier 3-point shooting night to steal a game.
A random Jordan Goodwin game where he goes 8-of-13 from three ⊠which is precisely how the Suns upset the Thunder on Jan. 4 in Phoenix.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks over Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jordan Ott of the Phoenix Suns watches game play during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Branden Carlson #15 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns tip off to start the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Oklahoma City Thunder mascot waves the team flag prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Jamaree Bouyea #17 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes the ball during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder gets tripped up during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball over Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives between CJ Huntley #22 of the Phoenix Suns and Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Payton Sandfort #14 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Amir Coffey #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: General view of the entrance to the court prior to the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: General view of the arena prior to the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: A practice ball bounces off the backboard prior to the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks over Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jordan Ott of the Phoenix Suns watches game play during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Branden Carlson #15 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns tip off to start the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Oklahoma City Thunder mascot waves the team flag prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Jamaree Bouyea #17 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes the ball during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder gets tripped up during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball over Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives between CJ Huntley #22 of the Phoenix Suns and Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Payton Sandfort #14 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Amir Coffey #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: General view of the entrance to the court prior to the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: General view of the arena prior to the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: A practice ball bounces off the backboard prior to the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Put a giant asterisk next to the regular-season series. One of those Suns wins came in Game 82, when the Thunder sat everybody.
In the biggest game of consequence between the two teams, on Dec. 10 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, the Thunder blasted the Suns by 49 points. That was the Thunderâs most lopsided win of the season, but it too comes with an asterisk. The Thunder had its Big Three available. The Suns were without Devin Booker.
Both teams were close to full health in their first meeting, a 123-119 Thunder win in Oklahoma City. Maybe that gives the Suns some hope.
In the Thunderâs 136-109 win against the Suns on Feb. 11, neither SGA nor Devin Booker played.
So yeah, even though itâs a robust five-game sample, throw the regular season series out.
The Suns enter this first-round series on short rest while the Thunder is as healthy and rested as it has been all season.
OKC swept New Orleans in the first round two years ago. OKC swept Memphis in the first round last year. OKC sweeps Phoenix this year.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Suns' Dillon Brooks calls Thunder 'foul baiters' ahead of NBA Playoffs