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Jalen Green expressed frustration over the Thunder's physical play and officiating during the Suns' Game 1 playoff loss. Both Green and Devin Booker voiced their concerns about the lack of calls and the intensity of the Thunder's defense.
Jalen Green frustrated by Thunder's physicality, officiating in Suns' Game 1 playoff loss
Jalen Green’s eyebrows dipped toward NBA official Marc Davis as the first-quarter buzzer sounded.
Moments later, Devin Booker joined the discussion, and frustration began to simmer. The physical play of the Thunder defensively began to take its toll while Phoenix was also upset with the lack of calls on its own end.
But none of it caught Green off guard. Not in April.
“They’re a physical team — they’re very physical,” Green said. “I got to play them last year. Same physicality. We’ve got to be able to take that pressure and create off it.”
Instead, Phoenix folded under it.
The OKC Thunder dismantled the Phoenix Suns 119-84 in Game 1 to take a 1-0 series lead on Sunday night at Paycom Center.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) signs shoes before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Jalen Green expressed frustration regarding the Thunder's physical play during the game.
Devin Booker joined Jalen Green in voicing concerns about the lack of calls from the officials.
The Suns struggled with the Thunder's physical defense and felt there were insufficient calls in their favor.
Players often feel that officiating can impact the game's outcome, especially in high-stakes playoff situations.

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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) signs a toy before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans wait to have items signed before Game 1 of their the round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Phoenix guard Devin Booker (1) walks into the arena before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Oklahoma City guard Jalen Williams (8) walks in the arena before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks in the arena before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) signs shoes before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) signs shoes before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) signs a toy before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans wait to have items signed before Game 1 of their the round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Phoenix guard Devin Booker (1) walks into the arena before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Jalen Williams (8) walks in the arena before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks in the arena before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Booker led the Suns with 23 points and six rebounds, while Green chipped in with 17 points and five rebounds in the loss. Game 1 marked Green’s first crack at OKC since landing in Phoenix as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant to Houston last summer.
Green’s early takeaways from Sunday? Rebounding and whistles.
“I feel like there was a couple bad calls with how we’re gonna be playing in the playoffs,” Green said.
“And with how the refs allow them to play, I think it's gotta be both ways. Or just call the same foul both ways. One or the other. It's the playoffs. You want to be aggressive at the end of the day.”
However, aggression belonged to OKC.
The Thunder smothered Phoenix from the opening tip, cutting off Booker’s preferred mid-range looks and blowing up plays before they could develop. Lu Dort’s burly frame and choppy defense — per usual — was at the center of it.
Phoenix turned it over 19 times and OKC turned those mistakes into 34 points. But ball security wasn’t the only issue.
Without starting big Mark Williams (left foot soreness), the Suns had no answer for OKC’s size. The duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein controlled the interior, overwhelming Phoenix on both ends.
“I think it's a team thing for sure,” Suns big man Oso Ighodaro said. “All of us, including myself, can be more physical on those guys.”
Sunday served as Ighodaro’s playoff debut. He grabbed nine rebounds while going scoreless.
“We’ve just got to rebound — us five," Ighodaro said. "That's what they did as a team, so we've got to mesh that. Move on as fast as possible, learn from that game and be ready to go out there and compete.”
OKC dominated the paint 52-24 and dictated every possession with its size, speed and pressure. Even past success offered little comfort.
Phoenix went 1-3 against the Thunder in the regular season, with its lone win coming when it flipped the rebounding margin in January. That formula never showed up Sunday.
Allik Sezer, left, and Mingo Ward ride horses outside the Paycom Center across from Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Jordan Meers carries his son, Cannon Meers, 3, on his shoulders as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Shawna Maxwell, 11, looks at a mirror after getting her face painted at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
A child carries a basketball in a stroller as Thunder fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Livi Friscic, 1, dances with Thunder fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The Thunder Girls entertain a crowd as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Dakotah and Holli Lyes get a photo taken as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans watch the Thunder Drummers at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
A Thunder fan shoots a basket at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Marcos Castro stands in a line at Scissortail Park as fans gather before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take a photo at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Kiyarah Caldwell, 15, hands out 3D-printed miniature Converse Shai 001 shoes at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Jake Tankersley performs for Thunder fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The Thunder Drummers perform at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Jordan Morris works on a painting at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Thunder fan Chris Bolling walks with other fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Kiyarah Caldwell, 15, holds a bag of 3D-printed miniature Converse Shai 001 shoes as she hands them out at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans wait to cross a street outside Paycom Center as fans gathered at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Allik Sezer, left, and Mingo Ward ride horses outside the Paycom Center across from Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Allik Sezer, left, and Mingo Ward ride horses outside the Paycom Center across from Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Jordan Meers carries his son, Cannon Meers, 3, on his shoulders as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Shawna Maxwell, 11, looks at a mirror after getting her face painted at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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A child carries a basketball in a stroller as Thunder fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Livi Friscic, 1, dances with Thunder fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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The Thunder Girls entertain a crowd as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Dakotah and Holli Lyes get a photo taken as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans watch the Thunder Drummers at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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A Thunder fan shoots a basket at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Marcos Castro stands in a line at Scissortail Park as fans gather before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans take a photo at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Kiyarah Caldwell, 15, hands out 3D-printed miniature Converse Shai 001 shoes at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Jake Tankersley performs for Thunder fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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The Thunder Drummers perform at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Jordan Morris works on a painting at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Thunder fan Chris Bolling walks with other fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Kiyarah Caldwell, 15, holds a bag of 3D-printed miniature Converse Shai 001 shoes as she hands them out at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Fans wait to cross a street outside Paycom Center as fans gathered at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
And as Suns coach Jordan Ott pointed out, April doesn’t care about regular-season victories.
“The physicality of the playoffs is definitely different,” Ott said. “I think we saw it earlier, seeing them so many times back to both Cup games. We’ve got to take care of the ball better. Their physicality, athleticism, size and their personnel forces you to continuously make good decisions and quick decisions.”
Now, the margin for error is already thin.
Game 2 arrives Wednesday night, and the Suns don’t have the luxury of easing into this series. Not against a team built like the Thunder.
“We got to find some solutions between now and Wednesday night,” Ott said. “That's what these series are. Every night starts at 0-0. Every game is just one game, first or four. You’ve got to approach every single 48 minutes just like that.”
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’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' Jalen Green frustrated by Thunder's physicality, officiating