The Phoenix Suns face elimination after losing Game 3 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-109. Devin Booker did not score in the fourth quarter, putting the Suns down 3-0 in the series.
Key points
Suns lost Game 3 to Thunder, 121-109
Devin Booker scoreless in the fourth quarter
Suns down 3-0 in the series
Game 4 scheduled for April 27
Game 5, if necessary, on April 29
Phoenix SunsOklahoma City ThunderDevin Booker
The Phoenix Suns are one loss away from having their surprise season come to an end.
The Oklahoma City Thunder put them in this position after taking Game 3 in comfortable fashion, 121-109, April 25 before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“Overall, they are a well-oiled machine,” Suns All-Star Devin Booker about the Thunder. “They're the champs for a reason. They know what they want to get every time down court and they definitely know what they are doing on the defensive end. We have some growing to do and some learning to do in those departments.”
Down 3-0, the Suns will look to extend the series in Game 4 April 27 at home.
If necessary, Game 5 is set for April 29 in Oklahoma City.
The Suns aren’t ready for their season to end, but the odds are stacked against them against the defending NBA champions, who have an average margin of victory of 20 points so far in this best-of-7 first-round series.
“I believe in our group no matter if we don’t have experience,” Suns forward Dillon Brooks said. “We have heart and we’re going to battle until the end. We’re ready to find adjustments and find a way to get ready and find the energy for Game 4.”
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Players are introduced before Game 3 of the Phoenix Suns playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Q&A
What was the score of the Suns vs Thunder Game 3?
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 121-109 in Game 3.
When is Game 4 of the Suns vs Thunder series?
Game 4 is scheduled for April 27 at the Suns' home court.
What does the Suns' loss mean for their season?
The Suns are one loss away from elimination, trailing the series 3-0.
Why was Devin Booker scoreless in the fourth quarter?
Devin Booker did not score in the fourth quarter during Game 3, contributing to the Suns' loss.
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and teammate Jalen Green (4) smile after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns guards Jalen Green (4) and Devin Booker (1) fight for a rebound against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia catches a loose ball as he watches his team take on the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams applauds a defensive effort by guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott yells out to his team as they play the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brrooks (3) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
1 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
1 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
2 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Players are introduced before Game 3 of the Phoenix Suns playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
3 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and teammate Jalen Green (4) smile after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
4 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
5 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
6 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
7 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
8 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns guards Jalen Green (4) and Devin Booker (1) fight for a rebound against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
9 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
10 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia catches a loose ball as he watches his team take on the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
11 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
12 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams applauds a defensive effort by guard Collin Gillespie (12) during Game 3 of their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
13 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott yells out to his team as they play the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
14 / 14
See the Phoenix Suns take on the Thunder in NBA Playoffs Game 3 action
Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brrooks (3) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
The Suns have put up a greater fight in the last two games, but Oklahoma City still managed to take a 3-0 lead without Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain) and Isaiah Joe (personal reasons), who isn’t with the team on the trip.
“Phoenix, with the home crowd, came in ready to go,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, whose bench scored 36 points to Phoenix’s 12. “They were fast to start the game, both in transition, and they moved the ball quickly. They are improving as the series goes, in terms of the way they are attacking us. There is stuff we need to look at to try to get that under control, but I thought our poise in the first quarter was really helpful in the game.”
The Suns trailed by as many as 16 points, allowed 50 points in the paint and shot just 13-of-41 from 3 in Game 3.
Phoenix was down Jordan Goodwin (calf) and Mark Williams (foot), but Grayson Allen played through a left hamstring strain to score seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in 17 minutes.
Here are takeaways from Saturday's game as Phoenix faces a must-win game on Monday.
Super Shai ‘had it spinning’
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already the toughest player to guard in the league even when he’s not making shots.
When he is — and getting to the line — the opposing team is left to only praise the reigning MVP for another special performance.
Scoring a game-high 42 points on 15-of-18 from the field in 38 minutes, Gilgeous-Alexander feasted on Phoenix from all angles.
He knocked down contested twos. Beat the shot clock with baskets.
He of course got to the line — 11-of-12 free throws.
Don’t forget the eight assists to three turnovers, four rebounds and that steal on Booker that led to a transition dunk to give Oklahoma City a 100-85 lead with 6:12 remaining.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
“We tried different matchups, tried to take it out of his hands,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “He got to the area where it's a little hard to take it out of his hands when he just rises up over us. Again, we tried different defenders just to try to get to his ball. Give him credit, he had it spinning. He had it spinning tonight.”
Brooks looks to take on the challenge to guarding Gilgeous-Alexander Game 4.
“I got him,” he said.
Love the approach, but if Brooks has early success, Oklahoma City will look to set a screen to get the switch and a favorable matchup.
Unless the Suns can defend better as a collective, it’ll be more of the same from Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 4.
Booker goes scoreless in 4th
Devin Booker found himself clenching his left ankle with both hands after tripping over Thunder guard Lu Dort’s extended left leg as he went to cut behind Dort early in the second half.
Booker checked out of the game with 9:16 left in the third after a Phoenix timeout, went to the locker room, but returned with 6:56 left in the quarter.
The Suns were down nine points when he exited and trailed by seven when he returned after Brooks made two free throws.
Still a game. Booker scored five quick points to make the difference six.
Timeout Oklahoma City.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and teammate Jalen Green (4) smile after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and teammate Jalen Green (4) smile after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 3 of their playoff series at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 25, 2026.
Crowd going crazy. Suns were right there.
Booker missed his last five shots in the game after that, going 0-for-3 in the fourth and committing two turnovers.
Yes, he hurt his ankle. Booker said he didn’t know if it was intentional by Dort, but he appeared good when first returning from the locker room.
Yes, Brooks had it going in the fourth in scoring 16 of his team-high 33 points in the quarter on 6-of-9 shooting, but Booker can’t go scoreless in the fourth if the Suns were going to win Game 3.
That just can’t happen.
OKC learned lessons, Suns learning theirs
The Suns found themselves down 62-53 at halftime largely due to how Oklahoma City finished the first and second quarter.
The Thunder closed the first quarter on an 18-4 run and finished 11-2 to end the second quarter.
That’s a 23-point differential in a nine-point game at the half.
The Thunder only outscored the Suns by three in the second half.
So based solely on numbers, Phoenix either lost the game in the first half or could’ve had a lead had they prevented Oklahoma City from closing the first and second quarter strong.
"We struggled with these games last year,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We really wanted to come out here and put our best foot forward across the board. Really play to our identity, give ourselves a chance. Tonight I think we did a really great job at staying present, being in the moment, doing what we can on each possession.”
Oklahoma City has learned its lessons.
Phoenix is learning its lessons.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin atdmrankin@gannett.comor contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at@DuaneRankin.
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