Suns Struggle in Game 1 Loss to Thunder

Phoenix must fix turnovers and defensive lapses to even series in Game 2

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:58am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between two teams, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the action on the court.The Suns' struggles in Game 1 against the Thunder are reflected in this cubist-inspired illustration, capturing the chaos and intensity of the playoff matchup.Phoenix Today

The Phoenix Suns suffered an ugly 110-95 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Phoenix committed 19 turnovers that led to 34 points for OKC, and the team's All-Star guard Devin Booker was ejected late in the game after a heated exchange with Warriors forward Draymond Green.

Why it matters

The Suns were heavily favored to win this series, but their poor performance in Game 1 has raised questions about their ability to bounce back. Turnovers and defensive breakdowns were major issues, and the team will need to address these problems quickly to avoid falling into an early hole.

The details

Phoenix struggled mightily on both ends of the floor in the Game 1 loss. Offensively, the Suns committed 19 turnovers that led to 34 points for the Thunder. Defensively, they had trouble containing OKC's balanced attack, allowing the Thunder to shoot 48% from the field. The game also featured a heated exchange between Suns star Devin Booker and Warriors forward Draymond Green that resulted in both players being ejected late in the contest.

  • The Game 1 loss occurred on April 19, 2026.
  • Game 2 of the series is scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The players

Devin Booker

The All-Star guard for the Phoenix Suns who was ejected late in Game 1 after a confrontation with Draymond Green.

Draymond Green

The veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors who was also ejected late in Game 1 after the exchange with Devin Booker.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Suns' first-round playoff opponent, who pulled off the upset in Game 1 behind a balanced offensive attack and the Suns' turnovers.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think we're an excuse-making team,”

— Devin Booker, Suns Guard

What’s next

The Suns will look to even the series in Game 2 on April 21 before the series shifts to Oklahoma City.

The takeaway

The Suns' poor performance in Game 1 exposed some concerning issues that they must address quickly if they want to avoid falling into an early hole in the series. Cutting down on turnovers and tightening up their defense will be key priorities heading into Game 2.