Suns Rout Thunder as Reserves Take Center Stage in Finale

Phoenix cruises to 135-103 victory over Oklahoma City in regular season finale with starters resting

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting featuring vibrant, energetic brushstrokes in neon shades of orange, yellow, and blue, capturing the fast-paced action and raw athleticism of a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder.The Suns' reserves put on a dazzling display of scoring and hustle, overwhelming the resting Thunder starters in a high-octane regular season finale.Oklahoma City Today

The Phoenix Suns closed out the regular season with a dominant 135-103 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. With both teams resting their starters and key rotational players, it was the reserves who took center stage, led by career-high performances from Jamaree Bouyea (27 points) and Ryan Dunn (20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) for the Suns. The Thunder's Luguentz Dort was the only starter to play significant minutes, but he had a quiet game with just 6 points. The Suns took control early with a 21-0 run and never looked back, leading by as many as 26 points.

Why it matters

This game had no bearing on the playoff standings, as both teams had their positions locked in prior to the finale. However, it provided an opportunity for the reserves to showcase their skills and potentially earn more playing time heading into the postseason. The Suns' depth was on full display, while the Thunder rested their starters to keep them fresh for the playoffs.

The details

The Suns jumped out to a 26-5 lead early in the first quarter, sparked by a 21-0 run. During that stretch, the Thunder missed 13 consecutive shots and went more than six minutes without scoring. Ryan Dunn scored 10 of his 20 points during that run, while Koby Brea added 20 points off the bench for Phoenix. Khaman Maluach also had a strong game for the Suns with 18 points and 14 rebounds. The Thunder were led by Branden Carlson's 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Payton Sandfort added 23 points off the bench.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Jamaree Bouyea

A Phoenix Suns player who scored a career-high 27 points in the game.

Ryan Dunn

A Phoenix Suns player who scored a season-high 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists.

Luguentz Dort

The only Oklahoma City Thunder starter who played significant minutes, scoring 6 points with 2 steals.

Branden Carlson

An Oklahoma City Thunder player who led the team with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Payton Sandfort

An Oklahoma City Thunder player who scored 23 points off the bench.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and talent of the Phoenix Suns' roster, as their reserves stepped up in a big way to secure a dominant victory over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. While the result had no bearing on the playoff standings, it provided valuable experience and confidence for the Suns' bench players heading into the postseason.