Thunder and Suns Set for Playoff Rematch

Two NBA powerhouses clash in first-round series after dominant regular seasons

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:53pm

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A dynamic, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant team colors.The Thunder and Suns renew their playoff rivalry in a first-round series filled with high stakes and star power.Oklahoma City Today

The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off an NBA championship and a 64-win regular season, will face the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The two teams met in last year's Finals, with the Thunder emerging victorious, and will now renew their postseason rivalry.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the league's top teams and biggest stars, setting the stage for an exciting and highly anticipated playoff series. The Thunder are looking to defend their title, while the Suns aim to avenge last year's Finals loss and make another deep playoff run.

The details

The Thunder and Suns will square off in a best-of-seven first-round series, with the winner advancing to the next round of the playoffs. Both teams had dominant regular seasons, with the Thunder posting a 64-18 record and the Suns finishing 62-20.

  • The series will begin on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026.
  • The series will shift to Phoenix for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, April 22 and Friday, April 24, 2026, respectively.
  • If necessary, Game 5 will be played on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
  • Game 6, if required, will take place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Phoenix.

The players

Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending NBA champions, led by superstar forward Kevin Durant and a deep, talented roster.

Phoenix Suns

A perennial playoff contender, the Suns are led by All-Star guard Devin Booker and are seeking to avenge last year's Finals loss to the Thunder.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for the opportunity to defend our title and take on a great team like the Suns. It's going to be a tough series, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Kevin Durant, Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder

“Last year's Finals loss still stings, but we've got a chance to redeem ourselves. We're going to leave it all on the court and do everything we can to beat the Thunder.”

— Devin Booker, Guard, Phoenix Suns

What’s next

The winner of this series will advance to the Western Conference semifinals to face the winner of the Clippers-Grizzlies first-round matchup.

The takeaway

This first-round clash between the Thunder and Suns promises to be a thrilling and highly competitive series, featuring some of the NBA's biggest stars and best teams. The outcome could set the tone for the rest of the playoffs in the Western Conference.