Suns Seek Upset of Top-Seeded Thunder in Playoff Opener

Phoenix rides momentum from play-in win over Warriors into first-round series

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.The Suns and Thunder's defensive clash promises an intense first-round playoff series.Oklahoma City Today

The Phoenix Suns, fresh off a play-in victory over the Golden State Warriors, will take on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Suns are looking to build on their recent success, while the defending champion Thunder aim to defend their title and become the first team since 2017-18 to repeat as champions.

Why it matters

This series features a clash of two of the league's best defensive teams, with the Thunder boasting the NBA's top defensive rating and the Suns not far behind. The outcome could set the tone for the rest of the Western Conference playoffs.

The details

The Suns earned the No. 8 seed in the West by defeating the Warriors in the play-in finale, led by Jalen Green's 36 points. The Thunder, meanwhile, have not played in a week heading into Game 1 on Sunday. Both teams excel at forcing turnovers, with the Thunder leading the league in points off turnovers during the regular season.

  • The Suns defeated the Warriors in the play-in finale on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • Game 1 of the first-round series between the Suns and Thunder is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2026.

The players

Jalen Green

The Suns' leading scorer in their play-in win over the Warriors, pouring in 36 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's star guard, looking to lead his team to a repeat championship.

Chet Holmgren

The Thunder's young center, emphasizing the need to focus on the present rather than past successes.

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What they’re saying

“'They're going to come in, play hard, play their game, but I think if we bring the same energy that we brought (Friday night) and getting stops, playing defense, getting out and running, we can use that to our advantage. It should be a good series.'”

— Jalen Green, Suns Player

“'It's an opportunity. I think just going through last year and realizing that's so far down the line. So many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals clinching game. ... So many things have to go our way that aren't in our control and so many things we have to control that are hard to control at this level for a long period of time for us to have that opportunity.'”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Player

“'You have to try to carry over the experiences that you learn from, but you can't carry over the result, because the result means absolutely nothing. If you're sitting here in the playoffs saying, 'Oh, we won last year,' that's not going to win you a playoff series or a game or get a stop on a possession.'”

— Chet Holmgren, Thunder Player

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This first-round clash between the Suns and Thunder features two of the league's premier defensive teams, setting the stage for a hard-fought and potentially low-scoring series. The outcome could have major implications for the rest of the Western Conference playoffs.