The Thunder crushed the Suns with a leadership performance from Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams with 28 points and a strong presence in the third quarter
Jalen Williams scored 19 of his 28 points in the third quarter, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an impressive 136-109 victory over the decimated Phoenix Suns for the second time this year on Wednesday.
Isaiah Joe added 21 points, tying his season high with six 3-pointers, while Kenrich Williams scored 15 points off the bench. The Thunder ran away with 29 points in the second quarter and took a 103-66 lead late in the third.
Dillon Brooks had 23 points and Royce O’Neale 12 with four 3-pointers for the Suns, who have lost four of their last six games.
Williams return and Thunder dominance
Williams, playing for the second game after missing 10 games with a biceps injury, was 11/12 from the field, with five assists and four rebounds. He left with four minutes left in the third quarter after a missed layup and did not return.
The Thunder had seven players in double figures and shot 58.4% from the field while shooting 15-of-36 from three. The Oklahoma City team had 74 points off the bench, with Joe and Kenrich Williams leading the way, while Jaren McCain and Aaron Wiggins each added 12 points and Jaylin Williams 11.
Absences and consequences for the Suns
The Suns struggled without their key players: Devin Booker (ankle injury management), Jalen Green (bicep injury management) and Grayson Allen (knee). Brooks picked up his 16th technical of the season in the second quarter, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension and a $5,000 fine.
The Thunder are still without MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has missed the past four games with an abdominal injury and will be reevaluated after the All-Star break.
Highlights and progress of the match
The Thunder led 37-25 after the first quarter and went on a 31-12 eight-minute stretch in the second quarter to pull within 73-44 at halftime, trailing 75-52. Joe hit four 3-pointers in the second quarter and McCain hit eight straight points, including two 3-pointers. McCain played in his third game with the Thunder after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline.
Next games
Thunder: Next match with Los Angeles Clippers.
Suns: Next game with Denver Nuggets.
