The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at Paycom Center. OKC enters the matchup on a 15-game winning streak after defeating Phoenix 123-119 in group play on November 28. Suns star Devin Booker highlighted the Thunder's aggressive defense in postgame comments.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (23-1) face the Phoenix Suns (14-10) in the NBA Cup quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, broadcast on Prime Video. The winner advances to the semifinals in Las Vegas.
In their previous NBA Cup group play meeting on November 28, OKC edged Phoenix 123-119 at home. The Thunder's defense limited Suns guard Devin Booker to 21 points on 5-for-13 shooting, forcing five turnovers. OKC committed 22 fouls, leading to 24 free-throw attempts for Phoenix, with Booker taking 11.
Booker spoke candidly about the Thunder's physical style after that game. "The secret is out," Booker said. "They do speed you up. They play aggressive. They'll grab and they'll hold, but it's never when you're in a shooting position. It's always on the handle or on your drives when they get away with it." He added with a chuckle, "Actually, tonight they probably called 40-50% of (OKC’s fouls), which was good."
Booker also praised OKC's defensive versatility: “They have multiple defenders out there. They have their switching partners and guys who get it after it every time. They’re a tough matchup.”
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault dismissed the comments, focusing on the game itself. "I didn't hear that," Daigneault said Tuesday. "We just focus on what’s between the lines. Everybody says stuff after the game... We just focus on what we can control between the lines."
Daigneault expressed respect for Phoenix's competitiveness. "I've got a lot of respect for their competitiveness," he said. "They're an every-possession team on both ends of the floor. They play with a major edge. They're organized on offense and they're disciplined on defense, so they don't beat themselves."
OKC has won its last 15 games by an average of 18.9 points, but the four-point victory over the Suns was its closest margin during the streak. Phoenix has shown resilience this season after trading Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the offseason, emerging as a feisty contender.