The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a commanding performance against the Phoenix Suns, securing a 125-112 victory on April 9, 2025, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. This NBA regular-season matchup eliminated the Suns from playoff contention and solidified the Thunder’s homecourt advantage throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Despite missing key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace, the Thunder showcased their depth, led by standout performances from Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Below, we dive into the player stats, key moments, and highlights from this pivotal game, optimized for fans to find detailed insights into the Thunder vs Suns 2025 player stats.
Match Summary
- Sport: Basketball
- League: National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Event Type: Regular Season Game
- Date: April 9, 2025
- Day: Wednesday
- Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
- Matchup: Okc Thunder vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats
- Final Score: Thunder: 125 Suns: 112
- Winner: ✅ Oklahoma City Thunder
Game Overview: Thunder vs Suns
The Thunder (68-14, 1st in the Western Conference) outplayed the Suns (35-45, 10th in the Western Conference) in a game that highlighted OKC’s resilience despite a shorthanded roster. Just 24 hours after a high-intensity win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder relied on their young stars and bench depth to rally past Phoenix in the third quarter, outscoring them 43-16 to seal the game. The Suns, unable to overcome their inconsistent season, saw their playoff hopes end with the loss. Fans can relive the action through highlights on NBA.com, ESPN, or Yahoo Sports.
Below, we break down the player stats and pivotal moments that defined this matchup.
Key Player Stats: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder’s ability to perform without their top rotational players underscored their championship pedigree, fresh off their 2025 NBA Finals win over the Indiana Pacers:
- Jalen Williams (F): The game’s standout, Williams poured in a game-high 33 points, with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, shooting 13-of-23 from the field. His performance in his home state of Arizona was electric, as he averaged 27.0 points across four career games at the Footprint Center, shooting 58.3% from the field. Highlights included a crafty driving layup and precise mid-range jumpers, showcasing his improved efficiency.
- Chet Holmgren (C): Holmgren delivered a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 12-of-13 free throws. His presence in the paint was crucial, both offensively and defensively, as he helped limit Phoenix’s interior scoring. His rim protection contributed to OKC’s 22 forced turnovers, which they converted into 23 points.
- Alex Caruso (G): Caruso’s defensive tenacity was on full display, particularly against Suns star Devin Booker. He held Booker to 19 points on 3-for-9 shooting (33.3%) and 0-for-3 from three, with a steal and forced airball in the first quarter. Caruso’s “masterful performance” was praised by coach Mark Daigneault, who noted his “pop” and activity.
- Adam Flagler (G): In garbage time, Flagler made an impact, blitzing Jalen Bridges for a steal that led to a fastbreak. His hustle exemplified OKC’s relentless defense, even late in the blowout.
- Team Effort: The Thunder’s 43-16 third-quarter run flipped a halftime deficit, driven by their league-best defensive rating (107.0). They shot efficiently, with 36 assists on 55.6% field goal shooting in a prior game, a trend that continued here.
The Thunder’s depth, despite missing stars, was a testament to their teamwork, as noted by GM Sam Presti: “This team’s chemistry and teamwork, despite its young age, is special”.
Key Player Stats: Phoenix Suns
The Suns, hampered by inconsistent play and injuries throughout the season, struggled to match OKC’s intensity, particularly in the second half:
- Devin Booker (G): Booker managed 19 points but was stifled by Alex Caruso, shooting 3-for-9 from the field and 0-for-3 from three. His attempts to attack the paint were thwarted, including a baseline drive where Caruso stole the ball, and a pull-up three that airballed.
- TyTy Washington Jr. (G): Washington Jr. contributed modestly with a 1-foot two-point shot, assisted by Oso Ighodaro, but his impact was limited as the Suns collapsed in the third quarter.
- Oso Ighodaro (F): Ighodaro recorded an assist on Washington Jr.’s basket but struggled against OKC’s frontcourt, particularly Holmgren. Exact stats were not detailed, but Phoenix’s 1-for-13 shooting in the third quarter highlighted their offensive woes.
- Team Struggles: The Suns shot poorly, making just 1-of-13 field goals in the third quarter, and committed 22 turnovers, which OKC turned into 23 points. Their 44.0% field goal percentage and 29.5% three-point shooting in a prior game reflected ongoing offensive struggles.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer lamented the team’s lack of aggression, noting, “The third quarter was the game. We didn’t come out and meet their level of aggressiveness”.
Game Highlights and Key Moments
- Third-Quarter Surge: The Thunder’s 43-16 third-quarter run was the game’s turning point, erasing a halftime deficit and burying Phoenix’s playoff hopes. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren fueled the run with efficient scoring and defensive stops.
- Caruso’s Defensive Masterclass: Alex Caruso locked down Devin Booker, forcing an airball, a steal, and a shot clock violation in the first quarter alone. His defense set the tone for OKC’s dominance.
- Williams’ Homecoming: Jalen Williams, a native of nearby Gilbert, Arizona, shined with 33 points, including a highlight-reel driving layup. His performance in Phoenix continued his trend of elevating his game at the Footprint Center.
- Suns’ Collapse: Phoenix led at halftime but was outscored 43-16 in the third, shooting 1-for-13. Their 22 turnovers and inability to counter OKC’s defense sealed their fate.
- Playoff Implications: The win clinched homecourt advantage for OKC throughout the playoffs, while the Suns (35-45) were officially eliminated from postseason contention.
Fans can watch video highlights, including Williams’ 33-point outburst and Caruso’s defensive plays, on NBA.com, ESPN, or Yahoo Sports.
Head-to-Head Context
The Thunder and Suns have a competitive history, with OKC holding a 45-38 edge in 83 games since 2004 (Thunder PPG 109.5, Suns PPG 108.2). Recent matchups in the 2024-25 season include:
- November 15, 2024: Thunder won 99-83 in an NBA Cup game, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28 points) and Lu Dort (15 points, 9 rebounds).
- February 5, 2025: Thunder routed the Suns 140-109, with Gilgeous-Alexander dropping 50 points and 8 rebounds in a dominant performance.
- April 9, 2025: The Thunder’s 125-112 win, led by Jalen Williams (33 points) and Chet Holmgren (22 points), eliminated Phoenix from the playoffs.
The Thunder won the season series, showcasing their dominance over a Suns team that struggled with consistency.
Why This Game Matters
For the Thunder, the 125-112 victory was a testament to their depth and championship mentality. Despite missing Gilgeous-Alexander, Hartenstein, Dort, and Wallace, OKC’s young core, led by Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, delivered a playoff-clinching performance. The win secured homecourt advantage throughout the 2025 playoffs, a critical edge for the defending champions who finished the regular season with a franchise-record 68 wins.
The Suns, meanwhile, saw their season end in disappointment. With a 35-45 record, injuries and inconsistent play derailed their playoff hopes. Devin Booker struggled against OKC’s elite defense, and the team’s third-quarter collapse highlighted their inability to match the Thunder’s intensity.
Where to Find More Stats and Highlights
For detailed box scores, play-by-play updates, and video highlights, fans can visit:
- NBA.com for official box scores and shot charts.
- ESPN.com for game summaries and player stats.
- Sofascore.com for live scores and H2H results.
- Yahoo Sports for highlights and play-by-play.
- The Oklahoman for in-depth Thunder coverage.
Predictions and Betting Insights
Pre-game odds heavily favored the Thunder, with an 85.62% win probability and a -8.5 spread. OKC covered the spread, and the game went over 220.5 total points. Key prop bets included Jalen Williams over 30.5 points (hit) and Devin Booker under 25.5 points (hit, with 19 points). The Thunder’s dominance as 1.16 favorites reflected their superior form.
Conclusion
The Oklahoma City Thunder vs Phoenix Suns matchup on April 9, 2025, showcased OKC’s championship depth in a 125-112 victory that eliminated Phoenix from playoff contention. Jalen Williams (33 points) and Chet Holmgren (22 points, 10 rebounds) led the Thunder, while Alex Caruso stifled Devin Booker (19 points). The Thunder’s 43-16 third-quarter run and 22 forced turnovers highlighted their elite defense and teamwork.
For the latest Thunder vs Suns player stats, highlights, and analysis, check out NBA.com, ESPN, or The Oklahoman. The Thunder now head into the 2025 playoffs with homecourt advantage, while the Suns regroup for the 2025-26 season.
