Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pointed to defensive control and paint protection as the foundation of the team’s 119-84 Game 1 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Paycom Center.
“We know as a team offensively the most efficient and sustainable offense is when you’re in the paint, touching the paint, making plays from there,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So defensively we just do our best to keep teams out the paint and when they do just try to make it hard for them.”
He added that the approach is not new for Oklahoma City. “Nothing different than who we’ve been the past couple seasons. Just us playing to our identity.”
The Thunder limited Phoenix’s interior efficiency and built a decisive margin in paint scoring, a key factor in the 35-point win. Gilgeous-Alexander also contributed defensively with a rim protection sequence that helped swing momentum.
Phoenix entered the series with multiple scoring threats, but Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized discipline over matchup focus. “Dillon’s going to affect the game regardless. That’s what makes him a really good player,” he said, referencing Suns forward Dillon Brooks.
He expanded on the defensive mindset against elite scorers. “You just got to try to make them do the things that they’re not comfortable doing. No different in that aspect.”
Oklahoma City also controlled the game despite an uneven shooting night from Gilgeous-Alexander, who still finished with 25 points. He credited team balance for maintaining pressure throughout.
“We know as a team no matter whether you win or lose, you focus on the things that you can control in the basketball game. And makes and misses aren’t one of them,” he said.
Defensive execution remained the constant. “The energy, the effort, the communication, the togetherness on the defensive end, there’s no makes and misses with that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander also highlighted the impact of teammates Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who helped stretch the lead with efficient two-way play. “They just played to their identity and didn’t step outside of it,” he said. “Nothing no secret sauce, secret formula, just two really good basketball players being themselves.”
The Thunder guard also addressed the emotional weight of playing on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. “It’s huge for the city. And it’s so much bigger than just a basketball game,” he said. “We just try to go out there, compete, give them a show.”
Looking ahead, Gilgeous-Alexander stressed urgency despite the strong start. “When in the playoffs over a run like when you have a chance to win games you need to win games,” he said. “Now this team’s going to get better throughout the series.”
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Oklahoma City leads 1-0 heading into Game 2 on Wednesday.
