Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 30 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 125-114 on Monday night at Paycom Center to remain unbeaten through four games.
Mitchell shot 10-for-16 from the field and 9-for-10 from the free-throw line, adding five assists and a block in 25 minutes. He started in place of Jalen Williams, who suffered a serious injury in Sunday’s 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gilgeous-Alexander went 11-for-18 from the field and finished with three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Jared McCain contributed 18 points, four assists and four three-pointers while starting for Cason Wallace, who was also injured against the Clippers.
Isaiah Hartenstein recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Aday Mara added 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Alex Caruso scored nine points in nine minutes before leaving with a sprained right ankle late in the second quarter. He did not return.
Oklahoma City was already without Chet Holmgren, who missed the game with right knee patellar tendinitis. Williams and Wallace will both require surgery, with their injuries potentially ending their seasons.
Despite the absences, the Thunder built a 67-53 halftime lead and extended their advantage to 89-72 on McCain’s three-pointer with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Oklahoma City scored 125 points on 44-for-86 shooting, including 12-for-32 from beyond the arc, and made 25 of 29 free throws.
Phoenix cut into the deficit in the second half but could not complete the comeback. Jalen Green led the Suns with 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting, while Dillon Brooks scored 19 and Miles Bridges added 17. Khaman Maluach finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Devin Booker endured a difficult night, scoring just three points on 1-for-7 shooting in 34 minutes, although he dished out seven assists. The Suns shot 43% from the field and made 18 of 50 three-point attempts.
Oklahoma City improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 at home, while Phoenix fell to 1-2 and remained winless on the road at 0-2.
The Suns will host Denver on Friday night, while the Thunder travel to Dallas on Wednesday.
