**Who**: Phoenix Suns (12-7) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (18-1)
**When**: 7:30 pm Arizona Time
**Where**: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
**Watch**: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
The Phoenix Suns have their toughest test of the season on Friday night. It only gets tougher with the season debut of OKC star Jalen Williams, who will make his return to the lineup tonight after missing the first 19 games of the season for the Thunder.
The Thunder have not lost at home this season, sporting a perfect 9-0 record. They are 44-6 on their home floor over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Phoenix is just 4-4 on the road and will be shorthanded with Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn all out.
With NBA Cup implications on the line, it figures to be an intense game in a rowdy environment. The Thunder have been a machine this season despite missing several key players and star Jalen Williams for the entire season. Now at full strength, they will be a tall task for a shorthanded Suns team on the road. They did have a late addition to the injury report with Isaiah Hartenstein ruled out due to an ankle injury.
* Grayson Allen – OUT (Right Quadriceps Contusion)
* Ryan Dunn – OUT (Right Wrist Sprain)
* Jalen Green – OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
* Isaiah Hartenstein — OUT (Ankle)
* Aaron Wiggins — OUT (Left Adductor Strain)
* Nikola Topic — OUT (Surgery Recovery)
There are several possibilities to monitor tonight [regarding the NBA Cup](/suns-schedule/93606/phoenix-suns-nba-cup-scenarios-point-differential-qualification-okc-lakers-grizzlies-clippers). Phoenix enters a perfect 3-0 in group play, and could secure either a Group A victory or a wild card spot tonight.
The winner of this game takes Group A for the NBA Cup and secures a spot in Vegas for the “Knockout Rounds”. The Knockout Rounds will consist of single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals (played in NBA team markets on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 10) and Semifinals and Championship (played in Las Vegas on Dec. 13 and Dec. 16, respectively).
Depending on how the Suns-Thunder game goes, a lot of eyes could be on that Clippers-Grizzlies game for point differential purposes. That game starts a half hour after Phoenix’s.
Matching the energy of OKC early will be the key. If they can avoid a slow start and fire back early, they will give themselves a shot at at least remaining competitive. The goal should be to keep it close until the 4th at the very least to give yourself a fighting chance.
Phoenix will need Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks to be at their best to have a chance in this one. At least 50+ combined (efficient) points will be needed from this duo, plus help from the role players.
Taking care of the basketball is paramount against this aggressive Thunder defense. That starts with **Collin Gillespie**, who made his 1st start of the season on Wednesday night, tallying 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting (4-of-9 3FG), 9 assists, and 2 steals.
Defense is just as important, as the Suns and Thunder are the top 2 teams in the NBA in steals per game. Phoenix has to be on its A-game in terms of treating each possession with care. If they make a lazy pass or don’t anticipate the “in your face” nature of OKC’s defense, they will turn it over a lot.
Dominating the interior with Isaiah Hartenstein out should be another goal. Mark Williams is playing the best basketball of his career of late, so getting him involved early and often should be the game plan to alleviate some pressure of Booker and Brooks offensively.
No one expects them to win, including most Suns fans. This is one of those nights where it feels like you’re playing with house money. Nothing to lose, a lot to gain. Let’s see what happens.
The Suns lose by quite a bit. I’m sorry. OKC is a machine.
See More: