Monday night’s NBA slate features a Western Conference showdown between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. ET.
The Suns (1–1, 8th West) are coming off Saturday’s 131–122 home win over the Golden State Warriors. The Thunder (3–0, 3rd West) stayed undefeated on Sunday with a 108–101 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers, though they lost standout guard Jalen Williams to fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Phoenix Suns
- OUT: Mark Williams (Shoulder), Oso Ighodaro (Oblique)
Oklahoma City Thunder
- OUT: Jalen Williams (Ankle/Fibula), Chet Holmgren (Knee), Cason Wallace (Shoulder)
Looking at the odds, the Thunder are 10.5-point home favorites with -410 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Suns are +320 underdogs, with the game total set at O/U 220.5 points.
Suns vs. Thunder Game Preview
Phoenix Suns
The Suns quietly retooled during the offseason, sending Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to Charlotte for standout forward Miles Bridges and signing sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a two-year deal. While it is still too early to tell how the moves will pay off, it has very much remained the Devin Booker Show in Phoenix early on.
On Saturday, the superstar point guard erupted for 43 points (17–25 FG, 2–7 3PT), seven rebounds, and seven assists to lift the team to its first win of the season over the Warriors. The only problem is that Phoenix could be in trouble without MyCareer-level production from its superstar. The squad heads into Monday ranked 27th in the NBA in points per game (107) and has given up 120+ points in both contests so far. After Booker’s muted performance in the season opener, the Suns landed on the wrong end of a 41-point blowout against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder’s revenge tour has already taken a massive hit, with Jalen Williams suffering a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle in Sunday’s win over the Clippers. The squad won’t have much time to process the standout guard’s potential long-term absence, returning to the court one night later to face a rested Suns team.
That said, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says “We’ll be okay,” it’s hard to argue against it. With the reigning back-to-back MVP at the helm, Oklahoma City remains firmly in the mix to capture its second NBA title in three seasons — co-favorites with San Antonio, with +295 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Although the Thunder’s offense — save for SGA and his 27.7 points per game — has gotten off to a slow start, their characteristically dominant defense has helped pick up the slack. That said, the coverage could look weaker on Monday without Williams and anchor Chet Holmgren.
Suns vs. Thunder Pick, Best Bet
All signs point to the Thunder staying undefeated on Monday night against the Suns. Still, their lack of rest, coupled with the absences of several key contributors, could thwart another blowout. Fully rested, Phoenix should channel the momentum from its first win of the season and keep things competitive — or possibly stage an upset — against the Western Conference powerhouse.
