The Thunder’s 23-1 record entering Wednesday marked the second-best 24-game start in NBA history. William Purnell / Getty Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to look terrifying in their NBA title defense. On Wednesday, the Thunder led by as many as 53 points in a 138-89 rout of the Phoenix Suns.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points and handed out eight assists. Chet Holmgren added 24 points and three blocks as the Thunder improved to 24-1 this season and advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals, where they will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs.
The Thunder are tied with the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best record through 25 games in NBA history. Those Warriors went on to win 73 regular-season games, the most ever in a season. This Thunder team looks capable of challenging that record, though Oklahoma City — always mindful of living in the moment — is loath to talk about it.
Mentally, we’re still here 😤 pic.twitter.com/4R0ixL5Kfb
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 11, 2025
Suns offense slowed without Devin Booker
The Suns were missing leading scorer Devin Booker, who was sidelined for a third consecutive game with a right groin strain. They didn’t have near enough offensive firepower to contend with the Thunder’s top-ranked defense. On the first play of the game, Thunder guard Cason Wallace pried the ball away from Suns guard Collin Gillespie and scored a transition two.
Suns guard Grayson Allen was ejected in the third quarter after forcefully shoving Thunder forward Chet Holmgren as Holmgren set a screen and Allen tried to get through it, leading to a brief altercation.
Thunder built big first-half lead then cruised
The Thunder built a 26-point halftime lead, a lead they more than doubled in the second half. Branden Carlson’s alley-oop dunk with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter increased Oklahoma City’s lead to 53 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander watched the entire fourth quarter from the bench. He’ll be well-rested as Oklahoma City attempts to do one of the few things it failed at last season: winning the NBA Cup. The Thunder lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Cup championship last year. Oklahoma City needs two wins in Las Vegas to become the third Cup champion since the NBA started this tradition in 2023.
The Thunder collected their 16th straight win, a franchise record.