Thunder rout Suns for record 16th straight win

The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed into the NBA Cup semifinals on Wednesday after demolishing the Phoenix Suns 138-89, setting a new franchise record with their 16th consecutive victory.

The emphatic win also tied the best 25-game start in league history, giving Oklahoma City its 24th triumph of the season.

The Thunder will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the San Antonio Spurs in Saturday’s semifinal matchup in Las Vegas.

The two teams previously met on Nov. 28 in NBA Cup group play, when the Suns pushed the Thunder to the limit before falling 123-119 in what remains the closest contest of Oklahoma City’s current streak.

This time, there was no repeat of that tight battle.

Oklahoma City exploded for 36 or more points in each of the first three quarters, burying Phoenix early and handing the Suns the worst loss in their franchise history.

Before Wednesday, Phoenix’s biggest defeats were two 48-point blowouts during the 2017–18 season.

The Suns briefly tied the game in the opening minute but never led, staying within 12 with four minutes left in the second quarter before the Thunder unleashed a decisive scoring barrage.

Luguentz Dort, returning from a three-game absence due to an adductor injury, ignited the run with a 3-pointer that triggered a 20-6 surge to close the half.

Oklahoma City knocked down six triples in the final four minutes before halftime, including four straight to end the period — two coming from Dort — to enter the break with a commanding 74-48 lead.

The Thunder widened the gap even more in the third quarter as Phoenix endured a field-goal drought of more than three and a half minutes.

Oklahoma City piled up 16 points off nine Phoenix turnovers in the quarter and finished the game with 34 points off 21 Suns miscues.

The Suns’ 89 points marked their lowest output of the season, and their least productive performance last year also came against the Thunder.

Oklahoma City shot 59.1% from the field, their second-best mark of the season, and drained 22 3-pointers.

Twelve of the 13 Thunder players who saw action hit at least one shot from beyond the arc.

Chet Holmgren delivered a near-perfect night from long range, sinking all four of his attempts and finishing with 24 points.

Jalen Williams added 15, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting and tallied eight assists.

Tempers flared late in the third quarter when Phoenix’s Grayson Allen shoved Holmgren on a screen, leading to Allen’s ejection after review.

Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 16 points, followed by Jordan Goodwin with 15 and Jamaree Bouyea with 14.

Phoenix shot just 39.3% from the field, while Allen finished with 10 points before his early exit.

The only other team in NBA history to start a season 24-1 is the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors, who opened with 24 straight wins before dropping their 25th game.

Oklahoma City will try to break that record in Las Vegas as they continue their dominant run into the NBA Cup semifinals.