If there was a sign the Oklahoma City Thunder would have some problems, it’s now. With Jalen Williams injured again, it looks like the Thunder-Suns Game 3 clash will be a turning point in the series’ outcome. As OKC heads into its first road game of the playoffs, things aren’t looking great.
The first two games have been dashing to the point that the Thunder will be rallying for another sweep. However, concerns are now rising over the team’s chances of success. Sure, their Game 3 odds are still in good shape. But that’s how it looked for most of the previous runs, and yet each of them was a disaster for Oklahoma City.
Thunder-Suns Game 3 Will Be the Series’ Turning Point
If OKC doesn’t prove its mettle, the Thunder-Suns Game 3 showdown will be another bloodbath for the defending champs. It now rests on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren to carry the load. Who knows, they may even go up 3-0 if they play their cards right.
Game 3s Have Been Bad For the Thunder
If you’ve watched this Oklahoma City squad take on the playoffs, then you may have noticed a trend. They have not been great in recent Game 3s. In the last two Game 3s they played in the first round, it’s been either a dominant outing or a disappointing yet scrappy show of determination and will. The first was a strong performance from Holmgren, SGA, and J-Dub.
Game 3s have been a BIG struggle for OKC in the past, even against Memphis they were down 30
Would show a lot of growth and improvement from last postseason to take care of business Saturday
— Gur Singh (@HoopFocusX) April 24, 2026
But last year’s Game 3 was a different story. Had it not been for Ja Morant‘s injury, OKC may have lost. They were down by as many as 30 points and came back swinging in the second half. Sure, they won that one, but it doesn’t change the fact that they lost their next three Game 3s in that playoff run.
They lost to the Nuggets in OT and got hammered by Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. Let’s also not forget that Pacers fans love to troll the Thunder for their disappointing Game 3 performance in the Finals.
Will Game 3 vs Phoenix Disappoint for OKC?
As mentioned before, the outcome of the game can either be a crushing loss for Oklahoma City or a decisive win. For starters, Holmgren has to own his minutes and dominate the game with his defense and paint presence. Gilgeous-Alexander, on the other hand, must find a way to prove that he can carry the team on the road.
When SGA and Chet Holmgren are on the floor together this season, OKC has a +20.7 net rating in 1,154 minutes.
This is comfortably the best offensive engine + defensive anchor duo in the league today. pic.twitter.com/DBL9POpa9d
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) April 24, 2026
Ajay Mitchell also needs to step up with the bench, as he did during the season while taking up J-Dub’s minutes. He’s been phenomenal for most of the year despite his own injuries. In fact, he was a strong candidate for both Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year.
The Last Word
This team has been all about facing adversity and proving critics wrong. The Thunder have shown they can thrive even with some of their best players out. If they need to show they can still win with a chip on their shoulder, Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET is the perfect time to do it.
This is the moment they’ve been waiting for. It’s either a big day to prove their maturity, or another bad day to be a Thunder fan.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
