This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/suns/onsi as Thunder Survive Tight Finish vs Suns to Secure NBA Cup Group A. The Phoenix Suns fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Friday's 123-119 loss, finishing at 3-1 in NBA Cup group play but failing to clinch the top spot as OKC went 4-0.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points and eight assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on to beat the Phoenix Suns 123-119 on Friday night to reach the knockout round of the NBA Cup.

Suns All-Star Devin Booker used the defending champion Thunder as a measuring stick to guage just how far his team has grown throughout the first month of the regular season. When the Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Rockets, many assumed 2025-26 would be the beginning of another rebuilding season.

After the Thunder collected a 123-119 win over the Phoenix Suns in Jalen Williams' return, they advanced to the eight-team knockout tournament. They won the West Group A with a perfect 4-0 record and plus-75 point differential.

Both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns may be without multiple key players in Friday night's matchup.

According to KFOR, anticipation is surging among Thunder enthusiasts who have been eagerly waiting for Williams's return to the hardwood. His impact on the game is not lost on the fans, with one, Jacob Carr,

Preview the Denver Nuggets' NBA matchup with Phoenix, including betting odds, tips, trends, and game information.

The Phoenix Suns are massive underdogs to the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, as the Thunder are 14-point favorites to bring home the win and officially stamp themselves as group winners in NBA Cup play.