The Republic analyzes the Suns’ play-in win, what’s next
Duane Rankin and Bob McManaman discuss the Phoenix Suns’ win over the Warriors to take the eighth playoff seed and their next opponent, the Thunder.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Phoenix Suns begin the 2026 NBA playoffs on April 19, against defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.
Game 1 of this best-of-7 first round series will be televised by ABC at 12:30 p.m., Arizona time.
Phoenix is back in the playoffs after failing to reach the postseason last year.
The Suns advanced to the Western Conference playoffs as an eighth seed by defeating the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In Tournament finale April 17 in Phoenix.
Oklahoma City is the top overall seed in the playoffs. The Thunder went 3-2 against Phoenix in the regular season.
The Suns have Mark Williams (left foot soreness) and Grayson Allen (left hamstring strain) listed as questionable. Thomas Sorber is the only Oklahoma City player listed on the team’s injury report as he’s out under right ACL surgical recovery.
Oklahoma City is a 14.5-point favorite to win Game 1 over the Suns.
Game 2 is April 22 in Oklahoma City.
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Williams out, Allen in
The Phoenix Suns will be without Mark Williams for a second straight game with what the team is describing as left foot soreness. The 7-footer missed 15 consecutive games with left foot third metatarsal stress reaction.
Grayson Allen is available to play after being listed as questionable with a left hamstring strain. He was available for the play-in win over Golden State, but didn’t play.
“Just all hands on deck,” said Suns coach Jordan Ott pregame. “You never know the situation that could come up. He’s been through the wars. He can hop in there end of game, end of quarter. Some situations that we would need him. So he was ready to go.”
The Suns will start Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks and Oso Ighodaro in place of Williams.
The Thunder are starting Lu Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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