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Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 as Thunder tie NBA record for best start with 138-89 blowout of Suns

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 as Thunder tie NBA record for best start with 138-89 blowout of Suns | iNFOnews.ca
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen, left, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rifght, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder matched the best 25-game start to an NBA season by dominating the Phoenix Suns 138-89 in an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.

The Thunder’s 24-1 mark ties the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who won their first 24 games before finally losing.

Chet Holmgren added 24 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder, who set a franchise record with their 16th straight win. They advanced to the semifinals on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs.

It seemed this could be a tough one for the Thunder. Oklahoma City’s 123-119 win over the Suns in NBA Cup group play on Nov. 28 was its closest game during its win streak.

But Phoenix star Devin Booker missed his third straight game with a strained right groin. Booker scored 21 points in the previous matchup and said in the postgame that the “secret is out” about the Thunder’s league-leading defense.

It appears the Suns have more to learn. They shot 39.3% from the field and scored a season-low point total in the most lopsided loss in franchise history. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 16 points, but he made just 4 of 16 shots. It was the fewest points Oklahoma City has allowed this season.

Jalen Williams hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to give the Thunder a 74-48 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first half despite just eight shot attempts.

It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s 96th straight game with at least 20 points. He reached the total on a breakaway dunk that put the Thunder up 84-50 with 9:15 left in the third quarter.

Phoenix guard Grayson Allen was ejected after he shoved Holmgren and knocked him to the floor. The Thunder led 94-58 with 5:18 left in the third quarter when the two collided while Holmgren appeared to be setting a screen. Allen extended both arms, knocking Holmgren off balance, and was called for a Flagrant 2.

Up next:

Suns: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Thunder: Advanced to the NBA Cup semifinal on Saturday against San Antonio in Las Vegas.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 as Thunder tie NBA record for best start with 138-89 blowout of Suns | iNFOnews.ca
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie, left, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 as Thunder tie NBA record for best start with 138-89 blowout of Suns | iNFOnews.ca
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) loses control of the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 as Thunder tie NBA record for best start with 138-89 blowout of Suns | iNFOnews.ca
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) tries to get to a rebound before Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

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The Associated Press

Cliff Brunt

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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