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Oklahoma City — The Thunder routed the Phoenix Suns 119-84 in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series Sunday at Paycom Center, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 25, Jalen Williams adding 22 and Chet Holmgren contributing 16 as Phoenix shot below 35 percent. Oklahoma City opened with a 17-2 burst, grabbed 19 offensive rebounds that produced 25 points and converted Suns mistakes — 19 turnovers — into 34 points. Down 30 with seven minutes to play, Suns coach Jordan Ott emptied his bench. Ott, in his first season as Phoenix coach, stood on the sideline alongside Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault, who is in his sixth season as Thunder coach. Both coaches are 41 and were born in 1985; neither played college basketball. Ott worked as a graduate assistant and video coordinator under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, later becoming an NBA video coordinator with the Atlanta Hawks, while Daigneault worked as a student manager under Jim Calhoun at Connecticut and rose through the college ranks. Ott led a rebuilding Suns team to 45 wins and was a Coach of the Year candidate until injuries affected Phoenix late in the season. The Suns reached the playoffs via the Play-In after a loss to Portland and a win over Golden State, while Oklahoma City had rested. Players and coaches said adjustments are necessary — keep the ball moving, avoid contested two-point attempts and limit transition — as Phoenix seeks to be competitive in a series many view as a steep test for the young coach.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News