The Phoenix Suns will face the OKC Thunder on Friday in a crucial 2025 Emirates NBA Cup showdown. Phoenix, 3-0 in the in-season tournament, punches a ticket to the next round with a win. The Suns hope to pull off a road upset without Jalen Green (hamstring), Ryan Dunn (wrist) and Grayson Allen (quad).
Meanwhile, the surging Thunder, also unbeaten in the NBA Cup like their opponents, welcome the return of Jalen Williams. Oklahoma is 18-1 without the versatile forward, making the team even more fearsome with his presence.
The Thunder are likely moving to the next round of the NBA Cup whether they win or lose because of their plus-71 point differential. A win would make their entry official.
The Phoenix Suns will get their first crack at the defending champions on Friday. Phoenix has found its form, going 11-3 after starting 1-4, but it will be undermanned against the most dominant team in the league this season.
The Suns have a chance to pull off an upset if Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker and Mark Williams play well together. It will also be important for the Suns to get solid contributions from across the roster to stop the juggernaut Thunder.
The rich only got richer in the case of the OKC Thunder. Ajay Mitchell, who has been playing well without Jalen Williams, might see his minutes go down. With Williams back, Oklahoma City will feature its dreaded 1-2 punch of "J-Dub" and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder have been favored in every game this season, including their clash against the Suns. If they don't get complacent, they should get past their hobbled opponents.
Dillon Brooks is averaging 21.9 points per game in November, but against the Thunder, owners of the most efficient defense, he could struggle. Don't expect the feisty guard to get past his 17.5 (O/U) points prop.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander relishes going up against the Suns, averaging 37.4 ppg in his last five games against them. Despite Jalen Williams' return, he will likely blow past his 30.5 (O/U) points prop.
The Suns have had troubles against teams that play with physicality. Arguably, no team in the NBA plays with that style on both ends to an elite degree like the Thunder. Jalen Williams' return will have the Oklahoma City crowd pumped up, making it a blowout win for the home team.