The Phoenix Suns booked their ticket to the playoffs on Friday after defeating the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament and will now face the OKC Thunder in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
The Suns have improved upon last season’s performance when they finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record. They finished the 2025-26 regular season as the eighth seed with a 45-37 record.
The Thunder, meanwhile, posted the best record in the league for the second consecutive season, going 64-18.
Let’s look at predictions, head-to-head records, schedule and more for the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs featuring the Suns and the Thunder.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder: Prediction | 2026 NBA Playoffs
The Thunder head into the playoffs as the reigning champions and are heavy favorites to come out of the first round against the Suns. Phoenix has improved upon last season’s performance with solid contributions from Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
Regardless, the Thunder still looks like the better team on paper, led by the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Phoenix could make the series interesting as the team took down OKC with all its starters during their meeting in January.
The Suns won 108-105, led by a 26-point performance from Jordan Goodwin.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder: Head-to-Head
Historically, the Suns have held the upper hand against the Thunder, winning 138 out of 264 games. They met five times in the regular season, with OKC leading the series 3-2.
This first-round series marks Phoenix’s first playoff matchup against OKC since the team relocated out of Seattle in 2008.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder: Schedule and Where to Watch | 2026 NBA Playoffs
Here is the schedule for the first-round series featuring the Suns and the Thunder:
- Suns @ Thunder | Sunday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Suns @ Thunder | Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Thunder @ Suns | Saturday, April 25, 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC
- Thunder @ Suns | Monday, April 27
- Suns @ Thunder | Wednesday, April 29
- Thunder @ Suns | Friday, May 1
- Suns @ Thunder | Sunday, May 3
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder: Betting Odds | 2026 NBA Playoffs
Moneyline: Suns (+575) vs. Thunder (-850)
Spread: Suns (+13.5) vs. Thunder (-13.5)
Total (O/U): Suns (o215.5) -110 vs. Thunder (u215.5) -110
Note: Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change closer to tipoff.
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