Suns on verge of sweep after SGA explodes for playoff career-high 42 points in Game 3

Phoenix threw everything at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he kept responding en route to a 121-109 point win Saturday afternoon

PHOENIX (KYMA) - After going down 2-0 to the Thunder in Oklahoma City, there was hope the Suns could make a little bit of a comeback and take game three when they returned back home to Phoenix at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Instead, the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went nuclear, scoring a playoff career-high 42 points on 15-of-18 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 121-109 win over the Suns, leaving Phoenix on the brink of being swept.

Down one of their top options in Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that more opportunities would come his way, leading to his historic performance.

"I'm very fortunate to be in this position, but regardless of who's out there, I get to go out there and play my game. That's just the role I have on this team, and my coaches and teammates do a really good job of letting me be in my space," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "With our second ball handler out, naturally at the end of the shot clock and at the start of possessions, the ball is going to be in my hands more. So it's a little bit more opportunity."

Phoenix showed flashes early, with Dillon Brooks leading the way offensively. Brooks scored a team-high 33 points, helping the Suns build an early lead in the first quarter, but SGA and the Thunder kept chipping away until they ended the quarter up five.

The Suns were able to regain the lead one more time, but it didn't last long as OKC was able to run away with the game.

"I feel like there isn’t something that we can run into that we haven't seen, kind of prepared for and worked on, and tonight was no different," said Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren. "When the other team adjusts, you have to adjust with them, and I feel like we did a good job of that tonight."

Phoenix coach Jordan Ott said his team tried multiple defensive looks but could not slow down Gilgeous-Alexander.

"Give him credit...42 points on 18 shots," Ott said. "We tried different matchups, tried to take it out of his hands. He got to areas where it’s hard to do that when he just rises up over you."

Despite the deficit in the series, Ott emphasized the importance of staying focused on each game.

"These series, you've got to look at it game by game," he said. "All our energy and effort will be to come back in the building tomorrow with the idea that we need to get better, adjust and fine tune to be ready Monday night."

The Suns will need to do just that to extend their season.

No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series, leaving Phoenix facing long odds heading into Game 4.

Still, players remain confident they can respond.

"I believe in our group," Brooks said. "We have heart, and we’re going to battle to the end."

The Oregon product mentioned how he thinks his squad needs to be more detail oriented to have a chance against the best team in the NBA.

Devin Booker noted the home crowd’s presence but acknowledged the challenge ahead.

"It was pretty loud," Booker said. "We've seen the Finals in here before, that was another level, but it was definitely loud."

Now, with their backs against the wall, the Suns return to the court for Game 4 Monday at 6:30 p.m. looking to avoid a first-round sweep and keep their season alive.