Thunder take 1-0 lead into game 2 against the Suns

The Oklahoma City Thunder are leading the Phoenix Suns 1-0 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Thunder, who finished first in the conference, defeated the Suns 119-84 in their last game, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 25 points. The Thunder have a strong record against Western Conference teams and excel in rebounding, led by Chet Holmgren. The Suns, ranked seventh, have struggled in close games and are shooting slightly better than the Thunder’s opponents this season. In recent games, the Thunder have been on a winning streak, while the Suns have been inconsistent. Key players for the Thunder include Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren, while Devin Booker and Royce O’Neale are notable for the Suns. Injuries may impact both teams, with Thomas Sorber out for the Thunder and Mark Williams and Jordan Goodwin day-to-day for the Suns. QUESTION: How might the outcome of this playoff series influence the future strategies of both the Thunder and the Suns?