Thunder and Suns Gear Up for NBA Cup Quarterfinals
On Tuesday, both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns received encouraging updates ahead of their highly anticipated Western Conference quarterfinal matchup. The Thunder celebrated the return of their superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was removed from the injury report. Additionally, the team welcomed back defensive stalwarts Alex Caruso and Lu Dort, both of whom have been sidelined due to injuries.
Suns Battling Injuries
Conversely, the Suns continue to contend with their own injury challenges. While Jalen Green remains unavailable, the team saw a glimmer of hope with star guard Devin Booker being upgraded to questionable status as he navigates a groin injury. His potential return could significantly influence the Suns’ chances against the Thunder.
A Look at the NBA Cup Format
The Thunder and Suns will clash on Wednesday night, with both teams vying for a chance to advance in the NBA Cup knockout stage. This year marks only the third iteration of the NBA Cup, previously known as the in-season tournament, and fans are eager to see how it unfolds.
Oklahoma City is not just fighting for victory; they have a chance to etch their name in the record books. If the Thunder can secure a win, they will not only extend their winning streak to a franchise-best 16 games but also match the Golden State Warriors’ remarkable 24-1 start—an all-time record in league history.
Path to Las Vegas
Should they triumph, the Thunder will make their second consecutive trip to Las Vegas for the semifinals. The winner of their matchup will face off against the victor of the Los Angeles Lakers versus San Antonio Spurs duel happening on the opposite side of the bracket. The semi-final showdown is scheduled for Saturday in Sin City.
The stakes are high, as the ultimate survivor of the NBA Cup semifinals will earn the right to compete for the championship against the winner of the Eastern Conference semi-final between the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
Unique Scheduling for the Knockout Stage
Notably, all games during this knockout stage, including the quarterfinals and semifinals, are standalone events on the NBA calendar, ensuring no competing games. However, for the teams that fall short in the Thunder-Suns and Lakers-Spurs matchups, there remains the obligation of playing their 82nd game of the season. This game will be held in a yet-to-be-determined location, likely scheduled for either Friday night or Sunday night.
Increased National Exposure
All matches from the quarterfinals to the championship will be broadcast exclusively on Amazon Prime, granting each team additional national exposure. The Thunder are already leading the league in national TV appearances, which adds to the excitement surrounding their historic pursuit.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder set their sights on the NBA Cup, fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage of their journey. The anticipation builds as the team aims to chase history in this unique and competitive tournament.
