PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder, sitting atop the Western Conference with a 41-13 record, travel to Phoenix to face the 32-22 Suns in a Wednesday night matchup. Oklahoma City enters as a defensive juggernaut, ranking first in good defense against shots attacking the rim while also posting the league's lowest turnover rate. These teams have played three times already this season with OKC leading the series 2-1, and every game has come down to the final minutes with each contest decided by five points or fewer. The Thunder will be without star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal injury, a significant absence that shifts playmaking duties to supporting cast members. Phoenix counters with elite rebounding prowess, ranking third in offensive rebounding percentage at 29.7 percent, though their defense ranks 25th in defensive rebounding. The Thunder's offense ranks second in the league at 119.9 points per game while their defense allows just 108.0 points, the best mark in basketball. The visitors' defensive flexibility has proven especially effective against the Suns' isolation-heavy attack, and their rim protection fundamentally alters how Phoenix approaches scoring inside. The Suns will navigate this contest without several contributors including Isaiah Livers, Cole Anthony, and Grayson Allen, forcing adjustments to an already short rotation.