Thunder sweep Suns into second round as Magic edge Pistons closer to elimination

Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 131-122 on Monday to sweep the Western Conference best-of-seven series 4-0, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 31 points and adding eight assists. Chet Holmgren contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein each added double-digit scoring. The Thunder, boasting the top postseason scoring and defensive stats, will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in the second round; the Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic took a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons with a 94-88 victory in Game Four at the Kia Center. Desmond Bane led Orlando with 22 points, including five three-pointers, before Franz Wagner was benched with a sore right calf after 19 points. Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored 25 points but committed 20 turnovers, twice as many as Orlando. The Pistons must win three straight games to avoid elimination, a feat they have not achieved since 2008.

In Denver, Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double (27 points, 16 assists, 12 rebounds) to power the Nuggets to a 125-113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, forcing a Game Six on Thursday.

What does this mean for the playoff landscape, and which upcoming series are you most keen to follow?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/28/thunder-sweep-suns-denver-avoids-ouster-pistons-on-the-brink/