Thunder vs. Suns Game 1: NBA Playoffs Starting Lineups

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns tipped off Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on April 19, 2026, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, with both teams unveiling their starting lineups ahead of the matchup.

For the Thunder, head coach Mark Daigneault named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams as the starting five. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, entered the playoffs averaging 31.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game during the regular season, while Holmgren provided Oklahoma City with elite rim protection and spacing, averaging 2.8 blocks, and 39.3% from three-point range.

The Phoenix Suns countered with a starting lineup featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkić, and Grayson Allen. Durant, in his 18th NBA season, averaged 27.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this year, while Booker contributed 26.8 points and 5.4 assists. The trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal marked the Suns’ high-octane offensive core, combining for over 80 points per game on average during the season.

Both teams entered the playoffs with strong regular-season finishes. The Thunder secured the No. 1 seed in the West with a 57-25 record, showcasing the league’s best defensive rating at 106.8 and ranking second in net rating. The Suns, despite injuries and roster adjustments throughout the season, clinched the No. 8 seed with a 42-40 record, relying on their star power to navigate a competitive Western Conference landscape.

Game 1 marked the first playoff meeting between the Thunder and Suns since 2021, when Phoenix defeated Oklahoma City in six games during the Western Conference Semifinals. This year’s series presents a contrast in styles: Oklahoma City’s youthful, versatile roster built around two-way excellence versus Phoenix’s reliance on veteran scoring firepower and half-court execution.

Tipoff for Game 1 was scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central Time, broadcast nationally on ABC. The winner of the series will advance to face the victor of the Denver Nuggets versus Minnesota Timberwolves matchup in the Western Conference Semifinals.