OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Ajay Mitchell poured in 30 points Monday night and the Oklahoma City Thunder, down two starters, still pulled away from the Phoenix Suns for a 125-114 home win.
The victory kept Oklahoma City perfect at 4-0. It came barely a day after Jalen Williams went down late against the Clippers with a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle, and after Cason Wallace tore a labrum in that same game. Both need surgery and face long absences.
The Thunder also played without Chet Holmgren, who sat out the second half of a back-to-back. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still did his part, hitting 11 of 18 shots for 26 points. Jared McCain chipped in 18, and Isaiah Hartenstein posted 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Rookie Aday Mara added 11 points and 11 boards for the first double-double of his career.
Oklahoma City led 33-27 after one quarter and broke things open late in the second, scoring on nine of 11 trips during a 22-6 burst. A 12-2 spurt early in the fourth quarter settled it.
Phoenix guard Devin Booker had piled up 66 points in his first two outings, but the Thunder held him to a single basket in seven tries and three points. Green topped Phoenix with 20, and Brooks, the Suns forward, finished with 19.
There was one more scare for a thin roster. Alex Caruso left late in the second quarter after rolling his right ankle, and the Thunder will be watching his status closely heading into their next game.
The early-season test now shifts to depth. Mitchell gave Oklahoma City a clear second scoring option behind Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Thunder will lean on McCain, Hartenstein and Mara while Williams and Wallace recover. Oklahoma City trailed only a few seconds all night, a sign the remaining rotation can still carry the load for now.
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