Thunder crush Suns in formulaic, dominant fashion for Game 1 win in title defense

OKLAHOMA CITY — Moments before the ball was tipped ahead of Phoenix’s Game 1 trouncing, Dillon Brooks ran his fingers over the grooves of the game ball the way starters tend to. Thunder center Chet Holmgren waited his turn, his palms open and extended toward Brooks at halfcourt.Brooks never considered conceding his gamesmanship. Roughly 40 hours had passed since Phoenix earned a date with this 64-win juggernaut, and this felt like Brooks’ invitation to chaos. The game within the game intended to be a competitive advantage, to delay the Suns’ projected demise. To possibly get a game off a well-rested, unscathed, undeterred contender.Holmgren merely giggled as Brooks chucked the ball past him.Advertisement