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Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott pointed to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency and control after the Oklahoma City Thunder star delivered 42 points on 15-of-18 shooting in a 121-109 Game 3 win on Saturday at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Ott emphasized the original defensive goal against Gilgeous-Alexander, who also added 11 free throws. “Goal was to keep him off the free throw line. Thought he got there at times. Give him credit first. 42 points on 18 shots.”

The Suns tried multiple defensive looks, but the MVP guard consistently found separation. “We tried different matchups, tried to take it out of his hands. He got to the area where it’s a little hard to take it out of his hands when he just rises up over us. We tried different defenders just to try to get to his ball. Give him credit. He had us spinning tonight.”

Phoenix now trails 3-0 in the Western Conference first-round series, with Game 4 scheduled for Monday.

Ott also addressed Devin Booker’s second-half ankle injury and his return to the floor. “I saw him raise his hand as a foul live,” Ott said. “Whatever the case, he puts his hand up obviously indicating something occurred.”

Booker finished with 16 points and seven assists despite the setback. “For your best player to be out in these types of games, those are massive calls or swings,” Ott said.

Phoenix also struggled during key stretches, particularly late in the first and second quarters. “Those runs we just got to stop it as fast as you can. Got to get a stop, show some poise, get a better shot, get one more stop. We just weren’t able to do it.”

Offensively, Ott pointed to shot quality and ball movement. “I would imagine that was the highest quality shots that we got all season,” he said. “We were able to get to the paint early. We got to consistently get to the paint against these guys.”

He also highlighted the importance of bench production after Oklahoma City outscored Phoenix 36-12 in that category. “I think that shows their depth,” Ott said. “We just need one more point than that other team. However it comes tonight, they obviously got us with their bench. They also got us with SGA.”

Despite the deficit, Ott maintained the Suns’ focus remains on response, not elimination. “These series, you got to look at it game by game. You just got to win that night,” he said. “All our energy and effort will be to come back in the building tomorrow.”