Kendrick Perkins thinks this Thunder team is different because of the sacrifices that they make for each other.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their historic start to the 2025-26 season with a lopsided 138-89 win over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Cason Wallace left in the third quarter of Wednesday's NBA Cup bout.

The Phoenix Suns face the Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA Cup quarterfinal Wednesday in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

On Nov. 5, the Thunder rocked up to the Moda Center in Portland for the second night of a back-to-back with travel. The night before, Oklahoma City had defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 126-107, while the Blazers had been idle after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers two nights earlier.

Paul happily poured into Dort, who eventually progressed to shooting 41.2% from 3-point range last season, because he recognized the then-rookie's burning desire to get better. Paul saw the same characteristic in Gilgeous-Alexander, whom Paul calls a "basketball junkie," which is the ultimate compliment coming from him.

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave credit to Chris Paul for the team's success in recent years.