The reigning league and Finals MVP, one of the most efficient scorers in recent NBA history, is seeing a swarm of bodies on seemingly every turn and catch of the ball.Phoenix, one of the league’s most proficient turnover-causing teams, displayed a number of different defensive approaches on SGA — switching, pressuring and even reverting to a box-and-1 — in attempts to keep Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring at bay, but it was to no avail. Outside of a few early misses, the bulk of which were good looks, Gilgeous-Alexander had his way with the Suns, using his random, jittery motion to keep Phoenix off-balance and finishing with a game-high 37 points.The Suns’ best chance at guarding SGA, Dillon Brooks, was routinely switched off. courtesy of smart and timely Thunder screens.

It’s hard enough slowing down a juggernaut like the Thunder even when their best player is struggling, like he was in Game 1. If he’s able to maintain a scoring rhythm like he did in Game 2, this series won’t last much longer.A ‘big’ problemSimply put, the Suns need more from Oso Ighodaro in this series. With starting center Mark Williams sidelined with a foot injury, head coach Jordan Ott called upon the second-year big to fill the void — but the lights appeared to be too bright for the 23-year-old.In the opening minutes of the first quarter, Ighodaro missed two point-blank chances at the rim, the first after a smart screen-and-slip and the second failing to convert over the much smaller Gilgeous-Alexander.

At the other end, he appeared out of his depth physically against Isaiah Hartenstein and picked up two early fouls that forced Ott to turn to Khaman Maluach, the seldom-used rookie big, to attempt to stabilize the Suns.Maluach’s first action was converting an emphatic two-handed alley-oop, quite the contrast to Ighodaro’s inability to make good on his clear-cut opportunities. Maluach took a wild 3-point attempt in the second quarter during a pivotal stretch of back-and-forth play, but otherwise offered solid output, being the preferred option down the stretch and finishing a team-best +10. Ighodaro had a better second half — but still finished -23, worst among all starters.

A "better second half" won't cut it against an OKC team of this caliber. What can the Suns do?Headed back to Phoenix in a 2-0 hole, it might be time for the Suns to consider a lineup change. One of their calling cards during an impressive season has been their roster flexibility, with multiple plug-and-play options that can peform when called upon.Veteran forward Royce O'Neale, with 50 games of playoff experience under his belt, showcased why he deserves a nod heading into Game 3.O'Neale has built a reputation for years as a switchable, hard-nosed, stable 3&D type, able to adequately space the floor, be a positive connector and also defend at a high level. Among players who took at least five 3s per game and appeared in 45 regular-season games, O'Neale posted the NBA's ninth-best 3-point percentage at 40.8.He seized his opportunity off the bench Wednesday night, scoring 11 points in 17 first-half minutes, hitting all three of his perimeter looks and adding five rebounds, two assists and a steal. (He finished the game with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.) In addition to his ability to guard multiple positions, a much-needed skillset against the best team in basketball, there should be a place for O'Neale — who started 67 games this year — to reclaim his spot.