Jamaree Bouyea leads Suns reserves to 135-103 win over Thunder in meaningless season finale

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jamaree Bouyea had career highs of 27 points and nine assists, Ryan Dunn added 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 135-103 on Sunday night in a meaningless regular-season finale for both teams.

Koby Brea added 20 points for Phoenix (45-37), which was locked into seventh place in the Western Conference and did not play any starters. The Suns will face either Portland or the Los Angeles Clippers in a play-in game Tuesday night.

Brandon Carlson scored a career-high 26 points and Payton Sandfort added 23 for NBA-best Oklahoma City (64-18), which lost two straight games for the first time since late January.

The Thunder, who secured the top overall seed Wednesday night, sat every starter except Lu Dort for the second straight game. Dort, who finished with six points, played 20 minutes in each of the final two games to qualify for season awards.

Phoenix took control early, outscoring the Thunder 21-0 for a 26-5 lead. The Suns led 70-52 at the break behind 18 points from Dunn and 16 from Bouyea. Coffey's 8-footer at the buzzer gave the Suns a 104-77 lead after three quarters.

Suns: Host Tuesday's play-in game. If they win, they would become the No. 7 seed in the West, earning a first-round matchup with San Antonio. If they lose, they would face the winner of the 9-vs.-10 game for the final playoff spot.

Thunder: Host their their first-round playoff opener on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) pushes past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Brooks Barnhizer, left, shoots in front of Phoenix Suns forwards Ryan Dunn, middle and Rasheer Fleming, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic, right, drives past Phoenix Suns guard Koby Brea during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) looks to shoot in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 18 points, six assists and four rebounds in the first half, and the Los Angeles Lakers tuned up for the postseason with a 131-107 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night.

Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton each had 22 points and 10 assists. James and Luke Kennard were held out of the second half as a precautionary measure, and the Lakers closed the regular season on a three-game winning streak. They finished fourth in the Western Conference and will face Houston in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite knowing they needed both a win and Denver loss to San Antonio to secure the third seed, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said his group could not worry about factors outside their control. Instead, Redick stressed continuing to build chemistry and continuity with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) having sustained injuries that will almost certainly keep Los Angeles’ top two scorers out for the start of the postseason.

James took charge early with six points and three assists in the opening seven minutes, including steals on consecutive defensive possessions that he turned into a layup and an Ayton alley-oop.

Nick Smith Jr. had 12 points after signing a two-year contract on Sunday, giving the Lakers another ballhandler with Doncic and Reaves hurt and making him eligible for the playoffs having previously been on a two-way deal.

Oscar Tshiebwe had 29 points and 17 rebounds for the Jazz, who ended the season losing 11 straight road games. Utah has lost 60 games in consecutive seasons, having dropped a franchise-record 65 games in 2024-25.

Jazz: Will wait for the results of the draft lottery for the fourth straight season.

Lakers: Host Houston on Saturday in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart is defended by Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey (19) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes up to shoot over Utah Jazz forward Blake Hinson (2) for a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) goes up to dunk as he is defended by Utah Jaz guard Bez Mbeng, bottom left, and forward Blake Hinson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey, left, and Jazz forward Cody Williams as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey, left, and Jazz forward Cody Williams as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)