Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives against the Suns' Collin Gillespie in Phoenix on Saturday. | Imagn Images / VIA REUTERS

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points to propel the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-109 victory over the Phoenix and a commanding 3-0 lead in their NBA playoff series on Saturday.

The Thunder, trying to become the first repeat NBA champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, are now one win away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.

But the Eastern Conference's top seed, the Detroit Pistons, fell behind 2-1 against the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic, who fended off a late Pistons rally to secure a stirring 113-105  victory at home.

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