Oklahoma City Thunder notebook: Kevin Martin misses Suns game with the flu

Martin, who ranks third on the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game, also missed a Dec. 20 game at Minnesota with a right thigh contusion. The Thunder lost that game and saw its second unit struggle without its anchor. But even in a blowout win Sunday, the Thunder's bench scoring took a severe hit, much like that Minnesota contest.

Through three quarters against Phoenix, the Thunder's reserves had scored just three points.

Martin accompanied the team on the road trip but did not attend the game. A team spokesman said Martin remained at the team hotel because of his illness.

SEFOLOSHA SCORES SEASON HIGH

Thabo Sefolosha scored a season-high 20 points against the Suns and made a career-high five 3-pointers in 34 minutes.

Sefolosha made seven of 11 shots and added three rebounds and three assists.

It was the second straight game that Sefolosha has scored at least 18 points, the first time in his career that he has done so.

“Guys stepped up. That's what makes us a good team,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “His defensive effort and his offense was at a high level on both ends of the floor. He was making shots and making their guards have difficult shots.”

TWO STRAIGHT AGAINST SUNS OFFERS “PLAYOFF-LIKE TEST”

The Thunder swept the four-game series with the Suns, winning by an average of 22.3 points.

Though the Thunder eventually cruised to a 97-69 win in Sunday's game, playing Phoenix twice in three days was said to be a tough challenge.