Season ends for Suns squad that defied expectations

• That success came despite many preseason predictions that they'd be one of the West's worst teams.

The latest: The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder completed their four-game sweep of Phoenix on Monday night with a 131-122 win at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Catch up quick: An offseason trade split up the Suns' "big three" when the team traded superstar Kevin Durant to Houston for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and the No. 10 draft pick, which Phoenix used to select Khaman Maluach.

• Some viewed it as a lopsided trade but the best deal Phoenix could've gotten once it became clear that the Durant era would never be the success that owner Mat Ishbia hoped for.

State of play: The Suns became one of the season's biggest surprises, bouncing back from a rough start and spending most of the season in playoff contention.

• Brooks, sometimes affectionately called "Dillon the Villain" for his aggressive defense and antagonistic style, had perhaps the best season of his career.

• The team's success came despite numerous injuries, including to Brooks and Green, who missed more than half the season.

What we're watching: Phoenix has a decent core to build on, though a lack of first-round draft picks resulting from previous trades — most notably the blockbuster that brought Durant to the Suns — will likely hinder attempts to improve the roster.