The first time Phoenix played in the Ford Center Shaquille O'Neal sat out and Steve Nash showed why he's a two-time MVP.
In the return game Monday night, Nash sat out the final three quarters and O'Neal showed why he also won an MVP. Nash left with back spasms in the first quarter.
He did not return but the Suns still notched a 110-102 win as O'Neal scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
"I've been telling my teammates all year, if they get the ball to me and let me do what I do, I can still put up numbers," O'Neal said.
"I guess because I'm 35 they think I am too old to do it."
O'Neal actually is 36, a few months shy of his 37th birthday.
But he can still put up numbers. The double-double was his 10th this season, the 697th of his 17-year career.
"Shaq is about as strong as anybody who has ever played the game," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "They say he lost a step. He probably did but he's had a step to lose because he was so good. And he's still good. He still has the ability to take over games."
His scoring (16.6) production isn't close to his career average (25.2) but Shaq could wind up with his highest average since he and Dwyane Wade won the NBA title three years ago in Miami.
"He's one of the best bigs to ever play the game," said Thunder center Robert Swift. "He might be past his prime but his prime was amazing. He's still a great player."
