OKLAHOMA CITY — In a stunning display of offensive prowess, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets 149-106 on Wednesday night, tying the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with a remarkable 34 points in just three quarters, showcasing his scoring ability and playmaking skills.
The Thunder set an NBA playoff record for first-half points with a staggering 87, surpassing the previous record of 86 set by the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2017. Chet Holmgren, who had faced criticism for missing crucial free throws in Game 1, redeemed himself by sinking two free throws with just one second left in the second quarter, solidifying Oklahoma City's 87-56 lead.
Not only did the Thunder set a new record for first-half points, but they also tied the record for points in any half of a playoff game, matching Milwaukee's 87 points scored in the second half against Denver on April 23, 1978. The Thunder's shooting was nothing short of spectacular, hitting 58.8% from the field and converting 17 of 18 free throws.
"Basically, it was one team playing tonight," said Denver center Nikola Jokic, who had been a standout in Game 1 with 42 points and 22 rebounds but struggled in Game 2, finishing with only 17 points and eight rebounds before fouling out late in the third quarter.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander for his all-around performance, noting, "He made them pay when they overhelped on him. He had the ball ahead of them all night, so he got his teammates shots, too. It wasn’t just a one-man show. He was super efficient. I mean, he had an unbelievable blend tonight." Gilgeous-Alexander shot an impressive 11 of 13 from the field and made all 11 of his free throws, also contributing eight assists.
The Thunder's victory marked a significant turnaround from Game 1, where they narrowly lost 121-119. Oklahoma City became the first home team to win a game in the second round of the playoffs, demonstrating their resilience and determination to avoid a 2-0 deficit on the road.
In the first quarter, the Thunder set the tone early, leading 45-21 after shooting a blistering 71.4% from the field. The crowd erupted when Gilgeous-Alexander made a free throw following a technical foul called on former Thunder star Russell Westbrook, who led the Nuggets with 19 points but faced a hostile reception from the Oklahoma City fans.
"We got punked, and we didn’t play well enough and they came out with the right intensity," said Denver interim coach David Adelman. "We didn’t." The Thunder continued their dominance throughout the second quarter, with a highlight reel play where Gilgeous-Alexander lobbed the ball to Jalen Williams for a two-handed slam, extending their lead to 78-43.
By the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma City had a commanding 124-76 lead, with the largest margin reaching 49 points. The Thunder had eight players scoring in double figures, further showcasing their depth and teamwork.
As the series now shifts to Denver for Game 3, scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025, both teams will look to make adjustments. The Nuggets, who had been favored as the top seed, will need to regroup after this heavy defeat. Jokic, despite his struggles, remains optimistic about his team's chances moving forward.
"I’m not sitting here tonight talking about the 1-1 thing tonight," Adelman said. "Not tonight. We’re not going to flush that. We’ve got to be better. We know that. That being said, it’s nice to know that you got a win underneath your belt." The Thunder's performance in Game 2 has certainly set the stage for an exciting continuation of the series, as they look to build on their momentum.
Meanwhile, in other playoff action, the New York Knicks stunned the Boston Celtics with a narrow 91-90 victory at TD Garden, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their series. Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points and 17 rebounds. Jalen Brunson's clutch free throws sealed the game, leaving the Celtics searching for answers as they prepare for Game 3.
As the playoffs heat up, fans can expect thrilling matchups ahead, with the Thunder and Nuggets set to clash again in Denver, where the stakes will be even higher.
