In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 149-106 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. This win ties the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece and sets new records for both the league and the team.
The Thunder achieved an NBA playoff record by scoring a remarkable 87 points in the first half, surpassing the previous record of 86 points set by the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2017. Chet Holmgren, who had faced criticism after missing crucial free throws in Game 1, redeemed himself by sinking two free throws with just one second left in the second quarter. This feat not only set the record but also gave the Thunder a commanding 87-56 lead at halftime.
Oklahoma City's performance was marked by a balanced scoring effort, with eight players scoring in double figures. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer, making 11 of 13 field goals and hitting all 11 of his free throws, alongside contributing eight assists. This level of efficiency helped the Thunder tie the record for the most points scored in any half of a playoff game, matching the Milwaukee Bucks, who scored 87 points in the second half against Denver on April 23, 1978.
On the Nuggets' side, Russell Westbrook was the leading scorer with 19 points, while Nikola Jokic, who had an impressive 42 points and 22 rebounds in Game 1, struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with only 17 points and eight rebounds before fouling out late in the third quarter. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with the crowd initially cheering for Westbrook, an ex-Thunder star, when he entered Game 1 but booing him shortly after he took the floor in Game 2, especially following a technical foul called against him. Gilgeous-Alexander capitalized on this moment by making a free throw to push the score to 34-13.
By the end of the first quarter, the Thunder had established a significant lead of 45-21, shooting an impressive 71.4% from the field and setting a team record for points in a quarter during a playoff game. The Thunder maintained their dominance throughout the second quarter, highlighted by a spectacular lob from Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams, resulting in a two-handed dunk that extended their lead to 78-43. Heading into the final quarter, Oklahoma City led by a staggering 124-76, with their largest lead reaching an astonishing 49 points.
As the series now moves to Denver for Game 3 on Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to carry this momentum forward. With a record-setting performance and a balanced team effort, they have shown they are a formidable contender in the Western Conference playoffs.
