NBA Playoffs: Thunder Kick Off Title Defense with Convincing Win

The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 25 points, dominated the Phoenix Suns 119-84 in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. Gilgeous-Alexander, despite making only five of 18 field goals, went 15 of 17 from the free throw line before sitting out the fourth quarter. Jalen Williams added 22 points, and Chet Holmgren contributed 16 for the top-seeded Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday. Devin Booker scored 23 points for the Suns, and Dillon Brooks added 18 on 6-of-22 shooting, as Phoenix struggled with 34.9% field goal shooting. The Thunder quickly overcame a cold start, fueled by a 12-2 surge after Brooks was called for a flagrant-one foul in the first quarter. Oklahoma City extended their lead to 65-44 by halftime, with Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively. The Thunder's lead grew to 97-66 by the end of the third quarter, following a three-point play by Gilgeous-Alexander. In other playoff action, Jayson Tatum scored 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his Achilles tendon, as the Boston Celtics routed the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91. Jaylen Brown added 26 points, and Neemias Queta contributed 13 for the Celtics, who never trailed and built a 35-point lead. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 21 points and eight assists, but Philadelphia played without Joel Embiid, who is recovering from an appendectomy. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama made a historic playoff debut, scoring 35 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98. Wembanyama set an NBA record for most points in the first half of a playoff debut and a Spurs franchise record for most points in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan's 32 in 1998.