Defending Champions Thunder Kick Off Playoffs 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 foul line before sitting out the fourth quarter. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 22 and 16 points, respectively, for the top-seeded Thunder. Devin Booker scored 23 points and Dillon Brooks added 18 for the Suns, who struggled with 34.9% field goal shooting. The Thunder heated up quickly after a slow start, with Brooks being called for a flagrant-one foul in the first quarter for hitting Holmgren in the face, leading to a 12-2 Oklahoma City surge. The Thunder extended their lead to 65-44 at halftime and never looked back, taking a 97-66 edge into the fourth quarter. In other playoff action, Jayson Tatum scored 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his Achilles tendon last season as the Boston Celtics rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91. Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the Celtics, who never trailed and built a 35-point lead. Tyrese Maxey had 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama made a record-breaking playoff debut with 35 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98. Wembanyama's 21 first-half points set an NBA record for the most in the opening half of a playoff debut since 1997, and his 35 total points surpassed Tim Duncan's 32 in 1998 for the most in a Spurs playoff debut.