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 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 and Dillon Brooks had 18 for the Suns, who shot a dismal 34.9% from the field.
The Thunder quickly recovered from a slow start, going on a 12-2 run after Brooks was called for a flagrant-one foul in the first quarter. Oklahoma City extended their lead to 65-44 at halftime, with Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively.
The Thunder continued to pull away, taking a 97-66 lead into the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum made a strong return to the playoffs, scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists as the Boston Celtics thrashed the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91.
Tatum, playing in his first playoff game since rupturing his Achilles tendon last season, had 21 points in the first half. The Celtics never trailed, building a 35-point lead, and connected on 16 three-pointers. In another matchup, Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff debut, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
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 set a Spurs franchise record for the most in a playoff debut.