NBA Playoffs: Thunder Kick Off Title Defense with Convincing Win

The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 25 points, launched their title defense with a resounding 119-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. Despite making just five of 18 field goals, Gilgeous-Alexander 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, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday. Devin Booker scored 23 points, and Dillon Brooks had 18 on 6-of-22 shooting for the Suns, who struggled with 34.9% field goal shooting. The Thunder quickly overcame a slow start, with Brooks being called for a flagrant-one foul in the first quarter, leading to a 12-2 surge and a 24-14 lead. A dramatic three-pointer by Holmgren at the end of the quarter put Oklahoma City up 35-20. The Thunder extended their lead to 65-44 at halftime, with Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively. 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 rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91. The Celtics never trailed, building a 35-point lead, with Jaylen Brown scoring 26 points and Neemias Queta adding 13. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama made a record-breaking playoff debut, scoring 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 playoff debut in Spurs franchise history.