Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a resounding 119-84 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series, scoring 25 points. The reigning league MVP struggled with his field goals, making just five of 18 attempts, but excelled at the free-throw line, converting 15 of 17.
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 22 and 16 points, respectively, for the top-seeded Thunder. The Suns, led by Devin Booker's 23 points and Dillon Brooks' 18 points, struggled with their shooting, making only 34.9% of their field goals. The Thunder will host Game 2 on Wednesday. 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 thrashed the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91.
The Celtics never trailed and built a 35-point lead, with Jaylen Brown scoring 26 points and Neemias Queta adding 13. The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who is recovering from an appendectomy. 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.