Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 119-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference first‑round series, setting the tone for the defending champions' playoff run. The league MVP contributed 25 points, despite a modest shooting night of five‑for‑18 from the field, and was flawless from the charity stripe, sinking 15 of his 17 free‑throw attempts before sitting out the final period. His performance, combined with strong support from teammates, underscored Oklahoma City’s depth and readiness to protect their title.
Jalen Williams added a solid 22 points, while the highly touted rookie Chet Holmgren chipped in 16, helping the top‑seeded Thunder establish a lead they would never relinquish. The team will host Game 2 on Wednesday, giving them another opportunity to build on the early advantage.
For Phoenix, the night belonged to Devin Booker, who tallied 23 points, and Dillon Brooks, who managed 18 despite a difficult shooting night (6‑of‑22). The Suns struggled overall, shooting just 34.9 percent from the floor and falling behind early, trailing 5‑0 after the opening minutes. Their sluggish start was compounded by a flagrant‑one foul called on Brooks in the first quarter after he struck Holmgren in the face, an incident that sparked a 12‑2 Thunder run and swung momentum firmly in Oklahoma City’s favor.
One of the most memorable moments of the quarter came when Thunder guard Jaylin Williams launched a long, cross‑court pass that found Holmgren with his back to the basket. After a single dribble to his right, Holmgren turned and released a three‑pointer as the buzzer sounded, extending the lead to 35‑20. The play highlighted the Thunder’s confidence and execution under pressure.
The Thunder continued to widen the gap, entering halftime with a 65‑44 advantage. At the break, Holmgren had already posted 16 points and Gilgeous‑Alexander 15. In the third quarter, Gilgeous‑Alexander capped a three‑point play that pushed the lead to 90‑63, and the Thunder finished the period up 97‑66. Their relentless offense and stifling defense left the Suns searching for answers.
In other first‑round action, the Boston Celtics dominated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1, with Jayson Tatum delivering 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Tatum, returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered the previous season, proved that his recovery was complete, contributing 21 points in the first half alone. His teammate Jaylen Brown added 26 points, and rookie center Neemias Queta chipped in 13, as the Celtics never trailed and built a 35‑point cushion.
Coach Joe Mazzulla rotated through 12 players, showcasing the depth that has made Boston a perennial contender. The Celtics’ 16 three‑pointers reflected their shooting prowess, and they will look to close out the series at home on Tuesday night. Philadelphia’s star Tyrese Maxey managed 21 points and eight assists despite the absence of Joel Embiid, who is still recovering from an appendectomy performed on April 9. The 76ers struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on only four of 23 attempts.
Maxey was heavily contested by the Celtics’ defense, which challenged 12 of his 14 first‑half shots and limited him to 8‑of‑20 overall. The half‑time deficit of 64‑46 was the largest the 76ers had endured against Boston in a playoff game since 1982, underscoring the difficulty of overcoming Boston’s relentless pressure. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs celebrated a historic night as rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama erupted for 35 points in his playoff debut, leading San Antonio to a 111‑98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Wembanyama’s 21 points in the first half set a new NBA record for the most points scored in the opening half of a playoff debut since the league began detailed play‑by‑play tracking in 1997.
His total also broke the Spurs’ franchise record for points in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 32‑point effort in 1998. Supporting him, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each contributed 17 points and combined for 15 assists, while the Spurs’ bench supplied additional energy. Portland’s Deni Avdija fought valiantly, posting 30 points and 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to stave off the Spurs’ onslaught.
The Trail Blazers entered the playoffs after a dramatic play‑in victory over Phoenix, securing the No. 7 seed.
Rookie Scoot Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, added 18 points for San Antonio, further highlighting the team’s youthful talent pool. The atmosphere at the Frost Bank Center was electric, with a sell‑out crowd that included Spurs legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson seated courtside. Their presence symbolized the franchise’s storied past, which includes five championships and a record‑tying 22 consecutive postseason appearances.
After a six‑year playoff drought, the Spurs are eager to reestablish themselves as a competitive force, and Wembanyama’s record‑setting performance could be the catalyst they need. Looking ahead, the Thunder will aim to capitalize on their early dominance in Game 2, while the Celtics seek to maintain pressure on the 76ers. The Spurs will host Game 2 in San Antonio on Tuesday, with the series set to shift to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, which continues to broadcast the 2026 NBA playoffs, including upcoming matchups such as the Toronto Raptors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sky Sports+.