Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander delivered a 25‑point performance as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their championship run by crushing the Phoenix Suns 119‑84 in Game 1 of the Western Conference first‑round series on Sunday. The league’s reigning MVP was efficient from the charity stripe, sinking 15 of 17 free throws, though he managed only five makes on 18 attempts from the field before sitting out the final period. Supporting him, Jalen Williams contributed 22 points while rookie big man Chet Holmgren added 16, helping the top‑seeded Thunder secure a commanding lead that they will look to extend when they host Game 2 on Wednesday.
For Phoenix, Devin Booker posted 23 points and Dillon Brooks added 18, but the Suns struggled with shooting, converting just 34.9 percent of their attempts. The game began poorly for the Thunder, who slipped into a 5‑0 deficit after a week off, but they quickly found their rhythm.
Early in the first quarter, Brooks was assessed a flagrant‑one foul after striking Holmgren in the face, a moment that seemed to ignite Oklahoma City’s offense. The Thunder responded with a 12‑2 run that flipped the score to a 24‑14 advantage.
A highlight of the opening quarter came as Jaylin Williams launched a long pass that traveled roughly three‑quarters of the court. Holmgren, positioned with his back to the basket, caught the ball, took a single dribble to his right, turned, and released a three‑pointer as the buzzer sounded, pushing the lead to 35‑20.
The Thunder continued to widen the gap, entering halftime with a 65‑44 lead; Holmgren had already tallied 16 points, and Gilgeous‑Alexander added 15. In the third quarter, Gilgeous‑Alexander executed a three‑point play that stretched the margin to 90‑63, and the Thunder closed the period at 97‑66.
The fourth quarter saw Oklahoma City maintain its dominance, ultimately sealing a 35‑point victory that set the tone for the series. In other opening night action, the Boston Celtics dispatched the Philadelphia 76ers 123‑91 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first‑round matchup.
Jayson Tatum recorded a double‑double with 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, marking his return to playoff basketball after recovering from a right Achilles tendon rupture suffered last season. Teammate Jaylen Brown contributed 26 points, and newcomer Neemias Queta added 13, as the second‑seeded Celtics never trailed and built a 35‑point lead at one point.
Coach Joe Mazzulla rotated 12 players, and Boston connected on 16 three‑pointers, showcasing the depth that has defined their season. Brown summed up the performance, saying, “That was Celtics basketball. We’ve been the harder‑playing team all year.
That can’t change now that the playoffs have started.” For the 76ers, 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 2023 MVP’s health remains uncertain, and his return timeline has not been announced. Paul George added 17 points for Philadelphia, while V.J. Edgecombe chipped in 13.
The Celtics’ defense pressured Maxey heavily, contesting 12 of his 14 first‑half attempts and limiting him to 8‑of‑20 shooting overall. Philadelphia’s 64‑46 halftime deficit was the largest they had endured against Boston in a playoff game since 1982.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs made a statement in Game 1 of their first‑round series against the Portland Trail Blazers, winning 111‑98. Victor Wembanyama exploded for 35 points, setting a new franchise record for the most points in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 32‑point effort in 1998.
His 21 points in the opening half established a new NBA record for the most first‑half points in a playoff debut since the league’s play‑by‑play era began in 1997. Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox each added 17 points and combined for 15 assists, facilitating the Spurs’ offensive flow. Portland’s standout was Deni Avdija, who posted 30 points and 10 rebounds, having helped the Blazers secure the No.
7 seed with a 114‑110 play‑in victory over Phoenix. Rookie Scoot Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, contributed 18 points for the Trail Blazers. The Spurs will host Game 2 on Tuesday before the series shifts back to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
The atmosphere at the Frost Bank Center was electric, with a sell‑out crowd that included former Spurs legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson seated courtside. This marked San Antonio’s first playoff appearance since 2019, ending a six‑year postseason drought that followed the franchise’s era of five championships and a record‑tying 22 consecutive playoff berths.
Overall, the opening night of the 2026 NBA playoffs delivered a mix of dominant performances, historic individual feats, and the continuation of storylines that have defined the regular season. Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with upcoming matchups such as the Toronto Raptors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers slated for Sky Sports+ on Monday night at 11 p.m.