Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 119-84 triumph over the Phoenix Suns in the opening game of their first‑round Western Conference playoff series, setting the tone for the defending champion's campaign. The league MVP contributed 25 points, converting just five of his 18 attempts from the field but showcasing an almost flawless free‑throw performance, sinking 15 of 17 shots before resting during the fourth quarter.
Supporting the star backcourt, forward Jalen Williams added 22 points while rookie center Chet Holmgren chipped in 16, helping the top‑seeded Thunder build a sizable lead early and maintain it throughout the night. The Suns, who struggled to find rhythm, were paced by Devin Booker’s 23 points and Dillon Brooks’ 18, though Brooks shot a disappointing 6‑of‑22 and the team as a whole managed only a 34.9 percent field‑goal conversion. The game began with Phoenix taking a brief 5‑0 advantage, capitalizing on Oklahoma City’s initial sluggishness after a week’s rest.
However, the Thunder quickly found their footing. A pivotal moment arrived when Brooks was assessed a flagrant‑one foul for striking Holmgren in the face during the first quarter. The incident sparked a 12‑2 run for the Thunder, propelling them to a 24‑14 lead. Later in the quarter, Jaylin Williams launched a long, soaring pass across three‑quarters of the court; Holmgren received it with his back to the basket, dribbled once to his right, turned, and released a three‑pointer as the buzzer sounded, extending the lead to 35‑20.
The Thunder continued to dominate, widening the margin to 65‑44 by halftime. At the break, Holmgren had already tallied 16 points and Gilgeous‑Alexander 15. In the third quarter, Gilgeous‑Alexander executed a three‑point play that pushed Oklahoma City’s lead to 90‑63, and the team entered the final period with a 97‑66 advantage. Across the league, other playoff action unfolded.
In Boston, Jayson Tatum recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in his first postseason appearance since tearing his right Achilles tendon the previous season. He was joined by Jaylen Brown, who poured in 26 points, and rookie center Neemias Queta, who contributed 13. The Celtics never relinquished the lead, at one point building a 35‑point cushion, and displayed a balanced attack with 16 three‑pointers. Coach Joe Mazzulla rotated 12 players, emphasizing depth and defensive intensity.
Boston’s opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, were without Joel Embiid, who remains sidelined after an appendectomy. Tyrese Maxey managed 21 points and eight assists, but the Celtics’ pressure forced him into a difficult 8‑of‑20 shooting night. Paul George added 17 for Philadelphia, while V.J. Edgecombe contributed 13, though the 76ers shot a woeful 4‑of‑23 from beyond the arc.
The half‑time deficit of 64‑46 marked the largest Philadelphia playoff loss to Boston since 1982. In the Western Conference, San Antonio’s phenom Victor Wembanyama announced his arrival on the postseason stage with a 35‑point performance, leading the Spurs to a 111‑98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Wembanyama’s 21 points in the first half set a new record for the most points scored in the opening half of a playoff debut since the NBA began detailed play‑by‑play tracking in 1997, and his 35 total points eclipsed Tim Duncan’s previous franchise debut record of 32 set in 1998. Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox each added 17 points and combined for 15 assists, while the Spurs’ bench contributed crucial minutes.
Portland’s Deni Avdija tried to keep his team competitive, posting a double‑double with 30 points and 10 rebounds after his club earned the seventh seed by defeating Phoenix 114‑110 in a play‑in game. Rookie Scoot Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, added 18 points for the Blazers.
The atmosphere at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center was electric, with a sell‑out crowd that included former Spurs legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson seated courtside, underscoring the significance of the franchise’s return to the postseason after a six‑year hiatus—the first playoff appearance since 2019. That drought followed an era of sustained success in which the Spurs captured five championships and participated in 22 consecutive postseason runs, tying the league record. Looking ahead, the Thunder will host Game 2 on Wednesday, aiming to extend their early series lead. The Celtics will return to Boston for Game 2 on Tuesday night, while the Spurs prepare for a Tuesday night showdown in San Antonio before the series shifts back to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, with additional coverage and highlights available through the network’s streaming platforms. The NBA playoffs continue to deliver high‑stakes drama, record‑setting performances, and compelling storylines as teams vie for the coveted championship title.