The Oklahoma City Thunder responded forcefully after the defeat suffered against the Denver Nuggets, achieving a resounding 149-106 victory that ties the Western Conference semifinals series 1-1.
The match, marked by the offensive explosiveness of the Thunder, made clear the team’s determination after the initial defeat. The score at halftime, 87 points for Oklahoma City, set a new record in playoff history.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the attack
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP candidate, shined with 34 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, leading a Thunder team that demonstrated a high level of play. Jalen Williams contributed 17 points and 7 assists, Chet Holmgren added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds.
The Thunder led by as many as 49 points in the final quarter, showcasing their dominance on the court.
Nikola Jokic, also an MVP candidate, had a discreet performance with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, being ejected in the third quarter. Russell Westbrook, with 19 points, was the top scorer for the Nuggets.
The Thunder’s victory breaks the losing streak of the home teams at the start of the conference semifinals.
The series moves to Denver for Game 3.
“We came out desperate. We knew what it meant to go 0-2 playing away from home. For us, that was not an option. We were clear about it from the moment we woke up this morning and did what was necessary to get the victory,” said Gilgeous-Alexander after the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder shot 56.2% from the field, outperforming the Nuggets’ 37.9%. They also dominated in three-pointers (44.4% vs. 38.9%) and free throws (91.7% vs. 78.1%), in addition to recording 31 assists to the Nuggets’ 12 and only 9 turnovers compared to their rival’s 20.
In the first quarter, the Thunder had already taken a significant lead of 45-21, consolidating their dominance.
At halftime, the scoreboard reflected a resounding 87-56 in favor of the Thunder, setting a new scoring record in a playoff first half.
The Thunder managed to maintain the discipline of their key players, nullifying Jokic’s game, who was ejected before the end of the third quarter.
With a 124-76 lead, the Thunder’s coaching staff rested the starters, allowing the substitutes to play the final quarter, where they extended the lead to 49 points.
Knicks repeat the feat against the Celtics
The New York Knicks, repeating the formula from the first game, defeated the Boston Celtics 90-91, putting the current NBA champions in a compromised situation with a 0-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The series moves to Madison Square Garden, where the third and fourth games will be played.
The game repeated the dynamic of the first, with the Celtics squandering a 20-point lead in the third quarter, and struggling from the three-point line.
Mikal Bridges was again key on defense for the Knicks, while Jalen Brunson stood out on offense. Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points and 6 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points and 17 rebounds. Brunson added 17 points and 7 assists, and Bridges scored 14 points in the final quarter.The Celtics had a concerning performance, with 36.2% in field goals.
Brown and White led the Celtics’ attack, while Tatum had a below-par performance.
The Knicks became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 20-point deficit in two consecutive playoff games.
The Knicks have extended the visitors’ success in these conference semifinals, with six consecutive away wins.
The Celtics tried to change their strategy, but the Knicks responded with determination.
Towns stood out in the second quarter, but the Celtics maintained the lead at halftime.
The Celtics extended their lead in the third quarter, but the Knicks reacted, making it to the end of the game alive.
Bridges led the comeback, while the Celtics suffered a collapse.Brunson secured the victory from the free-throw line, and Bridges sealed the triumph with a key steal.
