Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shined with 34 points in three quarters, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a resounding 149-106 victory over the Denver Nuggets. This triumph, which sets records for the league and the team, ties the Western Conference semifinals series at one game apiece.
The Thunder set a new NBA playoff record by scoring 87 points in the first half, surpassing the 86 points scored by the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 9, 2017.
Chet Holmgren, after missing crucial free throws in the first game, made two free throws with one second left to finish the second quarter, setting the record and giving the Thunder an 87-56 lead.
Oklahoma City tied the record for points in any half of a playoff game, previously set by Milwaukee with 87 points in the second half against Denver on April 23, 1978.
The team became the first home team to win a game in the second round. The third game will be played on Friday in Denver.
Gilgeous-Alexander excelled with 11 of 13 shots from the field made, all his 11 free throws and eight assists, leading eight players who scored in double figures.
Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 19 points. Nikola Jokic, who scored 42 points and 22 rebounds in the Game 1 victory, had only 17 points and eight rebounds on Wednesday before fouling out in the third quarter.
The fans, who had applauded Westbrook in Game 1, booed him in Game 2. Westbrook received a technical foul shortly after, and Gilgeous-Alexander made the free throw to make the score 34-13.
The Thunder led 45-21 at the end of the first quarter, with a 71.4% field goal percentage, setting a team record for points in a quarter in a playoff game.
Oklahoma City’s dominance continued in the second quarter. A pass from Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams for a two-handed dunk extended the lead to 78-43.
At the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma City led 124-76, with a maximum lead of 49 points.
