Shai posts first 37‑point playoff

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 37 points and nine assists as Oklahoma City beat Phoenix 120-107 in Game 2 on April 22 and took a 2-0 series lead. (nba.com) (espn.com) The Thunder led 65-57 at halftime, won the third quarter 35-20, and pushed the margin to 23 before Phoenix trimmed the final score late. (espn.com) (nba.com) Gilgeous-Alexander finished 13-of-25 from the field and 9-of-9 at the line. Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 rebounds, and Jalen Williams scored 17 before leaving with a left hamstring injury in the third quarter. (espn.com) (cbssports.com) Phoenix got 30 points from Dillon Brooks, but Devin Booker was held to 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting. The Suns committed 16 turnovers and were outscored 65-50 after halftime. (espn.com) (nba.com) The series shifted to Phoenix for Game 3 on Saturday, April 25, with Oklahoma City holding the 2-0 edge. NBA.com listed Game 3 for 3:30 p.m. Eastern in Phoenix. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) For Gilgeous-Alexander, the 37-point line was his highest-scoring game of the 2026 playoffs through two games and his first outing of this series with at least nine assists. NBA.com’s recap led with his 37 and nine. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) Oklahoma City had opened the series with a 119-84 win in Game 1 on April 19. That made Game 2 a chance to press the lead before the matchup moved to the Suns’ home floor. (statmuse.com) (nba.com) The immediate question after the win was Williams’ hamstring. Oklahoma City left Paycom Center with a 2-0 lead, but its No. 2 scorer’s status was unresolved heading into the road games. (cbssports.com) (nba.com)