SGA lifts Thunder 2-0
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a dominant performance to push Oklahoma City to a 2-0 series lead. (x.com) - The highlight package shows SGA driving, creating shots, and controlling late possessions in Game 2. (x.com) - Early playoff coverage frames the Thunder as dangerous when SGA controls pace and the offense stays disciplined. (x.com) (espn.com)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points and handed out nine assists Wednesday night as Oklahoma City beat Phoenix 120-107 to take a 2-0 lead in its first-round series. (apnews.com) The Thunder led 65-57 at halftime, stretched the margin with a 35-20 third quarter, and improved to 10-0 in first-round playoff games with this young core. (espn.com) (nba.com) Gilgeous-Alexander shot 13-for-25 from the field and 9-for-9 from the line, while Phoenix got 30 points from Dillon Brooks in the loss. (espn.com) The series has followed Oklahoma City’s regular-season profile. The Thunder finished 64-18, earned the No. 1 seed in the West, and went 34-7 at home before opening this matchup with two wins in Oklahoma City. (espn.com) Game 2 also reinforced how Oklahoma City plays through Gilgeous-Alexander late. NBA.com’s highlight package from April 23 shows him getting to the paint, creating midrange shots, and initiating the possessions that closed the game. (nba.com) Phoenix was more competitive than it was in Game 1, trimming the deficit in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma City still finished with a double-digit win. (sports.yahoo.com) (nytimes.com) There was one concern for the Thunder beyond the score. NBA.com reported Jalen Williams left with a hamstring injury during the win, putting more attention on Oklahoma City’s rotation as the series shifts. (nba.com) The matchup now moves to Phoenix for Game 3 on Saturday, April 25, with Oklahoma City two wins from ending the series and Gilgeous-Alexander setting the pace. (nba.com)
