OKLAHOMA CITY — — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 factors and 9 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-107 on Wednesday night time to take a 2-0 lead of their first-round Western Conference playoff collection.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 factors in the series-opening win on Sunday, going 5 for 18 from the sector. He bounced again in Game 2 with 13-for-25 taking pictures after being offered the NBA Clutch Player of the Year trophy earlier than the sport.
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams every added 19 factors for Oklahoma City, although Williams left the sport within the third quarter with a left hamstring injury and didn’t return. Williams, an All-Star in 2024-25, missed 30 video games this season with a proper hamstring harm after lacking the primary 19 video games of the season following surgical procedure on his proper wrist.
Five higher-seeded groups had misplaced dwelling video games within the first week of the playoffs earlier than Wednesday, together with the highest three seeds within the Eastern Conference, Detroit, Boston and New York, and the No. 2 and three seeds within the West, San Antonio and Denver. Oklahoma City prevented that destiny by taking pictures 47.3% from the sector and forcing 21 turnovers.
Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 30 factors earlier than fouling out within the fourth quarter. Devin Booker scored 22 factors and Jalen Green added 21 for Phoenix, which is able to host Game 3 on Saturday.
The Thunder led 65-57 at halftime. Williams made his first six subject objectives and had 19 factors on the break, whereas Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 factors on 7-for-13 taking pictures.
The motion picked up early within the second half as Brooks and Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort — each members of Canada’s nationwide group — bought double technical fouls after a short skirmish following a made free throw.
Holmgren began the second half scorching. He scored eight factors in simply over 4 minutes to assist the Thunder go up 77-63 and power a Phoenix timeout. Oklahoma City prolonged the result in 100-77 on the finish of the third quarter.
Oklahoma City pushed the result in 26 factors early within the fourth quarter earlier than Phoenix made a remaining push. Booker made a pull-up jumper and was fouled. He missed the free throw, however he rebounded and made a mid-range jumper to chop Oklahoma City’s result in 110-97 with 5 minutes to play. The Suns bought no nearer than 10 factors.
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