OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a dominant display of basketball prowess, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured an impressive 51-point victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. This victory marked the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA postseason history, falling just seven points short of the all-time record. It goes down as the largest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history.
Leading the charge for the Thunder was Aaron Wiggins with 21 points, followed closely by Jalen Williams with 20 points, and Chet Holmgren contributing with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Despite the league’s scoring champion, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, only scoring 15 points in the game, the Thunder managed to shoot an impressive 50.5% from the field.
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the team’s commitment to playing to their identity, stating, “We were who we were all year … and it’s going to be the key to our success, just staying true to who we are.” This focus on self-awareness and consistency has been a driving force for the Thunder throughout the season.
The 51-point margin in this game placed it among the NBA’s most significant playoff victories, with only two previous games in history having a larger point differential. With such a commanding performance, the Thunder established their dominance early in the game, going on a 20-0 run to secure a 55-22 lead in the second quarter and ultimately carrying a 35-point lead into halftime.
Memphis, led by Ja Morant with 17 points, struggled to find their footing in the game, shooting just 34.4% overall. Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a strong regular season averaging over 22 points, was limited to just four points on 2-for-13 shooting. The Grizzlies will need to regroup and strategize for Game 2 to mount a comeback.
Looking ahead to Game 2, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault anticipates a tougher challenge from the Grizzlies, acknowledging the resilience and adaptability of their opponents. With just one game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, the Grizzlies are motivated to analyze their performance and make necessary adjustments for the upcoming game.
The stage is set for an exciting matchup in Game 2, where both teams will look to make strategic changes and bring their A-game to the court. Fans can expect a more closely contested battle as the series progresses, with both teams hungry for a win on Tuesday.