Thunder Respond Loudly, Destroy Nuggets to Even Series
The Oklahoma City Thunder learned their lessons from previous games, and they were not going to let go of another close game. They can come back to life after losing the first game right at the buzzer, and by the time the second half started in this second game, they made sure that the game was over before it started.
The Thunder was leading 87-56 at the half — which marks the most combined points at the half in the modern NBA play-by-play era. They were too strong for the archrivals and defeated them 149-106 to level the series 1-1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 34 points, which is now becoming normal for him in the playoffs. Five of the starters reached double-digits and eight players participated throughout scored ten points and above. It also shot 56.2% on field goals and 44.4% on three-point shots while having 31 assists.
“We came out here desperate,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.
Denver, meanwhile, looked flat. Nikola Jokić scored just 17 points, while Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook added 14 and 19, respectively. More concerning were their 21 turnovers, which led to easy Thunder fast-break points.
Game 3 shifts to Denver on Friday, and the Nuggets will need to regroup fast.
Knicks Do It Again — Another Wild Comeback Against Boston
If you thought the Knicks’ Game 1 comeback was impressive, they somehow topped it in Game 2. Down by 20 points again, New York stormed back in the final quarter.
The Knicks entered the fourth down 12, but slowly chipped away. Jalen Brunson, this year’s Clutch Player of the Year, hit a go-ahead shot with under two minutes left. Mikal Bridges, who had been quiet all game, came alive in the final quarter with 14 points and a huge block on Jayson Tatum.
Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21. Brunson finished with 17.
The Celtics had their chances, but poor shooting hurt them again, just 36.2% from the field and 25% from 3-point range. Tatum, who dominated the Knicks in the regular season, struggled again with just 13 points on 5-of-20 shooting. He missed several big shots down the stretch, including a late turnover that sealed Boston’s fate.
For the second straight game, Boston looked shaken in the closing minutes.
The Thunder head to Denver with momentum, while the Knicks will return to New York with a chance to close in on a series win. Both series are heating up fast, and if Game 2 was any sign, fans are in for a wild ride.
