What an unexpected but glorious afternoon by the Oklahoma City Thunder in their inaugural playoff game. In response they obliterated the Memphis Grizzlies by an utterly shocking score of 131-80. This commanding victory was the biggest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history. It was a reminder of the Thunder’s clear potential as they look to make further waves this postseason.
In the process, the Thunder netted a thoroughly intimidating 51-point win, the fifth-largest margin ever in an NBA playoff game. They came only seven points shy of tying the overall record! In the modern era of the NFL, there have only been five playoff games that finished with a jaw dropping 50-point margin or more. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the record, set in 1973 when they pummeled the Golden State Warriors by 56 points. In 2015, the Chicago Bulls crushed the Milwaukee Bucks, winning by a staggering 54 points. Furthermore, the Denver Nuggets and the Minneapolis Lakers both logged their own head-whipping wins by a 58-point spread.
Jalen Williams was a force for Oklahoma City, scoring 20 points and wreaking havoc on the defensive end. The thunderful rookie sensation Chet Holmgren was impressive, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s scoring champion who averaged almost 33 points per game, was held to just 15 points in this contest. Even with his struggles the rest of the team shot over 50.5% from the field as a whole.
The Thunder’s first round dominance was shocking enough, but combined with the Thunder’s historical situation with the Grizzlies, it was downright shocking. On December 2, 2021, Memphis threw a record-setting stone at Oklahoma City’s head. Plus, their historic victory on the state’s 73-point regular season mercy rule. This latest victory serves as a stark turnaround for the franchise, showcasing their growth and resilience.
As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander echoed after the game on the team’s unwavering disposition all season long,
“Nothing more, nothing less than that. 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.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder’s commanding win sets a strong tone for their playoff campaign, positioning them as formidable contenders in the West. As they turn their eyes towards Game 2, they would like to continue their streak of excellence. That will allow them to further clarify their top seed positioning in the playoffs.
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