The Oklahoma City Thunder just joined elite company, becoming only the second team in NBA history to win 60 games by at least 10 points across regular season and playoffs combined. The only other team to accomplish this feat? The 2016-17 Golden State Warriors – who went on to win the championship.
That’s some pretty impressive company to keep.
Thursday night’s 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals put the Thunder up 2-0 in the series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrated his MVP award in style, matching his playoff career high with 38 points. He shot an efficient 57.1% from the field and made 11 of his 19 free throws.
SGA also dished out eight assists and snagged three steals in his 41 minutes on the court.
The 26-year-old admitted the emotional night affected his play early on.
"I feel like all my emotions were so high, but I was a little bit tired out there, especially at the start," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I was a little too juiced up. Special moment. I’m happy we won so I can really enjoy the last couple days and soak it up. That really helps."
Who could blame him? Just hours earlier, Commissioner Adam Silver had presented him with his first-ever MVP trophy in a pre-game ceremony.
Despite the emotions, SGA was perfect in the first quarter, making all three of his shot attempts. He had 19 points by halftime, including a three-pointer in the final seconds before the break.
The stats behind Shai’s dominance are mind-blowing.
During the regular season, he had 19 games with 30+ points without multiple turnovers, tying his own record from last year.
No other NBA player had more than eight such games this season.
And in the playoffs? He’s already done it four times – more than any other player.
Over the past six quarters of basketball, Gilgeous-Alexander has poured in 58 points on 20-of-35 shooting.
"He came ready to play," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "We knew Minnesota, off of Game 1, would come up and play the way they did. They were putting us in closeouts. They were passing the ball."
"And they were sharp early in the game. It’s a pretty predictable thing, but it’s not until you get out in the game that you’re navigating it and that’s when you need guys to lead."
SGA wasn’t the only Thunder player who showed up big.
Jalen Williams contributed a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Chet Holmgren added 22 points of his own.
The Thunder’s defensive prowess was also recognized league-wide this week. Lu Dort (who had nine points and eight rebounds in Game 2) was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while Williams earned Second-Team honors for the first time in his career.
The series now shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Saturday.
The Timberwolves will be looking to defend their home court, where they’ve gone 4-1 this postseason.
