Wednesday night in Oklahoma City was a showcase of offensive prowess, as the Thunder erupted for a staggering 87 points in the first half against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series. This remarkable performance not only set an NBA playoff record for first-half scoring but also underscored just how explosive this Thunder team can be.
Previously held by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who scored 86 points against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals, the record fell at the hands of a Thunder squad that was firing on all cylinders. Chet Holmgren, making amends for some shaky moments late in Game 1 by hitting two crucial free throws with a mere second left on the clock, played a pivotal role in securing this new benchmark.
By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Thunder had already tied the record for points in any playoff half—a feat reminiscent of the Milwaukee Bucks, who scored 87 points in a second half against the Nuggets back in 1978. Oklahoma City shot an impressive 58.8% from the field and converted 17 of 18 free throws, building a commanding 87-56 lead.
Leading the charge was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who racked up 18 points in the first half alone and finished the game with a remarkable stat line of 34 points and eight assists in just three quarters of play. In a night filled with scoring explosions, all five Thunder starters ended the first half in double figures, illustrating a well-rounded offensive effort that left the Nuggets scrambling.
In fact, the Thunder’s 149-106 victory marked a historic moment in postseason history, as Oklahoma City became the first team to notch two playoff wins by at least 40 points, previously having drummed Memphis 131-80 in the first round.
Denver’s interim coach David Adelman acknowledged the Thunder’s relentless ability to dominate, citing their impressive plus-minus numbers that point to their effective closing ability. “You’ve got to have a much better start than that,” he noted pointedly, indicating that the Nuggets’ slow start was a recipe for disaster against a team this potent.
Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault offered a contrasting perspective, explaining that his team didn’t view the Game 2 performance as a direct reaction to their narrow loss in Game 1. Rather, it was a return to their identity. “We don’t really respond to the last game,” Daigneault asserted. “I think this team has a really good baseline that we just try to return to every day when the sun comes up and we have a game.”
That philosophy seems to serve them well, and if this latest showing is any indication, the Thunder are firmly in the conversation as one of the most formidable teams in this year’s playoffs. With their explosive talent and a resolute attitude, they are poised to make a significant impact as the postseason unfolds.
