Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 factors and the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder swept into the second spherical of the NBA playoffs on Monday with a 131-122 victory at Phoenix.
The highest-seeded Thunder captured the Western Convention best-of-seven sequence 4-0, finishing a 3rd consecutive sweep within the opening spherical.
“We simply got here in prepared,” stated Gilgeous-Alexander. “Like to play basketball, a gaggle stuffed with nice youngsters which have enjoyable collectively.
“We do it for one another. None of us are egocentric. All of us need the following man to succeed and when you could have these three issues and put them collectively you get success.”
Oklahoma Metropolis will meet both Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in a second-round sequence. The Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.
“Finally, we’ve obtained to get higher within the days between our subsequent opponent,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.
The Thunder turned the primary workforce to achieve the second spherical on the identical night time the upstart Orlando Magic pushed Japanese Convention high seed Detroit to the brink of elimination with a 94-88 triumph to grab a 3-1 sequence benefit.
Denver Nuggets prevented an early exit as Serbian middle Nikola Jokic had a triple double with 27 factors, 16 assists and 12 rebounds to spark the hosts over Minnesota 125-113, pulling Denver inside 3-2 in opposition to the Timberwolves.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Invaluable Participant who had a playoff profession excessive 42 factors in a sport three victory, added eight assists to spark a visiting Thunder squad that boasts the highest post-season scoring assault and defensive statistics.
Chet Holmgren added 24 factors and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who additionally had 22 factors from Ajay Mitchell and 18 factors and 12 rebounds from Isaiah Hartenstein.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 factors.
At Orlando, Desmond Bane scored 22 factors, hitting 5-of-10 pictures from three-point vary to guide the Magic, who can ship off the Pistons with a victory on Wednesday in Detroit.
Franz Wagner scored 19 factors for Orlando earlier than being benched with a sore proper calf whereas Paolo Banchero added 18 and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Pistons, whose 60-22 report topped the East, should win three in a row to keep away from an epic ouster by the hands of eighth seed Orlando, which went 45-37.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 factors whereas Tobias Harris added 20 for the Pistons, who dedicated 20 turnovers, twice as many as Orlando.
The Magic haven’t reached the second spherical of the playoffs since 2010, dropping six sequence within the first spherical and lacking the post-season 9 occasions.
The Pistons haven’t reached the second spherical since 2008, dropping 4 first-round matchups and lacking the playoffs 13 occasions.
Financial institution open for Bane
Bane banked in a three-point shot with 1:16 remaining to present the Magic a 92-86 lead and Orlando added late free throws to seal Detroit’s destiny, the Pistons going greater than 5 minutes with out a basket from the ground.
At Denver, the Nuggets pressured a sport six at Minnesota on Thursday with a blowout triumph due to three-time NBA MVP Jokic and his teammates.
Jamal Murray scored 24 factors, Spencer Jones had 20 and Cameron Johnson added 18 for Denver whereas Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 factors.
“We did job of bringing the vitality for 48 minutes,” Murray stated. “We’ve obtained to be poised and relaxed after we go to their constructing.”
The T-Wolves had been with out two high guards. Anthony Edwards is out with a bone bruise and hyper-extended left knee whereas Donte DiVincenzo will miss the rest of the playoffs with a ruptured proper Achilles tendon.
Revealed on Apr 28, 2026