Patryk Stachowiak
Thunder Complete Sweep, Magic Force Game 5, Nuggets Cut Series Deficit
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the second round by finishing their first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns with a 131-122 victory. The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 series lead, while the Denver Nuggets controlled the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 to force a Game 6.
Thunder Earn Third Consecutive First-Round Sweep
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 26 points and 5 assists to lead Oklahoma City past Phoenix. Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points with 8 rebounds and 2 steals, while Ajay Mitchell added 18 points with a team-high +23 rating. The Thunder led by as many as 15 in a game that featured nine lead changes and six ties, securing their third consecutive first-round sweep in three years.
The Thunder shot 15-of-30 from three-point range. Collin Gillespie paced the Suns with 20 points and 6 made three-pointers, but Phoenix could not maintain the offensive pace required to stay competitive. Oklahoma City will face the winner of the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers series in the second round.
Magic Inches Closer to Historic Upset
The Magic won a defensive slugfest over Detroit despite shooting just 32.8% from the field. Desmond Bane led with 22 points and 5 three-pointers, Franz Wagner scored 19 points, and Paolo Banchero added 18 points with 8 rebounds.
Orlando forced 20 turnovers and won the rebounding battle 69-63, earning 10 additional field goal attempts. Wendell Carter Jr. played Jalen Duren to a standstill with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Tobias Harris scored 20 points. The Pistons shot just 6-of-30 from three-point range (20%).
An 8-seed has upset a 1-seed six times in NBA history: the Heat over the Bucks (2023), 76ers over the Bulls (2012), Grizzlies over the Spurs (2011), Warriors over the Mavericks (2007), Knicks over the Heat (1999), and the Nuggets over the SuperSonics (1994). The series reconvenes Wednesday at 7 ET on Prime Video.
Jokic Dominates as Nuggets Force Game 6
Nikola Jokic was commanding in Denver’s victory, posting 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists on just 16 shots. Cameron Johnson contributed 18 points and noted the team’s singular focus:
Tonight was the only thing that mattered. Everybody came out with the same mindset, the same focus.
The Nuggets forced 25 turnovers and dominated the paint with 62 points, controlling the matchup against Minnesota. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 26 points as six Minnesota players reached double figures. Denver trailed 3-2 in the series before this win. Game 6 takes place Thursday.
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