NBA Playoffs: Thunder trashed Nuggets to tie, Knicks repeat comeback to grab 2-0 lead
NBA Conference Semifinals Game 2s saw contrasting but impactful results. The Thunder delivered a dominant, record-setting rout of the Nuggets to tie their series 1-1. Meanwhile, the Knicks repeated their Game 1 comeback, against the Celtics to take a surprising 2-0 series lead.
Wednesday night delivered a pair of dramatically different but equally significant outcomes in the NBA Playoff Conference Semifinals Game 2s. The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back emphatically against the Denver Nuggets, while the New York Knicks pulled off a stunning repeat performance against the Boston Celtics, creating intriguing series dynamics heading into Game 3s.
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(1) Denver Nuggets-Oklahoma City Thunder (1): 106-149
In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder responded to their heartbreaking Game 1 loss with a dominant 149-106 victory over the Denver Nuggets, tying the series at 1-1. The Thunder came out with clear "desperation" after losing Game 1 on a buzzer-beater, delivering a "statement game" that showcased their regular-season dominance. They established control early, not trailing after an early Lu Dort three, and went on a 30-9 run. Their 45-21 first quarter set the tone for a rout, and their 87-56 first-half lead set an NBA record for points in a half in the play-by-play era, opening the "floodgates."
Oklahoma City's team performance was exceptional, shooting 56.2% from the field and 44.4% from three, tallying 31 assists and 12 steals while committing only nine turnovers compared to the Nuggets' 21. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 34 points, and eight Thunder players finished in double digits, including all five starters. The Nuggets struggled to meet OKC's "physicality" and turned the ball over "way too much," fueling the Thunder's transition game.
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Nikola Jokic had 17 points, Russell Westbrook 19, and Jamal Murray 14 for Denver. Gilgeous-Alexander has been outstanding in the series so far, averaging 33.5 points on 59% shooting through two games. The series now shifts to Denver for Game 3 on Friday.
(1) Boston Celtics-New York Knicks (2): 90-91
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New York Knicks pulled off a stunning repeat performance against the Boston Celtics, winning 91-90 to take a surprising 2-0 series lead. In a case of "déjà vu," the Knicks once again overcame a 20-point deficit against the Celtics on Boston's home floor, mirroring their Game 1 comeback. New York was down by 12 heading into the fourth quarter but chipped away, cutting the deficit late and taking their first lead through Jalen Brunson (who finished with 17 points).
Mikal Bridges delivered another clutch performance, scoring all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and providing a game-winning defensive play late, described as "obliterating a Tatum shot." Josh Hart (23 points) and Towns (21) were also key contributors for the Knicks. The Celtics had another difficult shooting night, hitting only 36.2% from the field and 10 of 40 attempts from three-point range. While Derrick White and Jaylen Brown scored 20 points each, Jayson Tatum struggled significantly, finishing with only 13 points on poor shooting (5/20) and committing a crucial turnover on the final possession after Brunson's go-ahead free throws.
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His struggles highlighted the value of Bridges' clutch defense. The article suggests the Celtics look "tired" and "rattled," especially when their three-point shots aren't falling, despite the margins in the game being "minuscule." Their reliance on inconsistent three-point shooting is seen as a hindrance. The Knicks head back to New York with a shocking 2-0 lead for Game 3 on Saturday.
