Thunder bounce back with record-setting win over Nuggets to tie series 1-1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 factors in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder set league and group data in a 149-106 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday evening that tied the Western Convention semifinal sequence at one sport apiece.

Oklahoma Metropolis set an NBA playoff document for first-half factors with 87, surpassing the 86 scored by the Cleveland Cavaliers in opposition to the Golden State Warriors in Sport 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2017. Chet Holmgren, who missed two crucial free throws late in Sport 1, made a pair with one second remaining within the second quarter to set the document and provides the Thunder an 87-56 lead.

The Thunder tied the document for factors in any half of a playoff sport. Milwaukee had 87 within the second half in opposition to Denver on April 23, 1978.

Oklahoma Metropolis grew to become the primary house group to win a sport within the second spherical. Sport 3 is Friday in Denver.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 11 of 13 area targets, all 11 of his free throws and had eight assists. He led eight gamers who scored in double figures.

Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 19 factors. Nikola Jokic, who had 42 factors and 22 rebounds for Denver in a Sport 1 win, had simply 17 factors and eight rebounds on Wednesday earlier than fouling out late within the third quarter.

The group cheered for Westbrook, the ex-Thunder star, when he entered Sport 1 as a reserve for Denver, however booed him shortly after he entered Sport 2. Westbrook bought referred to as for a technical foul moments later, and Gilgeous-Alexander made the free throw to make it 34-13.

The Thunder led 45-21 on the finish of the primary quarter after capturing 71.4% from the sector and setting a group document for factors in 1 / 4 in a playoff sport.

Oklahoma Metropolis continued its dominance within the second quarter. A lob from Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams for a two-handed jam gave the Thunder a 78-43 lead.

Oklahoma Metropolis led 124-76 after three quarters. The most important lead was 49 factors.

Reporting by The Related Press.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter each day!