The Oklahoma City Thunder made a statement in their first NBA game. They crushed the Memphis Grizzlies with a 51-point win. Surprisingly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was not the leading scorer or the top assist man. Even so, the Thunder outplayed the Grizzlies from start to finish. Despite the dominant performance, head coach Mark Daigneault surprisingly urged caution ahead the Game 2.
“We did a good job tonally to start the game. We were ready to play, thought we were tight in our stuff, and like I said, set a good, but they played 36 hours ago, and had an emotional game…Had to turn around and play at noon today, which is a really tough turnaround. So, they’re going to be better Tuesday. I thought we did a really good job, but I don’t think we can expect that from them. They’re going to play a lot better than that,” stated Daigneault.
The Thunder’s performance in their NBA playoff opener confirms what we saw all season. This team remained consistent from start to finish. If I had to explain their season, I would highlight two games. One is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s last regular-season game against the Utah Jazz. The other is this dominant win over the Grizzlies. These games show how well the Thunder use Shai’s scoring ability. But they also prove the team can shine without him.
Head coach Mark Daigneault deserves credit for building a balanced and complete roster. He turned Oklahoma City into a united team. The Thunder now play with intensity, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the franchise’s undeniable cornerstone. However, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Aaron Wiggins are always ready to step up. This depth gives the team confidence in high-pressure moments.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives high-praise to the franchise GM Sam Presti
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having what may be the best season of his NBA career. His talent has reached new heights, and he is now recognized as one of the league’s top players. Many believe his success goes beyond his individual skill. The franchise has done a great job building the right roster around him, and that has made a difference.
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Thunder beat Grizzlies by 51 points (131-80): What’s the biggest win in NBA playoffs history?
After the win over the Grizzlies, Shai took a moment to show his appreciation. He praised Thunder General Manager Sam Presti. “Sam specifically, and the organization, has given me a runway to figure it out, and kind of just feel it out throughout my career — I think that’s why I’m the player I am today…I had a clean runway. I didn’t have to worry about making mistakes. I could just trust my work and learn from my experiences. So, yeah, he has a big part.”
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