The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night, smashing the Denver Nuggets 149-106 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-finals and tying the series 1-1 with a historic offensive explosion.
After surrendering a double-digit lead in their Game 1 loss, the top-seeded Thunder showed no intention of letting history repeat itself. Fueled by intensity and sharp execution, Oklahoma City erupted for an eye-popping 87 points in the first half — the most ever scored in the opening two quarters of an NBA playoff game.
That total broke the previous record of 86 set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals against Golden State, and tied the all-time playoff half-point record held by the 1978 Milwaukee Bucks.
Shai Shines Bright in Must-Win Game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the heartbeat of OKC’s dominance, dropping 34 points on an ultra-efficient 11-of-13 shooting from the field. He also nailed all 11 of his free-throw attempts in a game where he made it look easy.
“We came out here desperate,” said Gilgeous-Alexander postgame. “Being down 2-0 wasn’t an option for us. We knew we had to respond — and we did the necessary things to get this W.”
Jalen Williams added 17 points, and rising star Chet Holmgren delivered a well-rounded performance with 15 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, anchoring a defense that stifled Denver from start to finish.
SGA, THUNDER SCORE FRANCHISE-PLAYOFF RECORD 149 POINTS!
⚡️ 34 PTS
⚡️ 8 AST
⚡️ 11-13 FGM (84.6%)
⚡️ +51 while on court
⚡️ OKC ties series 1-1 pic.twitter.com/IDzHjXi4yU— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2025
Total Team Effort
This was more than just a one-man show. Eight Thunder players scored in double figures, highlighting the depth and cohesion that made them the No. 1 seed in the West. From bench contributions to lockdown defense, Oklahoma City clicked on all fronts.
The Thunder shot 70% in the first quarter and carried that momentum into a second period that saw them build an unassailable lead. Their pressure on both ends rattled the Nuggets, who found no answers for the speed and precision OKC brought to the floor.
Denver in Disarray
Denver’s superstar center Nikola Jokic, who exploded for 42 points in Game 1, was held to just 17 points in Game 2 and committed six turnovers. His night ended early when he fouled out late in the third quarter, leaving the Nuggets shell-shocked.
Russell Westbrook led Denver in scoring with 19 points, but nothing could stop the Thunder from dominating. Oklahoma City led by as many as 49 points — the largest margin of any playoff game this season — as the Nuggets looked a shadow of the team that rallied to win Game 1.
Thunder Making History in Style
The 87-point first-half outburst will be remembered as one of the greatest offensive halves in NBA playoff history. Every possession felt deliberate. Every bucket electrified the crowd. And every defensive stop turned into fast-break gold.
Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins provided valuable contributions off the bench, while Josh Giddey controlled the tempo and dished out 11 assists in a game that showcased the Thunder’s versatility and poise.
OKC JUST DROPPED 87 IN THE 1ST HALF
The MOST points in a half in the postseason in the play-by-play era (1997-98) pic.twitter.com/taNwfzC5vP
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2025
Next Stop: Ball Arena
Game 3 shifts to Denver on Friday, where the Nuggets must regroup quickly to avoid falling behind in the series. For Oklahoma City, this win wasn’t just about leveling the series — it was about sending a message to the rest of the NBA: the Thunder are for real, and they’re not done making history.
With momentum on their side and playoff records in the books, the Thunder have reignited their postseason campaign in emphatic fashion.
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