In a thrilling match, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander excelled with 34 points in just three quarters, as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets with a score of 149-106, leveling the series at 1-1 during the Western Conference semifinals.

Oklahoma City shattered the previous playoff record by scoring 87 points in the first half, outdoing the Cleveland Cavaliers’ previous record of 86 from the NBA Finals in 2017. Chet Holmgren, who had faced challenges in Game 1, redeemed himself with crucial free throws that set the new record heading into halftime.

The Thunder’s feat included matching the playoff record for most points in a half, previously held by Milwaukee, which had 87 points in the second half against Denver in 1978. Moreover, this victory marked the first time a home team won in the second round. Game 3 will unfold on Friday in Denver.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s shooting was stellar; he hit 11 of 13 field goal attempts, scored all his 11 free throws, and contributed eight assists. The Thunder had eight players in double-digit scoring. Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets by scoring 19 points, while Nikola Jokic struggled, finishing with only 17 points and fouled out late in the game.

The atmosphere was charged as the crowd cheered Westbrook, a former star for Oklahoma City, upon his entrance in Game 1 and jeered shortly after he received a technical foul soon after entering Game 2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander converted a free throw shortly after that to extend the Thunder’s lead.

At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder led 45-21, achieving a remarkable shooting accuracy of 71.4%. They continued this dominance into the second quarter, including a highlight lob from Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams for a spectacular dunk, pushing the lead to 78-43.

By the end of three quarters, the Thunder was ahead by 124-76, reaching a massive lead of 49 points.