Preface

On a historical night in the NBA playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder etched their name in the record books by scoring a remarkable 87 points in the first half against the Denver Nuggets. This record-setting performance came during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, showcasing the Thunder's explosive offensive prowess and highlighting their resilience after a narrow defeat in Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with his exceptional play, solidifying the Thunder's presence as a formidable contender in the postseason.

Lazy bag

Oklahoma City Thunder set an NBA playoff record with 87 first-half points, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's stellar performance.

Main Body

The Oklahoma City Thunder have carved out a stunning piece of NBA history by breaking the playoff record for most points scored in the first half of a game. Achieving this feat against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder's performance was characterized by precision and a relentless offensive strategy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the pivotal player, amassing 18 points by halftime and driving his team forward in a bid to even the series after their loss in Game 1.

The previous benchmark for first-half scoring was 86, held by the Cleveland Cavaliers since June 9, 2017, in the Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Through cohesive teamwork and strategic adjustments, the Thunder exceeded this with seconds to spare in the half, emphasizing their offensive capabilities. Chet Holmgren contributed to this achievement by making two free throws just before halftime. The Thunder's spectacular 58.8% field goal percentage and near-perfect free throw performance (17 of 18) underscored their dominance, leading them to a commanding 87-56 halftime lead.

The Thunder's victory, finishing at 149-106, also tied the record for the highest-scoring half in playoff history—Milwaukee having set this in 1978 against the Nuggets. Besides Gilgeous-Alexander's excellent play, all Thunder starters scored in double figures, a testament to the team's depth and talent.

Coach Mark Daigneault attributed the victory to the team's steadfast approach rather than a reactionary strategy. He emphasized that maintaining a consistent baseline was key to their success, irrespective of previous game outcomes. This philosophy was apparent as the Thunder secured their place in history by becoming the first playoff team to win multiple games by a margin of at least 40 points.

Despite the remarkable victory, the Thunder's journey in the 2025 playoffs is far from over. As they prepare for the continued challenges of the playoffs, both the Thunder and Nuggets are set to demonstrate the resilience and strategy that have brought them this far.

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