Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

NBA Playoffs 2025 Thunder vs Nuggets Game 2: OKC Thunder Respond with Record-Breaking First-Half Explosion to Pack Nuggets in Game 2

The Thunder-Nuggets series is now tied 1-1.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder handed a 149-106 defeat to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinals series on Wednesday, May 7. Having suffered a setback in the series opener, the Thunder made a stunning comeback in a historic gameplay to level the series 1-1 against their No. 4 counterparts.

Series tied 😤 pic.twitter.com/v6CdzpBkNc
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 8, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charts with 34 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. Apart from him, a total of seven players finished in double-digit scores. While Jalen Williams dropped 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, Chet Holmgren chipped in 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out two assists.

The Nuggets, who were in prolific form in the series opener, struggled offensively on Wednesday night, and no player from the lineup could reach the 20-point mark. Russell Westbrook led their scoresheet with 19 points, one rebounds, and five assists. Nikola Jokic poured in 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

The game saw the Thunder set an NBA playoff record for most-points in the first half with 87 points. With this, they surpassed the previous record set by Cleveland Cavaliers with 86 points in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

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Also Read: NBA Playoffs Celtics vs Knicks Game 2: Knicks Drop Another 20-Point Comeback against Celtics to Go 2-0 Heading to MSG

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Scripts NBA History in Game 2 vs. Nuggets

Apart from setting the record for a highest-scoring half in a playoff fixture, Game 2 between the Nuggets and the Thunder also saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enter his name into the record books. In 30 minutes of action during the game, SGA dropped 34 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and had eight assists. He was shooting 11-for-13 from the field and 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a +51 tonight.

The highest +/- in a playoff game in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/AvQh9rUbYR
— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 8, 2025

The 26-year-old finished the night with a +51 plus/minus, recording for the highest in a playoff game in NBA history. Not only this, but he also had the third-most efficient 34+ points playoff game in the play-by-play era. He finished the first half with 18 points, seven assists, while shooting 6-for-8 from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander had a +34 plus/minus, the fifth highest +/- in a playoff half ever.

SGA, who is an MVP frontrunner this season, reflected on the win and said that they headed into the game with the mindset to win it. The Canadian said, “We came out here desperate. We knew what it would look like going down 0-2 on the road. That wasn’t really an option for us. We knew that waking up this morning and we did the necessary things to get a W.”

Moving ahead in the series, action will now shift to Ball Arena in Denver for Game 3 on Friday, May 8.

Also Read: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Playoffs Record – What is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Win-Loss Record in the NBA Playoffs?

Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City Thunder

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.