BBNBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits game-winning 3-point play as Thunder outlast Pelicans in Game 1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has put up an MVP performance throughout the regular season, so why stop now that the playoffs have begun? In a relatively low-scoring slugfest with the 8-seed New Orleans Pelicans, the top seed in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder came out on top 94-92.

With the game tied at 90 in the closing minute, Gilgeous-Alexander hit a tough falling-away jumper while getting fouled. He completed the and-one, putting OKC up for good and securing a Game 1 victory.

When there’s a Shai, there’s a way 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Ej17LHSOeC

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 22, 2024

SGA finished with a game-high 28 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists.

On a side note, shout out to the fans of Oklahoma City. The NBA doesn’t always get the best reputation for a rowdy in-game atmosphere but don’t tell that to the Thunder faithful. There wasn’t a soul in that building who didn’t put in the XXL free t-shirt on top of their Polo and aggressively cheer the entire game.

Afterward, Gilgeous-Alexander said of the crowd, “That is exactly what I expected. They were perfect.”

Take note, Rupp.

As for the two other former Wildcats on the Thunder, Olivier Sarr dressed but did not see action in the game and Cason Wallace had his usual steady outing by knocking down a 3 and playing good defense. He ended the game with five points in 19 minutes off the bench.

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro can’t will Heat to win over the Celtics; same for PJ Washington’s Mavericks to the Clippers

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder gave us some drama in their Game 1, the other three games of the Sunday playoff NBA slate featured nothing but blowouts. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 35 points, but the Heat ran into the buzzsaw that is the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics do not feature any former Kentucky players, but it is tough to see anyone beating that group. They have almost no weaknesses from top to bottom and are the favorite to win for good reason.

In other action, PJ Washington knocked down a couple of 3s for the Mavericks, but despite that (and a statistically masterful performance from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving who combined for 64 points) was not enough to threaten the LA Clippers who ran away with Game 1. Washington was the only Maverick to score in double figures aside from Doncic and Irving, so Dallas is going to need much more production from the role players if they are going to beat the Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard.

Finally, the Milwaukee Bucks, who were without their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well, steamrolled the Pacers in Game 1. Isaiah Jackson only played two minutes in the loss and Oscar Tshiebwe did not dress. Similarly for the Bucks, Chris Livingston did not play and TyTy Washington did not suit up.

BBNBA Statistics for 4/21/2024

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	94-92 W vs. NOP	28	6-14 (2-6)	6	4	0	0	3	-1	39
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	94-114 L vs. BOS	24	10-18 (0-2)	6	3	0	0	2	-6	36
PJ Washington (DAL)	97-109 L vs. LAC	11	4-10 (2-7)	7	0	2	1	0	-1	37
Tyler Herro (MIA)	94-114 L vs. BOS	11	4-13 (3-9)	4	4	1	0	2	-12	34
Cason Wallace (OKC)	94-92 W vs. NOP	5	2-3 (1-2)	1	1	0	0	0	-4	19
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	94-109 L vs. MIL	0	0-0 (0-0)	0	0	0	0	0	-4	2
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	109-97 W vs. DAL	DNP-CD
Olivier Sarr (OKC) [Two-way]	94-92 W vs. NOP	DNP-CD
Chris Livingston (MIL)	109-94 W vs. IND	DNP-CD
TyTy Washington (MIL)	109-94 W vs. IND	Did not dress
Oscar Tshiebwe (IND) [Two-way]	94-109 L vs. MIL	Did not dress

Tonight in the NBA

Round 1 | Game 2 | CLE leads 1-0
7:00 (NBA TV): Magic @ Cavaliers

Round 1 | Game 2 | NYK lead 1-0
7:30 (TNT/TruTV): 76ers (Maxey: questionable due to illness) @ Knicks (Randle: out)

Round 1 | Game 2 | DEN leads 1-0
10:00 (TNT/TruTV): Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt: out) @ Nuggets (Murray)