LOS ANGELES — The Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 on Sunday, marking the most lopsided Game 1 win in NBA playoff history.
Despite a quiet night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had just 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds, all Thunder starters scored in double figures. Jalen Williams added 20 points and six assists, while Aaron Wiggins chipped in 21 off the bench.
“We played to our identity,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “It’s going to be the key to our success — just be the true who we are.”
The 51-point blowout is the fifth-largest margin in playoff history and a franchise record for Oklahoma City.
Ja Morant led Memphis with 17 points and vowed improvement: “We’ll never play that bad again,” he said.
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic 103-86, behind Derrick White’s 30 points.
Jayson Tatum scored 17 and finished the game after a hard fall in the fourth quarter.
“It was just a good response there in the second half,” White said.
Jaylen Brown added 16 and Payton Pritchard had 19 off the bench. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 36 points and 11 rebounds.
The Cleveland Cavaliers downed the Miami Heat 121-100. Donovan Mitchell led with 30 points, and Ty Jerome scored 28, including 16 in the fourth quarter.
“The thing that makes us special — it can be anybody any night,” said Mitchell. “We didn’t accomplish anything. We just took care of our first job at home.”
In Houston, the Golden State Warriors held off a late rally from the Rockets for a 95-85 win. Stephen Curry scored 31 points, hitting 12 of 19 from the field, including five three-pointers. Jimmy Butler added 25 points and filled the stat sheet.
“Stayed in it,” Butler said. “Gave up a little run, but in the end we won.”