The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 119-84 in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs on April 19, 2026.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points but shot just 5 for 18 in 29 minutes, marking an off-night for the Thunder’s leading scorer. Despite his inefficiency, Oklahoma City’s defense held Phoenix to 35 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers. The Thunder outrebounded the Suns 52-34 and scored 24 fast-break points, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities.
In the other Sunday game, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 at the Frost Bank Center. Victor Wembanyama made his postseason debut with 21 points in the first half, the highest scoring output by a player in their playoff opening half since play-by-play tracking began. He also recorded four assists and held Portland’s shooters scoreless on six attempts before halftime.
Wembanyama finished with 30 points and five 3-pointers, becoming only the third player in NBA history to achieve that stat line in a playoff debut, joining Kyrie Irving (2015) and Jordan Poole (2022). The Spurs wore all-black suits for the game, a departure from their usual casual attire, signaling a focused approach to the series opener.
For more on this story, see NBA: Thunder & Spurs Streak, Wemby Wows, Playoff Race Heats Up!.
Portland relied heavily on Deni Avdija for offense, as Scoot Henderson and Robert Williams III were the only other Trail Blazers to reach double figures through three quarters. The Spurs had five players score at least 10 points, showing balanced contributions beyond Wembanyama’s performance.
Oklahoma City and San Antonio both won by double digits despite uneven performances from their stars, suggesting depth and defensive discipline could define early playoff success. The Thunder will look to improve shooting efficiency in Game 2, even as the Spurs aim to maintain their defensive intensity against a Portland team needing more scoring support.
This follows our earlier report, Detroit Pistons NBA Playoff Schedule and First-Round Outlook.
How did the Thunder win despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s poor shooting?
Oklahoma City relied on defensive pressure, rebounding dominance, and fast-break scoring to offset Gilgeous-Alexander’s 5-for-18 shooting night.
What made Wembanyama’s debut historic?
He became the third player in NBA history to record at least 30 points and five 3-pointers in a playoff debut, joining Kyrie Irving and Jordan Poole.