*Thunder Blitzes Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1, Sets NBA Playoff Record for Largest Margin of Victory*
The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series, marking the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA postseason history. This 51-point margin was the largest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history.
*Key Highlights:*
– *Thunder’s Dominant Performance*: Aaron Wiggins scored 21 points, Jalen Williams added 20 points, and Chet Holmgren contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points, emphasizing the team’s identity as the key to their success.
– *Grizzlies Struggle*: Ja Morant scored 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting, while Jaren Jackson Jr. managed only 4 points on 2-for-13 shooting. The Grizzlies shot just 34.4% overall.
– *Series Lead*: The Thunder now lead the series 1-0, with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday. Coach Mark Daigneault expects a closer game, as the Grizzlies will look to bounce back.
*Historical Context:*
The Thunder’s 51-point margin falls short of the record 58-point margins set by Denver against New Orleans in 2009 and the Minneapolis Lakers against the St. Louis Hawks in 1956. Other notable large margins include the Los Angeles Lakers beating Golden State by 56 points in 1973 and the Chicago Bulls beating the Milwaukee Bucks by 54 points in 2015.¹
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