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The reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, secured their second consecutive home victory in their Western Conference NBA Playoffs first-round series, defeating the Phoenix Suns 120-107. The Thunder replicated their dominant performance from Game 1, once again led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After taking the lead early in the second quarter, the home team never relinquished their advantage, closing out the game and taking a commanding 2-0 series lead.
A day after receiving the Clutch Player of the Year award, Gilgeous-Alexander once again proved his worth, tallying 37 points and dishing out 9 assists. The Thunder played without one of their other stars, Jalen Williams, who exited the game in the third quarter with a thigh injury and did not return, but still finished with 19 points. Center Chet Holmgren contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein's 6 offensive rebounds were crucial to the final outcome.
Dillon Brooks led the scoring for Phoenix with 30 points before being ejected from the game due to accumulated fouls. Devin Booker scored 22 points, and Jalen Green added 21 for the Arizona squad, who will host the next two games of the series.
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