NBA Playoffs: Thunder and Celtics Victorious in Opening Games
In the NBA Playoffs, the Thunder, led by Alexander, defeated the Suns by a significant margin, while the Celtics, with Tatum and Brown combining for 51 points, crushed the 76ers, setting a franchise record for the largest winning margin in a playoff opener.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 09:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 10:00 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 10:44 (44 min after Collected)
According to AFP, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points, along with 7 assists and 2 blocks. Despite shooting only 5 of 18 from the field, he provided stable output with 15 of 17 free throws.
Teammate Jalen Williams contributed 22 points, and Chet Holmgren also scored 16 points. The Thunder are striving to become the first team since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 to successfully defend their title.
With enthusiastic support from the home crowd, the Thunder quickly took control of the game, at one point leading by as many as 25 points, and held a 21-point advantage at halftime. They extended the lead to 39 points in the fourth quarter.
Suns star Devin Booker scored 23 points in this game, but the team was almost powerless against the Thunder, who won 64 regular-season games for the best record in the league.
The Thunder will host Game 2 of the best-of-seven series at home on the 22nd, aiming to extend their lead.
In Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 51 points, leading the Celtics to a wire-to-wire victory, defeating the 76ers 123-91.
Facing a poor shooting performance from the 76ers, the Celtics achieved their largest winning margin in a playoff opening game in franchise history.
Tatum laid the foundation by scoring 21 points in the first half, and Brown scored 16 points in the third quarter to decisively widen the gap, leaving the 76ers unable to catch up. Tatum finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Both players spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench, resting for the continuation of the series at home on the 21st, after which the Eastern Conference series will move to Philadelphia.
Tatum, who returned from injury, emotionally stated after the game: 'Not long ago, I wasn't even sure if I could play this season, let alone have a chance to play in the playoffs. Today is probably the most exciting, most relaxed, and most grateful moment of my 9-year playoff career.' (Translator: Liu Wenyu) 0420
Teammate Jalen Williams contributed 22 points, and Chet Holmgren also scored 16 points. The Thunder are striving to become the first team since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 to successfully defend their title.
With enthusiastic support from the home crowd, the Thunder quickly took control of the game, at one point leading by as many as 25 points, and held a 21-point advantage at halftime. They extended the lead to 39 points in the fourth quarter.
Suns star Devin Booker scored 23 points in this game, but the team was almost powerless against the Thunder, who won 64 regular-season games for the best record in the league.
The Thunder will host Game 2 of the best-of-seven series at home on the 22nd, aiming to extend their lead.
In Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 51 points, leading the Celtics to a wire-to-wire victory, defeating the 76ers 123-91.
Facing a poor shooting performance from the 76ers, the Celtics achieved their largest winning margin in a playoff opening game in franchise history.
Tatum laid the foundation by scoring 21 points in the first half, and Brown scored 16 points in the third quarter to decisively widen the gap, leaving the 76ers unable to catch up. Tatum finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Both players spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench, resting for the continuation of the series at home on the 21st, after which the Eastern Conference series will move to Philadelphia.
Tatum, who returned from injury, emotionally stated after the game: 'Not long ago, I wasn't even sure if I could play this season, let alone have a chance to play in the playoffs. Today is probably the most exciting, most relaxed, and most grateful moment of my 9-year playoff career.' (Translator: Liu Wenyu) 0420