The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a first-round playoff sweep of the Phoenix Suns with a 131-122 victory on Monday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 31 points and eight assists, while Chet Holmgren contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell added 22 points and six assists, and Isaiah Hartenstein recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds. Alex Caruso chipped in 14 points off the bench. Mitchell and Caruso each made four three-pointers for the Thunder, who advanced to the second round for the third consecutive season. They will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets.
Suns Extend Playoff Losing Streak
Devin Booker scored 24 points for the Suns, while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 23 points each. Phoenix has now lost 10 straight playoff games, a streak dating back to 2023.
Magic Take 3-1 Lead Over Pistons
The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference first round. Desmond Bane scored 22 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 1:16 remaining. Franz Wagner added 19 points before leaving late in the third quarter with a calf injury. Paolo Banchero contributed 18 points, and Wendell Carter Jr posted 12 points and 11 rebounds. The top-seeded Pistons were held without a field goal in the final five minutes until Isaiah Stewart scored at the buzzer. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and eight turnovers.
Nuggets Keep Hopes Alive
Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 in Game 5 to stave off elimination. Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones posted a playoff career-high 20 points, and Cameron Johnson finished with 18 for the third-seeded Nuggets, who had lost three straight after winning Game 1 at home. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points and nine rebounds. Bones Hyland and Terrence Shannon Jr each scored 15 points. Jaden McDaniels, who was loudly booed whenever he touched the ball, added 13 points for the Timberwolves, who committed 25 turnovers.
