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00:00Booker on the baseline.
00:04Nine Phoenix turnovers, just 13
00:07baskets.
00:09Dork drives, binds Jalen
00:12Williams.
00:12Floater is good for J-Dub.
00:15Williams now in double figures
00:17with 11.
00:19All-Star a year ago, third-team
00:22All-NBA, had a 40-point game in
00:24the finals, but injuries dropped
00:27him of more than half of this
00:29season, but back healthy now.
00:33Green has it stripped, but a foul
00:35called.
00:36He'll go to the line for two.
00:39It's on Caruso, his second.
00:40Let's go out shake.
00:41He'll just say, Alexander, his
00:42footwork, guys, is so incredible.
00:45So he's going to go off the
00:46bounce.
00:46Look where his shoulders are
00:48facing, and somehow has the
00:50balance and the body control to
00:53get back to where he needs to be
00:55and the touch, right?
00:58I mean, look at that.
00:59You mentioned this earlier.
01:01I think it deserves repeating.
01:02The first guard in NBA history to
01:05average 30 points per game and
01:07shoot 55% from the floor.
01:10Rarely had an off night.
01:11He had 20 or more points on 140
01:13consecutive games.
01:14That's an NBA record.
01:17Because he's so efficient, he'll
01:20defer when he needs to.
01:22He'll look to score when he needs
01:24to.
01:24He's not a high turnover guy.
01:26Think about the number of games
01:28that were, you know, quote, clutch
01:31games, and how not only did he
01:34become the leading scorer in
01:36clutch, he does it while shooting
01:3750% in clutch time.
01:40Dort's three no good.
01:41I mean, he could win both MVP and
01:43clutch player of the year.
01:48Green gets past Caruso.
01:50Holmgren with the help, and
01:51Green comes up short.
01:52It pinballs to Dort.
01:54They do that, right?
01:55As soon as you touch paint, the
01:57number of times they're going to
01:58bring help in there.
02:00And it's quality help.
02:01It's Holmgren.
02:02It's J. Will.
02:07Dort drives.
02:08The skip to Holmgren.
02:10His three is there.
02:13Two threes for Holmgren.
02:15He's got 16 points.
02:16And he's got 16 points.
02:18He's made all four of his
02:19free throws.
02:19He's got seven boards.
02:22He's played elite defensively.
02:26A minute to go in the half.
02:28Unable to answer is Ryan Dunn,
02:30but Booker gets another chance,
02:32and he knocks down the triple.
02:34But again, it's Oso on the
02:36interior doing work.
02:38Using that athleticism.
02:40If he can't board it, he's
02:41chipping it out.
02:43Egedaro, second-year player,
02:45out of Marquette.
02:46Suns back within 19.
02:49And Booker called for the foul
02:51on Dort.
02:53They did have one to give.
02:54That's the first in the last two
02:56minutes, second personal on Booker.
02:57I know what the score is, but I'm
02:59impressed by Egedaro because he is
03:01absolutely battling.
03:03Two bodies around him, yet another
03:05tip that leads to a three-point
03:07shot.
03:08And one of the cleaner, easier looks
03:10for Booker.
03:11The ovation is for Jared McCain, who
03:14just checked into the game for
03:16Oklahoma City.
03:17He's only been here for half a year
03:18yet.
03:19The Thunder fans realize the impact
03:23he has had on this team in a short
03:24amount of time.
03:25From about four feet behind the
03:27three-point line, a brick from
03:28Gildas Alexander.
03:30He's three for ten and 0 for two
03:32from three, and his team is up 19.
03:35It's a big possession here for the
03:37Suns.
03:39As Jalen Green has to get his shoe
03:40back on, it's off of his right foot
03:42right now, playing with one-and-a-half
03:44shoes.
03:45Shot clock at five.
03:47Good hands by McCain, getting the
03:49deflection.
03:49Two seconds on the shot clock.
03:51O'Neal from half court.
03:53It did not hit the rim, so shot clock
03:56violation.
03:58And the Thunder will finish with
03:59possession here with 10.9 seconds
04:01up.
04:02They're going to get another shooter
04:03on the floor.
04:04Chet goes out.
04:05Or, excuse me, Dort goes out, and
04:08Isaiah Joe comes in.
04:11Tenth turnover by Phoenix, just two
04:15for Oklahoma City.
04:19Fifteen assists for the Thunder.
04:20Alexander, just eight for the Suns.
04:23Iguodaro is four of those.
04:25I-Smith checks in for Phoenix.
04:31Defensive assignment will be Jalen
04:32Williams.
04:33Here's SGA with five seconds to go
04:35in the half.
04:35Gilgis Alexander puts the brakes on.
04:37Now starts again, drives and scores
04:40with the left hand.
04:40What a gorgeous finish by Gilgis
04:43Alexander.
04:44Booker on the catch, some contact
04:46with the whistle, and the half
04:47comes to an end.
04:50Fifteen points for Shea Gilgis
04:53Alexander.
04:53Sixteen for Chet Holmgren.
04:55Eleven for Jalen Williams.
04:58And the Thunder looking to repeat.
05:01Off to a good start in game one.
05:04And after the break, it's back to
05:05the studio with Ernie Johnson for
05:07NBA Halftime, presented by Kia.
05:1065-44.
05:13Gilgis Alexander, a rare off-half in
05:16terms of shooting, but a couple of
05:18sensational plays downhill, finishing
05:20with the left hand.
05:21And the Thunder up big at halftime in
05:24OKC in game one.
05:25What you want to do, I can't tell you
05:30if I do, it's your best.
05:33Half day for Chuck today.
05:35Both of my team's in trouble today.
05:37And I, you know, I wish I could have
05:39some hope.
05:39Uh, because, you know, I'm a 76 and a
05:42Suns fan, but this is going to be
05:43rough.
05:46As usual, the Chucksters spot on with
05:50a prediction as we welcome you to
05:53the Halftime Report presented by Kia.
05:56Uh, Ernie Johnson with Shaq and
05:58Kenny and Chuck.
06:00I know you said it, but did you
06:03believe it would be like this?
06:04I did, because they're both good
06:06defensive teams.
06:07Your defense is always going to be
06:08consistent.
06:09Like, if you're an offensive team,
06:11sometimes you don't make shots.
06:12But when you're the Celtics and
06:15you're OKC, two of the elite
06:16defensive team, defense, and defense
06:19always travels, Ernie.
06:20You know that.
06:2265-44 is your halftime score.
06:25Or, Chuck, your two favorite teams
06:27ain't no good.
06:28No, no, no, no, Ernie, Shaq,
06:31they're not bad teams, but like I
06:33say, your offense is going to come
06:35and go.
06:35You're not going to make shots all
06:37the time.
06:37Look at this defense, man.
06:38These boys ain't going to beat OKC.
06:40Stop it.
06:40No, they're not going to, but this
06:42is a beatdown.
06:43Look, when you're going to turn
06:46the ball over, you're walking
06:47right into OKC's kitchen.
06:49Well, not only turn it over,
06:50you're taking tough shots.
06:52Yeah.
06:52You know, Jalen Green,
06:55Devin Booker, and even at
06:56Dylan Brooks at times,
06:57they're tough shot makers.
06:58But against the Oklahoma City,
07:00you have to pass up a good shot
07:02to get a better one.
07:03And they have refused.
07:06Refused.
07:06The first shot of the game
07:08was a dictator of what everything was.
07:11They took a long-range three
07:13early in the shot clock,
07:15hands in their face.
07:16I'm like, well, this is,
07:17Chuck, you might be right.
07:18This is going to be a super long night.
07:20There's seven out of 24 from deep.
07:22Let's take a look at the
07:22halftime highlights presented by
07:24Kia and see the departments
07:26in which OKC is dominating.
07:34Talked about those points
07:35off turnovers.
07:36They average 22 a game,
07:38which is best in the league.
07:39They got 21 off turnovers.
07:41Yes.
07:42That's impressive.
07:43Yes, it is.
07:44And in the paint,
07:45they're up 20, 32 to 12.
07:48That's where we're going to,
07:49of course, we'll go to Shaq
07:50in the paint.
07:51That's right.
07:51You know, I'm the master
07:52of the high percentage shot.
07:54You know, Chuck is giving his
07:562P team too much credit.
07:57They aren't really that good
07:59in the show, especially right
08:00here defensively.
08:01They're just letting OKC do
08:02whatever they want, get right
08:04there.
08:04No resistance at all.
08:05Grayfield Jackson used to always
08:07say, you got to have some
08:08resistance on defense.
08:09These guys are showing no
08:11resistance.
08:11Turning the ball over in OKC,
08:13just getting out, flying,
08:14doing what they do.
08:15High percentage points,
08:16points in the paint.
08:18And I hate to say it, Chuck,
08:20but you got three more beat
08:20downs coming.
08:22I'm going to be real quick.
08:24Might as well send them to
08:25Lake, Lake Havasu.
08:27The other thing about that is
08:29I was blessed to play with
08:30great coaching.
08:32And the one thing is,
08:33please, let's not go into
08:34that again.
08:35I just shouted out Phil Jackson.
08:38Win.
08:38I know.
08:39Win.
08:40Just a second, though.
08:41The great Phil Jackson used to
08:42say.
08:42You said coaching don't matter.
08:44No.
08:45That's why I was even asking.
08:46Please, let's not get into
08:48coaching.
08:48That's it.
08:49Just give you a great
08:50play as the ball.
08:51It's not a, you know, see.
08:53It's not a mistake to turn
08:55the basketball over.
08:56That happens in a game.
08:57The mistake is when you don't
08:59sprint back on defense.
09:00And so, if you watch Oklahoma
09:01City, when they turn the
09:03basketball over, they will
09:05sprint back, then make a
09:07three-on-two fouls break into
09:08a three-on-three.
09:09So, now they have to hold it up.
09:11And the coach made them do
09:12that?
09:12Yeah.
09:13Because they emphasize that.
09:14Yes.
09:14First of all, early into.
09:15They've only turned it over
09:16four times.
09:17No, but I'm saying, but on
09:18the other way, they don't
09:21sprint back.
09:22And coaching builds habits.
09:24Habits build habits of
09:25creatures.
09:26Champions do daily what
09:27everybody else does
09:27occasionally, brother.
09:28It's all right here.
09:29It's all right here.
09:30Yeah.
09:30No, coaching matters.
09:32You keep making excuses.
09:33Ain't nobody making excuses.
09:34But coaching matters.
09:35And then he shouted out the
09:37triangle offense the other
09:38day.
09:38I mean, earlier today.
09:40Who do you think the
09:41coach of the year is, Shaq?
09:44Oh, this is going to be
09:44good.
09:45Huh?
09:46Who's the coach of the
09:47of the year?
09:47I'm going to go with
09:49Emei Idoka.
09:50Oh, my God.
09:52I thought you were going
09:52to say, when Ben Yop?
09:54I don't know.
09:54Emei Idoka is a very good
09:56coach.
09:57He's not in the coach of
09:58the year conversation.
09:59Because he don't.
10:00Yeah, Mitch Johnson.
10:05NBA Halftime is presented
10:06by Kia.
10:07Movement that inspires.
10:11We're welcoming back
10:12inside Studio J.
10:13We often talk about running
10:14through the tape on this
10:16on this very broadcast.
10:18And there was a great
10:19example of that today in
10:21the Delaware Marathon.
10:24Because Joshua Jackson is
10:27coming from behind while the
10:28guy in first place is
10:30celebrating.
10:31And it's Joshua Jackson.
10:56My torso went through the tape
10:58first.
10:59Way to go, C-web.
11:00It is not hand.
11:01Congrats, C-web.
11:02Run through the tape, Joshua Jackson.
11:05Path.
11:08Nah.
11:10They chose challenges and
11:11changes.
11:13Every step of the way.
11:16And him?
11:18He's on a journey all his own.
11:20With the obstacles only he can
11:22conquer.
11:23Because in the end,
11:25this was never a myth.
11:27It's a legacy.
11:31Welcome back to the NBA
11:32playoffs presented by Google.
11:34We're here in Oklahoma City for
11:36the first round presented by
11:37Popeyes.
11:38The Thunder led by as many as
11:3925.
11:40It's a 21-point advantage as we
11:42get ready to start the third
11:44quarter.
11:44First half stats brought to you
11:46by New Balance.
11:47Balance scoring for the Thunder.
11:49Holmgren 16.
11:50Kiyogis Alexander 15.
11:51Jalen Williams 11.
11:53Dave Pasch, Doris Burke,
11:54and Malik Andrews.
11:55And Doris, we could talk all
11:56day about their offense, but
11:57the defense remains outstanding.
11:5930% shooting for Phoenix.
12:01You just talked about the
12:02balance on the offensive end.
12:04It's balance up and down the
12:05roster on the defensive end as
12:07well.
12:07And you're bringing Alex Caruso,
12:10Jay Will, Kaysen Wallace all
12:11off the bench.
12:12And just watch, folks, how
12:14quickly the recovery is from
12:16the weak side by Chet.
12:18And then the speed.
12:19Kaysen Wallace lock and trail
12:21and then watch this.
12:23I mean, we talk about changing
12:24end-to-ends.
12:25They forced 10 turnovers, got 19
12:28points off, and it happens
12:29quick.
12:31Dylan Brooks and Jalen Green
12:34combined for just 6 of 23 from
12:36the floor with four turnovers.
12:37Devin Booker had 13, but
12:39going to need a lot of help.
12:42Holmgren misses the three to
12:43start the third.
12:48A two on Wednesday.
12:50Brooks short on the three.
12:52And Booker saves underneath to
12:54O'Neal.
12:58On the baseline, Green hits.
13:00Well, if you consider that Jalen
13:03Green and Dylan Brooks were
13:04combined 6 for 23, that's a good
13:06start for Jalen.
13:07We talked about his ability as a
13:09shot maker.
13:10They've got to find a way.
13:12Jalen Williams from the corner is
13:14three.
13:14No good.
13:15Rebound, Brooks.
13:16Let's check in with Malika.
13:17Dave, you'll notice that Royce O'Neal
13:19is out on the floor, and that's
13:20because Jordan Goodwin has been
13:22ruled out of the remainder of this
13:23game with left calf soreness, and he
13:26will not return here.
13:27I spoke with Jordan Knott.
13:28He says they're going to be
13:29leaning on O'Neal, Brooks even in
13:31that foul trouble, and what they're
13:32looking to do here is create more
13:34opportunities to score.
13:35They feel like their offense is
13:36really what needs to get rolling
13:37here, guys.
13:38Thanks, Malika.
13:39That's bad news on Goodwin.
13:40He's a very good defender, and for
13:42some reason he's unable to go on
13:44Wednesday.
13:45They already are without Mark
13:47Williams, and Grayson Allen
13:50doesn't look like he's going to
13:51play today either.
13:53Even though he is listed as
13:54available.
13:55Booker bumps.
13:57And he'll go to the line with
13:58Dorff picking up the foul.
14:03That was a big story of Phoenix's
14:05year.
14:06It is remarkable that they won 45
14:08games given the number of
14:11injuries.
14:11Dillon Brooks missed 26 games.
14:14Jalen Green missed 50 games.
14:16Devin Booker missed 18 games, yet
14:19they still have the seventh best
14:21record in a very deep Western
14:22Conference.
14:24NBA playoffs first-run action
14:26continues Wednesday.
14:27We mentioned we'll be here for
14:28Game 2, Thunder and Phoenix.
14:31But first, it is Detroit and
14:32Orlando.
14:33It's seventh Eastern time.
14:34The Pistons the number one seed in
14:36the East.
14:37And I think that is remarkable what
14:40you're noting about Phoenix in light
14:42of the injuries, because it's not as
14:44though there was a history amongst their
14:46top three players.
14:47It was the Kevin Durant trade that
14:50brings Jordan on, new head coach, new
14:52system, new terminology, along with Jalen
14:55Green and Dillon Brooks.
15:00As Gojizel Alexander is fouled by O'Neal.
15:03Really, when you look at the roster, you
15:05get a lot of castoffs and guys that
15:07nobody wanted coming out of college.
15:08You got three undrafted players that
15:10are part of your top nine guys, including
15:13Goodwin, Gillespie, and Royce O'Neal,
15:15the other two.
15:16You know, Dillon Brooks is the mainstay,
15:18but you move Kevin Durant, you hope
15:21you get something from Brooks.
15:23Jalen Green, a change of scenery, you
15:25hope it works out.
15:26And now you look at your roster, and
15:28you say, okay, we've got something we
15:30can build on.
15:31The culture's been changed here.
15:35Meanwhile, Gillespie Alexander, 16
15:37points, eight of nine at the line.
15:39He's drawn seven fouls so far here
15:42today.
15:42Missed the free throw, but kept alive,
15:44gets it right back.
15:45Missed the jump shot at the foul line.
15:49It's your point about Jalen Green
15:51is he gives it up to Deebo.
15:52Look, he's still figuring it out.
15:56He's still so young, but that ability
15:59right there.
16:00I mean, you know, he's trying to
16:02figure, okay, how do I play with
16:03Devin Booker?
16:04When do I attack?
16:05Well, what's, you know, what are the
16:07right opportunities for me?
16:09There was so much conversation it felt
16:10like in Phoenix all year about there's
16:12going to be another couple of free
16:13throws.
16:13Like, will Dylan Brooks, Jalen Green,
16:18Devin Booker, can they blend their
16:20skills?
16:23And he's still so young, 24 years of
16:26age, doesn't turn 25 until next
16:28February.
16:30And when they got him, he was a guy
16:32that always played 82 games each of
16:35the last two years, but we missed
16:38more than two months from November 8th
16:41to January 20th with a hamstring
16:42injury and playing his best
16:45basketball of the year coming into
16:46today, but just 5 of 12 so far in
16:50this one.
16:50Meanwhile, Gilgis Alexander 10 of 12
16:52at the line.
16:56Sun still hanging around, down 17.
16:58Nice feed.
16:59Iguodaro met by Gilgis Alexander
17:01for the block.
17:02Kept alive, though, for Phoenix and
17:04Brooks.
17:04Can't pay it off at the three.
17:08How about the ups of SGA?
17:11His second block.
17:14Holmgren fakes the pass, fires,
17:16missed the three.
17:17Green gets the rebound.
17:24On the switch, Holmgren's got Jalen
17:27Green.
17:28Beats to Booker, blocked by
17:30Hartenstein.
17:33Booker in the teeth of the lane,
17:35kicks it out.
17:36Brooks, three no good.
17:38Gilgis Alexander boards.
17:40Just a good crack back by Shea.
17:43And how about the rotations by
17:45Ian Hartenstein?
17:46Oh, that's a hold on O'Neal.
17:49Well, let's watch Shea, Gilgis
17:52Alexander.
17:52You know, I talked about his MVP
17:54case, how hard he works on the
17:56defensive end.
17:56He's the low man.
17:58He just comes over his closing
18:01speed.
18:01The ability vertically to get up
18:03against somebody with whom you
18:05are mismatched size wide.
18:08Rise and send it back.
18:09So good.
18:10The wingspan of SGA.
18:13Big reason why year in, year out,
18:14he's one of the NBA leaders in
18:16steals.
18:16Reverse layup.
18:17Good by Jalen Williams.
18:18His first points of the third.
18:20Leads back to 19.
18:22He's got a lot of offensive game.
18:2736-12, Oklahoma City outscoring
18:30Phoenix in the lane.
18:33Green's passed.
18:34It's deflected right back to him.
18:38Booker trying to get unlocked,
18:39but so hard against multiple
18:41defenders.
18:43Brooks with two.
18:44Takes it.
18:45Rejected by Jalen Williams.
18:47The seventh block for the
18:48Thunder here today.
18:51Williams in the lane.
18:52Has it knocked away?
18:54Gets it back though.
18:58Dave, we could do a highlight
18:59reel of just their help defense.
19:02Oklahoma City.
19:03I mean, honestly, it's textbook
19:05across the board.
19:05The ball pressure, the clean
19:07switching, you name it.
19:08But watch, it looks like, okay,
19:10they're going to say, all right,
19:11let's make Devin Booker a passer.
19:13Ball rotation, right decision to
19:15attack.
19:15But there's Jalen Williams.
19:17And I said that the first priority
19:19for Oklahoma City and any great
19:21defensive team in the modern NBA
19:23or any defense anywhere is
19:25protect the rim.
19:26Like the most valuable shots are
19:28restricted area.
19:29They do an incredible job
19:30emphasizing.
19:32George's three short.
19:33Rebound Booker.
19:35And Booker has it knocked away
19:38by Gildas Alexander.
19:39And last, touched by Booker.
19:41And Jordan Knott, who won a challenge
19:44in the first half, will use his
19:46second and final challenge here.
19:57He ruled off of Booker.
20:00Hard to tell from that angle after
20:02Gildas Alexander deflected it to
20:04Booker touch it.
20:08The Phoenix ball after a successful
20:10challenge by the Suns.
20:11But interestingly, Jordan Knott, after the
20:14timeout, he said to crew chief Mark Davis
20:17that he was not trying to call for a challenge.
20:20He said, I was trying to call for a 30-second timeout.
20:22He then said, I will challenge it because we're already going down that road.
20:26But what my intention was was for the 30-second.
20:29So a miscommunication between the crew chief and head coach of the Phoenix Suns there, guys.
20:34Yeah, you don't see that very often, although it is a successful challenge.
20:37And that could help Phoenix here in terms of momentum down 19.
20:41We have 36 officials selected to work the first round of the playoffs,
20:44a group which has an average of over 16 years of NBA experience.
20:48Nine officials have worked 100 or more playoff games.
20:51Mark Davis has worked more than 200.
20:54Sean Wright also on this crew.
20:55He's worked more than 100, and this is year 19 for Mark Lindsay,
21:00the third official, as Booker drills a three.
21:03So the second quarter, you were only outscored by six of your Phoenix,
21:08and you're looking for anything to build on,
21:10both for the rest of this one and going into Wednesday's second game.
21:15And they played on Tuesday in the play,
21:17and then Friday, quick turnaround to play Sunday afternoon
21:20as they get up the dunk here to Dort.
21:23Hardenstein, a very good passer.
21:30Booker trying to shake Dort.
21:33Now Brooks with a timer at 10.
21:37Fade away over Hardenstein, in and out.
21:40Thunder ball.
21:4364 wins for the Thunder, best home record in the league at 34-7.
21:48They started 24-1, went 500 over about a 30-game stretch,
21:52but closed out the year 19-3.
21:56Hardenstein, offensive rebound off the Gildas, Alexander miss.
21:59Williams hits a three.
22:02That double-big lineup for a team that doesn't have much size up front,
22:07just devastated.
22:13Iguodaro not a threat to shoot, but he is to drive and throw it down,
22:16but he's met by Hardenstein, and it's sent back.
22:20On the other end, the scoop by Gildas Alexander.
22:23No, he's just four for 14.
22:26Pull up three, Booker.
22:29Two strong, batted out.
22:31Booker gets to the loose ball, and then foul.
22:33They're going to say on the floor, third-team foul against Oklahoma City.
22:38Let's watch Isaiah.
22:40You talked about his passing skills, so a little big-to-big action.
22:43See a lot of guard-to-guard action?
22:45Well, big-to-big action out front leads to a backdoor cut by Lou Dort.
22:50And this guy, you said it, like offensive rebounder.
22:52He's their best offensive rebounder.
22:55Easiest time to shoot a three.
22:56And then Oso, not so much at the rim against Isaiah.
23:03Hardenstein missed about half the season.
23:05And that's the thing about Oklahoma City.
23:07We talked about Phoenix overcoming injuries.
23:09I mean, Jalen Williams misses 50 games.
23:11Hardenstein misses half the year,
23:13and they still have the best record in the league.
23:15O'Neal knocks down a three.
23:1718-point game midway through the third.
23:27Williams keeps the dribble alive.
23:32Now it's in the hands of Yodas Alexander.
23:35He's Jalen Green on him on the switch.
23:37Going to work.
23:38Doubled and gives it up to Williams.
23:40Shot clock at two.
23:41Williams trying to split the double.
23:42Great handle.
23:43And then goes up and under for the left.
23:45Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
23:48So much game.
23:53Eighteen points now for Williams.
23:55Matching Yodas Alexander for a team high.
23:57Seven in the quarter for Williams.
24:00He also has six assists.
24:06Brooks attacks, hangs, and finishes.
24:08I would not want to make my living
24:10off of having to create that kind of opportunity
24:13and put it home.
24:16Everything for Phoenix has been very difficult.
24:18Just 33% shooting.
24:21Arch-Stein, nice pass.
24:22Dort, way off.
24:25Williams with the save.
24:27And 10 seconds on the shot clock now.
24:31Dort will try it again.
24:32Got it that time.
24:50Brooks gets past Yodas Alexander and banks it in.
24:54Challenging Holmgren.
24:54Okay, how about the back-to-back buckets by Dylan Brooks?
24:58No quitting that guy.
25:00And that, we talked about, they need their top three scores.
25:04You know, we were talking pregame, like, what's the number?
25:07Do they need 75 from their top three players to have a chance?
25:11But he has back-to-back drives.
25:14That degree of difficulty, if you're judging off that, is a 10 out of 10.
25:18Turns the corner.
25:19Gets met by Chet at the rim, who does a great job staying vertical
25:23and forcing him to finish over the top.
25:25But, wow, two tough twos.
25:28He just picked up his fourth foul.
25:30And penalty situation, so Gil does Alexander at the line, where he's 10 for 12.
25:35And Brooks made a comment, he's not the first, about Oklahoma City
25:39and its ability to get to the free-throw line after their win on Friday night.
25:48This year's NFL draft is in Pittsburgh.
25:50And the three-day event begins Thursday at 8 Eastern, 5 Pacific.
25:53We'll have every pick once again on ESPN.
25:56It's also available on the NFL Network.
25:58And, as always, ABC's coverage focuses on the prospect's journey to the draft.
26:06Well, how about the Suns?
26:08Ten threes, only eight field goals in the paint.
26:11I've talked about it.
26:12They are such a perimeter-heavy team.
26:16So reliant on the jump shot.
26:22Joe Desalexander, up to 20 points.
26:24No surprise, given he's got the NBA record for consecutive games, scoring 20 or more.
26:29He did have a couple games in the playoff run last year where he was under 20.
26:35But, in terms of regular season, 140 straight, 20-plus.
26:41Holmgren, great screen by Caruso, but the three is off the mark.
26:48Phoenix trailed by 25 at one point.
26:51Dork with a steal.
26:53Drives it all the way.
26:55Hangs and missed the lead.
27:01By the way, J. Will, the other Jalen Williams, is back on the Oklahoma City bench.
27:06As a foul is called here on Iguodoro.
27:11Williams was hurt in the first half, but good to see him back on the Thunder bench.
27:14Look at this drive.
27:15I mean, just, how about that cross on the left-hand side?
27:19And then the footwork.
27:21And what you get from every player up and down the roster is incredible hustle.
27:26Pursuing the offensive glass, he creates an opportunity.
27:29It's going to lead to a lewd three.
27:31Just all-out effort, all the time, across the board.
27:37Fourth year for Jalen Williams.
27:40He just turned 25 a handful of days ago.
27:43Was the 12th pick in the 2022 draft.
27:48Jogis Alexander finds Mitchell.
27:50And another Oklahoma City three, the ninth for the Thunder.
27:55Folks, he's sad.
27:56He's sad for a long time.
27:58But just like the first half, he comes in and he just comfortably steps into a three.
28:03Three for three from behind the arc for Mitchell.
28:05And the lead back to 24 with three to play in the third.
28:13Alex Caruso has covered a lot of ground in that defensive perception.
28:18My goodness, that guy never stops moving.
28:20And the Thunder force another Phoenix giveaway.
28:24Mitchell on the baseline.
28:26Meanwhile, the Thunder haven't turned it over in 15 minutes.
28:29He did a great job protecting the ball led by this guy.
28:34He'll just Alexander drives.
28:36Hangs missed the bank.
28:38Pushed out.
28:38And now Jalen Williams back on the court.
28:41Missed the three.
28:42And a foul inside.
28:43And the basket goes.
28:45Come on.
28:54Largest lead of the day for the Thunder.
28:56And Jogis Alexander up to 22 points.
28:59They do not let you breathe.
29:02Do not relax because of a missed shot.
29:05Be active.
29:06Be on your toes.
29:07Because Shea gets an N1.
29:10And Alex saying, come on, group.
29:11We're ready.
29:15Google search, deep dive.
29:17The two bigs for Oklahoma City have been big so far in this game.
29:23So, I mean, listen, there was a time in the NBA where we were saying, well, the big man is
29:28dead.
29:28It's not a position you need.
29:30It just is one that seems to be ever-evolving.
29:33The double big has been sensational all year numerically for Oklahoma State, Oklahoma City.
29:40I mean, Chet's ability to stretch from three is important.
29:43They give you so much offensively.
29:45He hasn't used this floater game as much, Isaiah Hartenstein.
29:49But, boy, as an offensive rebounder, rim protector, you've got two guys that are pretty good.
29:54If you want to dive deeper into this or any NBA playoffs topic, ask AI mode in Google search.
30:02Dave Cash, Doris Burt, Malika Andrews back in Oklahoma City.
30:05Both Holmgren and Hartenstein on the bench right now.
30:09They've combined for 15 rebounds.
30:11And Shea Gilchrist-Alexander, who's drawn 11 fouls in this game, looking to complete the three-point play.
30:17Each and every one of them feel like they've been earned by Shea Gilchrist-Alexander.
30:23And, you know, let me just talk about the double bigs.
30:26You've got J. Will on the floor, who had turned his ankle in the first half.
30:30I thought J. Will, as a help defender in that first half, was so impactful.
30:35We always talk about defense on a string.
30:37Everybody committed to competing and staying on discipline with the game plan.
30:41This group is really extraordinary in that regard.
30:44And, Doris, you mentioned this to me a couple times just off the air about the impact that Jalen Williams
30:49had in spot-minute duty.
30:52In the finals in particular last year, the Thunder have a lot of different pieces that Mark Degnault can use.
30:57Yeah, and I'll say J. Will.
31:00The other guy, Kenrich Williams, also opportunistically impactful.
31:06And for Mark Degnault, and you were the one who drew my attention to this,
31:10in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, how many guys did he play?
31:12You said 8, I believe, in the 7.
31:16Like, I think it's a night-by-night situational use of exceptional depth.
31:21And all of them know some series are going to be for me,
31:25and some series I'm going to sit the pine, and I've got to be okay with it.
31:29Degnault told us he already had a conversation with Jared McCain.
31:33He said, look, how we do things here is you may play very little today in Game 1,
31:38but there is going to be a time I'm going to call your name.
31:40And he's not the only one in that boat.
31:42But it's why Degnault's one of the best coaches in the NBA,
31:45how he handles those relationships with the players.
31:49As Gildas Alexander is back at the line, and now 14 of 16 at the strike.
31:56Bumps and bruises, you got J-Dub with a little ice on his wrist.
32:04You got Lou Dortch stretching out the cap over there.
32:07It is April in the NBA, so your body is not perfect.
32:11A couple days off in between games, Game 2 Wednesday.
32:16Points off turnovers, 29-2 in favor of Oklahoma City in this game.
32:20Elbow pull-up goes for Devin Booker, who's got 22.
32:24He's such a smooth jump shooter, right, Devin Booker?
32:27Let's go, Devin!
32:31Average over the course of his career in the playoffs, 28 points per game,
32:35good for eighth in NBA history.
32:37Now it's knocked away by O'Neal out of bounds, 10 on the shot clock for the Thunder.
32:42Good for eighth in the game, there's a great job there.
32:48Degnell calling out instructions from midcourt in year six, former coach of the year.
32:55And so many different coaches did a great job that his name isn't mentioned,
32:59but given the injuries they had to win 64 games is a magnificent season and job well done by him.
33:06No doubt.
33:09No, Missoula, great chance to win the award even though he doesn't want it.
33:14As Booker takes a shot from Wallace, that's his second foul.
33:17We got Mitch Johnson and San Antonio with San Antonio back in the playoffs for the first time in seven
33:23years
33:23and winning more than 60 games.
33:26J.B. Bickerstaff as Detroit is the number one seed in the East.
33:33All in the conversation.
33:38A minute to go here in the third.
33:42Thunder up 29.
33:46Iceman corner three, not there.
33:49Caruso clears.
33:55SGA 25.6 assists and no turnovers.
33:58He's had a lot of games this year.
34:00He's had a huge scoring game, but no turnovers.
34:05Shot clock down to five.
34:08Yodas Alexander trying to create timer at two.
34:10Sidestep three.
34:11In and out.
34:12Offensive rebound.
34:13Another chance for Yodas Alexander.
34:15Another miss.
34:17Dunn rebounds.
34:21Just five for 18 and 0 for four from three, but still 25 points for SGA.
34:27Final seconds of the third quarter.
34:30That's a foul, Mr. Wallace.
34:33I mean, they have been so physical, whether it's he or Lou Dort all day.
34:39Booker's got 22, but boy, he has had a defender right here, whether it's Wallace or Dort.
34:47This is what he's faced all day.
34:50And Booker, not the biggest guy, but we saw his toughness on full display.
34:55If you go back to the NBA Finals five years ago, he was battering brews throughout that series with the
34:59Bucs.
35:00And prior to that, there were a lot of people that weren't sure of his physicality,
35:04but we saw it there, and we saw it in the Olympics as well.
35:07Oh, stop it.
35:08He broke his nose, but nose was broken in the NBA Finals, whether it happened before or during.
35:13He got hit there about a million times, and you never saw him blink.
35:17You never saw him reach for his nose.
35:19No, there's an innate toughness and competitive spirit that's elite.
35:25He's got ten points in the quarter, but his team down big.
35:29Final seconds of the third.
35:31Gilgis Alexander drives and kicks.
35:35Williams for three.
35:35He got it with six-tenths of a second left.
35:41The lead is 31 after three in Oklahoma City.
35:48This presentation of the NBA playoffs on ABC presented by Google will continue after this message
35:55and a word from our ABC stations.
36:01Welcome back to Oklahoma City, where today not only marks the beginning,
36:05but the playoff, but it's also the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people.
36:12Now, Isaiah Hartenstein, he wasn't even born yet.
36:14In fact, only two Oklahoma City players were, and they were infants at the time.
36:19But Hartenstein, he was so moved when Sam Presti took him to visit the memorial,
36:23which he does with all new players and staff,
36:25that Hartenstein recently produced a documentary.
36:28It's titled The Oklahoma Standard.
36:30And the photos you see right there are of the screening of his new movie,
36:34and it honors both the lives lost, the first responders, and the survivors of that day.
36:39Hartenstein really wanted to focus on the way the city came together in the wake of tragedy,
36:44and the Thunder always keep in mind.
36:46They're a part of a community that was irreplaceably changed, Dave.
36:50Great job with that very difficult story, Malika, about Hartenstein and the Thunder.
36:54Well, one thing Sam Presti does a lot with potential free agents,
36:58and Ennis Cantor, who played here, did an article in the local paper on this today,
37:02talking about his experience.
37:03Presti will bring players to the Memorial Museum,
37:07just so they can understand the history and what this city has been through.
37:13That's how you build culture, and this is a unique NBA city.
37:18You know, I know I've heard it described in the past,
37:20like the building itself is sort of being a college environment,
37:24but it's just unique, passionate crew,
37:31and you could tell they were on fire for the start of the playoffs today.
37:36Devin Booker, when he came in, look, everybody wears the playoff shirts that they give out.
37:41Sometimes you come to arenas, and people don't want to mess up their look,
37:45but, I mean, everybody in the building's got the free tee.
37:54NBA First Round on ABC is presented by Popeyes.
37:58Love that chicken from Popeyes.
38:01And in part by Google.
38:07Playoffs continue Wednesday night with another doubleheader on ESPN.
38:12The 1-8 matchups in the East, it's Orlando, Detroit.
38:16Game two, and then game two between Phoenix and the Thunder.
38:19Our coverage starts with Ernie, Kenny, Charles, and Shaq at 6 Eastern time.
38:23Unsuccessful challenge by Oklahoma City.
38:25So it's the first turnover by the Thunder in the last 19 minutes and 14 seconds.
38:32I wonder were they thinking about the proximate foul there,
38:36maybe the push by Dylan Brooks.
38:4125 points for Gildas Alexander to lead all scores.
38:4418 for Jalen Williams.
38:46Jalen Green misses again.
38:48He's 5 for 14.
38:49Foul inside on the Thunder.
38:51Brooks is 5 of 20.
38:53Booker has been very good.
38:5423 points on 8 of 17 shooting.
38:57A 34-point lead for the Thunder.
39:04Hardenstein picks up his fourth foul.
39:08By the way, Gildas Alexander with 17 attempts and 15 makes at the foul line.
39:14Both are playoff career highs for him.
39:20Phoenix will look to regroup, hope to get center Mark Williams back.
39:24Grayson Allen is close.
39:26He was listed as available today, but we have not seen him.
39:28Maybe he'll play on Wednesday.
39:33He's not sure that even that will be enough against this potent Oklahoma City team.
39:38Mark Williams, just from a size, you know, standard experience as well,
39:44but 15 consecutive games he missed in a stretch because of that foot stress reaction.
39:53Green attacking.
39:54Nice footwork and the finish.
39:58That's one thing that was fascinating as you see the two guys were referencing there.
40:03And Malika alluded to this in her first report tonight.
40:07It's like how much information gathering in game one of a series both teams
40:14do.
40:15Mark Gay, no talking to us specifically about that.
40:18Things were asking him, you know, who's taking Jalen Green?
40:22Who's taking Devin Booker?
40:23It's like, it's not going to be a steady diet of any one of those.
40:25We're going to look at a lot of different matchups.
40:29He said, we're not going to be a one-pitch team.
40:32Meaning we're not just going to have the same guy defend Devin Booker throughout game one.
40:36We wanted to see it all, and then we'll pair it down as we go along in the series.
40:40Mitchell missed the shot inside.
40:42Malawatch with the rebound.
40:47Brooks still on the floor for the Suns, as is Green, whose three is up and way off.
40:52But, you know, Malawatch getting a chance here, right?
40:55These are not wasted minutes.
40:57And he's got a legit run against the defending champ, and they're going to get Jalen Williams.
41:03Was it the violation?
41:04Yeah.
41:05Eight-second violation.
41:10So, we just gave you it from an audio perspective.
41:14Here are the visuals of the four shooting for Green and Brooks.
41:19And obviously going to have to improve for Wednesday to be different.
41:22Some of that missed shots, like, I feel like both of them had a couple of clean looks,
41:26but a lot of that is influencing the pressure of Oklahoma City.
41:32This does have a different feel as that's poked away from Green.
41:35Green, Williams with the slamming transition.
41:38A different feel, though, from game one of the first run last year,
41:42where the Thunder destroyed Memphis.
41:44Grizzlies didn't look like they wanted to be there, and they were out quickly.
41:48I think we'll get more fight from Phoenix.
41:50Again, don't know if we'll see a different result.
41:56A 34-point lead.
42:01Isaiah Joe, deep triple, back-rimmed it.
42:04Rebound, Brooks.
42:09The NBA team has 68 points on the board with 8-0-2 to go.
42:18Suns have shot it poorly, but also that Thunder defense.
42:21Phenomenal.
42:22Brooks' mid-range shot is good.
42:28Under Mark Degnell, the Thunder 0-8 in first-round games.
42:32He's the third coach in NBA history to start out 8-0 in the first round.
42:39Another basket for Williams, and a timeout by the Suns.
42:4322 now for Jalen Williams.
42:53Hey, green light.
42:54Green light group.
42:55Green light group.
42:56No, no, no.
42:58No momentum.
43:00No momentum.
43:00Come on.
43:03Habits for game two, three, four.
43:04Come on, come on, Habits, Habits.
43:14Ah!
43:17Come on!
43:18So how much impact can a guy who's barely shot or scored the basketball have on a basketball game?
43:25Physicality on the defensive end.
43:27Clean switching.
43:28You just listen to the level of communication.
43:31Being thrilled for your teammates' success.
43:34Look at all the ground.
43:36This dude covers constantly.
43:39And this, to me, is an underrated attribute.
43:42Can you be as happy for someone else's success as you can for your own?
43:46The answer where that guy is concerned is an absolute yes.
43:51Meanwhile, with seven and a half to go, both teams essentially emptying the benches,
43:55although the Thunder have guys on the floor that have played in the finals just because how deep they are.
43:59But you got Bouye checking into the game along with Fleming who knocks down the three,
44:04the rookie out of St. Joe's.
44:07So Phoenix will have a couple of days after this to catch its breath after winning Friday night
44:14at home against Golden State in the play-in.
44:16And then get ready, try to regroup for game two.
44:20Against a well-rested Thunder team is McCain from mid-range.
44:25Really hope Grayson Allen can help it because he's a guy who can stretch you from deep,
44:31you know, high-volume, three-point shooter.
44:34He can deck it as well.
44:36He'll compete defensively.
44:40Nice shot by Gillespie.
44:42And he, you know, Malika was telling us earlier, like, they had perhaps some availability there,
44:49elected to go against it.
44:51But even coach told us pregame he is very close.
44:57It's a left hamstring that's the issue for him.
44:59No issue for the Thunder.
45:02Shooting it from deep here in the fourth quarter.
45:06That's Isaiah Joe with his second three ball.
45:11It's a 34-point lead.
45:12They beat Memphis in game one of the first round last year by 51.
45:17So that's plus 85 in the last two opening games of the first round.
45:22How about Fleming from the other corner this time?
45:25He just, he looks the part of NBA player.
45:27Look at the frame on him.
45:31He was the first pick of the second round by Minnesota last summer and traded on draft night.
45:37Fleming, 21 years old.
45:39McCain missed the reverse.
45:40Booyer with a rebound.
45:44So it looks like the home team is going to win for the sixth straight game.
45:49All four yesterday and then lost him on earlier today.
45:53Don't forget Portland and San Antonio tonight in San Antonio with the Spurs rolling behind MVP candidate Victor Wimbanyama.
46:03Well, a lot of discussion, right, about San Antonio.
46:07Expectation inside the organization as they're ready to compete.
46:11But obviously playoff experience for some of their key contributors is low.
46:17And Mark Degno talked about that, their first playoff experience and all the lessons they learned in losing.
46:28They were the one seed two years ago, lost to Dallas in the conference semis, and then last year as
46:33the one seed obviously won the championship, but some of the guys we spoke to got the sense they're really
46:39trying to focus on the loss from two years ago rather than what it was like to hoist the trophy
46:44last year to keep them locked in and motivated this postseason.
46:47I think it was interesting when you asked J-Dubb about that.
46:51He said, I'm actually trying to remember the feeling of losing.
46:59They were the youngest team to be a number one seed at that point.
47:02Dallas rolled all the way to the finals that year with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both playing at an
47:07unreal level.
47:10Take a look at the upcoming series schedule.
47:11We've got Wednesday night game two here on ESPN at 930.
47:15Our friends at NBC Peacock will have game three next Saturday.
47:19Game four following Monday in Phoenix and if necessary back here in Oklahoma City on April 29th.
47:31So the game won so far, there's only been one single digit margin, and that was the Lakers winning by
47:39nine.
47:39Great win for L.A. last night over Houston as Kovac checks in.
47:46Here's McCain for three.
47:50He's downhill with a head of speed, and to deliver that pass, pretty good.
48:01I just want to finish up on the Lakers' doors.
48:03How confident are you, if you're a Laker fan right now, after what you witnessed last night?
48:07Now, Kevin Durant did not play.
48:09Don't know yet whether he'll be available for game two.
48:11Well, of course my response was going to be, can you tell me how many games Kevin Durant is going
48:15to play?
48:16I mean, listen, the fact is, all year, even with one of the great scorers in the history of the
48:22sport,
48:22on high volume and high efficiency, Kevin Durant, their offense could struggle.
48:28So it was absolutely no surprise that it was a scuffle.
48:32But, I mean, how about the play the Lakers got with Luke Kennard?
48:36Just absolutely incredible.
48:40Shortly after they acquired him, you and I had a Laker game, and J.J. Raddick told us,
48:44look, Luke Kennard is more than just a shooter.
48:47Yeah.
48:47We saw that yesterday.
48:49I think he's put that on display since he's been there.
48:52It's like he's got an all-around floor game in addition to the deadly three-point shooting.
48:58Bouye with the finish inside three minutes to go.
49:01117-80, Oklahoma City.
49:03Bowder!
49:11Kenrich Williams, no good on the three, rebound done.
49:19Now, there has not been a repeat champ in the NBA since Golden State 2017-2018.
49:26And the Thunder taking one step today, small step,
49:32but a step in the direction of trying to get to that repeat as Fleming hits his third three
49:37in just a few minutes off the bench.
49:41Fleming shot 35% from three during the regular season.
49:44What do you think about the start Oklahoma City got off to?
49:47What were they, 24-1 before they started the scuffle?
49:50San Antonio's wins against this team changed entirely how the season felt, right?
49:57It became, oh, my goodness, they're a juggernaut in a certain repeat
50:01to feeling like a little bit more competitive.
50:05Four wins for the Spurs against the Thunder.
50:08Denver was very competitive.
50:10Nuggets looked good in beating Minnesota yesterday.
50:13Have to think, at full strength, Denver can challenge.
50:16They did last year.
50:17They took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semis.
50:21Dunn off on the three.
50:22Rebound Williams.
50:30Spot up three, Isaiah Joe.
50:32Off target, Bouye rebounds and got hit upstairs by McCain.
50:36WrestleMania 42 continues tonight in Las Vegas,
50:39highlighted by more of WWE's biggest stars.
50:42Stream it on the ESPN app using the ESPN Unlimited plan.
50:46Sign up or log in with your TV provider to unlock your access.
50:49Coverage begins 6 Eastern, 3 Pacific on ESPN.
50:52Will we get more visits from Pat McAfee there, do you think?
50:55I think, did he get, like, taken off on a stretcher if I saw?
50:59Hopefully Pat's okay.
51:00Send our well wishes.
51:02And Roman Reigns in action tonight.
51:08Booyer on the turnaround.
51:11Rebound inside by Wiggins.
51:12Final minute of game one.
51:22And Williams with the lay-in.
51:25So, leading scores for Oklahoma City.
51:28Shea Gildas Alexander with 25.
51:30Playoff career-high 15 made free throws on 17 attempts.
51:36Jalen Williams, 22 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds.
51:39Chet Holmgren had 16 points.
51:41Most of his damage was done in the first half.
51:44In fact, he didn't score in the second half.
51:46He's under a call for a foul.
51:48Devin Booker, 23, to lead the way for Phoenix.
51:52So, so far in the playoffs, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden were outstanding.
51:57And Cleveland's win over Toronto.
51:58Another triple-double, shockingly, for Jokic.
52:01And Jalen Brunson, 28 in the win over that pesky Atlanta team.
52:06And LeBron James, an efficient night.
52:08Had a ton of assists in the first quarter.
52:10Welcome back to the playoffs, Jason Tatum.
52:13A near triple-double for him in the win over Philly on ABC earlier today.
52:17It's just an incredible story that Tatum is back already.
52:20And at the level he is, his defensive rebounding has been a big key historically for that team.
52:27He's not yet found the stroke consistently from three.
52:30You still have to guard him from out there.
52:32And that's just a matter of time.
52:35Thunder will just dribble it out here and take the shot clock violation.
52:39And the Suns will dribble it out and end game one.
52:44Game two, Wednesday night, 9.30 Eastern time on ESPN.
52:48And the second game of the playoff doubleheader.
52:51The other 1.8, Detroit, Orlando, will precede us at 7 o'clock Eastern time.
52:58Game one of that series is coming up.
53:00But game two will be on ESPN Wednesday.
53:04So we just got this note here.
53:05This is crazy.
53:08The Thunder will be the second team ever to win playoff openers by 30 or more points in consecutive years.
53:14The Lakers did it in 1986-1987.
53:21They keep setting records.
53:23Another historic day for the Thunder as they roll the Suns 119-84 to take a 1-0 series lead.
53:31But game two, Wednesday night, back here at Paycom Center.
53:36ABC World News Tonight, or your local news, is coming up next over most of these ABC stations.
53:42For Malika Andrews, Doris Burke, our entire crew, I'm Dave Pasch.
53:45Thanks for watching.
53:46ABC, home of the NBA Finals.
53:49So long from OKC after a Thunder win in game one.
53:53Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
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