NBA Playoffs Begin with Historic Thrilling Games and Record-Breaking Wins

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series on April 19, 2025, with a staggering margin of 51 points, marking the fifth-largest victory in NBA postseason history.

This victory came just seven points shy of the record for the largest playoff win. The Thunder’s impressive performance was highlighted by standout contributions from their players, including one scoring champion, who managed 20 points and another player with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Thunder’s overall shooting accuracy was notable, as they landed 50.5% of their shots from the field. “We played to our identity,” said Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “Nothing more, nothing less than that. We were who we were all year, and it’s going to be the key to our success, just staying true to who we are.”

Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of preparation for his teammates ahead of the playoff season, a commitment he expressed following Oklahoma City’s previous season loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals. “I have a great group of guys around me, and I know that,” he said. “And I’ve known that for a long time. They obviously played amazing.”

Historically, the Thunder’s 51-point win ties them with other significant blowouts in NBA history, including a game in 2009 where the Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Hornets 121-63, and in 1956 when the Minneapolis Lakers overcame the St. Louis Hawks 133-75. Prior to this season, the largest playoff blowout was held by the Thunder’s own historic defeat in 2021, where they lost to the Grizzlies by 73 points, setting a record for the largest margin in NBA history.

As the playoffs continue, Game 2 of this series is scheduled for April 22, 2025.