{"id":406941,"date":"2026-04-23T14:40:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T14:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/406941\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T14:40:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T14:40:15","slug":"starting-5-thunder-pistons-stand-tall-in-game-2-wins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/406941\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Thunder, Pistons stand tall in Game 2 wins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thunder take 2-0 lead over Suns, while Pistons earn first home playoff win in 18 years to tie series with Magic on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

Storm Warning: A signature OKC surge gives the reigning champs a 2-0 series lead \u2013 extending a historic stretch of home Playoff dominance.<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Thunder Strike Again: Shai\u2019s 37, Chet\u2019s monster 3rd and a 2-0 series lead for OKC<\/p>\n

Pistons Pull Even: The East\u2019s No. 1 seed sends message with 30-3 run to tie series 1-1<\/p>\n

Nuggets at Wolves: How Gobert\u2019s clutch defense helped reset the series for tonight\u2019s Game 3<\/p>\n

In The East: Hawks eye home edge after Game 2 stunner, Cavs chase 3-0 lead<\/p>\n

Sacrifice Rewarded: Keldon Johnson\u2019s journey to Kia Sixth Man of the Year<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

The NBA Playoffs<\/a> deliver three Game 3s tonight on Prime, with Knicks-Hawks and Nuggets-Wolves even at 1-1, while the Cavs look to seize a 3-0 series lead in Toronto.<\/p>\n

Johnson Wins Sixth Man: The Spurs\u2019 Keldon Johnson has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year<\/a>, earning the John Havlicek Trophy. The Kia Sportsmanship Award will be announced today at Noon ET.<\/p>\n

See the full NBA Awards Week announcement schedule and results here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Monday: Kia Defensive Player of the Year | Victor Wembanyama (SAS)
\nTuesday: Kia Clutch Player of the Year | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)
\nWednesday: Kia Sixth Man of the Year | Keldon Johnson (SAS)
\nThursday: Sportsmanship Award (Noon ET, @NBAPR)
\nFriday: Kia Most Improved Player (6:30 ET, Prime)<\/p>\n

\"Keldon<\/p>\n

1. THUNDER ROLL TO 2-0 LEAD BEHIND SGA & HOLMGREN<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

Another night. Another Thunder strike. Another reminder why they\u2019re reigning champs.<\/p>\n

Thunder 120, Suns 107: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was masterful<\/a> (37 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast), as he and Chet Holmgren (19 pts, 8 reb, 4 blk) sparked a decisive 35-20 3rd quarter run to seize control, propelling OKC past Dillon Brooks (30 pts, 6 reb) and Phoenix to take a 2-0 series lead. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Rolling In: Jalen Williams scored all 19 of his points in the 1st half, going 7-of-8 from the field to give OKC a 65-57 lead at the break
\nRaining Down: Then, the storm. SGA (12 pts, 4 ast) and Holmgren (11 pts, 3 blk, 4-5 FG) erupted for 23 combined points in the 3rd, combining to outscore the whole Phoenix team (20) and build a 23-point lead
\nLast Wind: Brooks scored 13 in the 4th to spark a 20-4 run that cut the lead to 10 late. But it wasn\u2019t enough, as SGA \u2013 fresh off collecting the Kia Clutch POY Jerry West Trophy \u2013 scored or assisted on OKC\u2019s next 10 points to ice it<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

Signature Strikes: Over the past two regular seasons, the Thunder have notched 64 quarters in which they\u2019ve outscored their opponent by 15+ points.<\/p>\n

En route to last year\u2019s title, OKC tallied 11 such quarters in the Playoffs.<\/p>\n

Both marks are all-time NBA records.<\/p>\n

Two games into the 2026 Playoffs, the Thunder already have two more \u2013 one in Game 1 and one in Game 2 \u2013 a reminder of their ability to turn spurts into tsunamis.<\/p>\n

And at the epicenter has been their pair of 2025-26 All-Stars.<\/p>\n

Tone-Setting Surge: OKC opened Game 1 with a 35-20 1st quarter, as SGA (8 pts, 3 ast) and Holmgren (13 pts, 6 reb, 2 stl) again outscored Phoenix
\n2-0 Tidal Wave: Last night? Another 35-20 quarter behind the two All-Stars, with Holmgren becoming just the third player in 15 years to record 10+ points and 3+ blocks on 80% shooting in a Playoff quarter
\n\u201cHe\u2019s special, man<\/a>,\u201d said SGA of Holmgren postgame. \u201cHe affects the game at a really high level, every time he steps on the floor \u2026
\n\u201cSince the day he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, we\u2019ve been the 1st seed in the West, and it\u2019s no coincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chet<\/p>\n

Thunder Dome: OKC has taken advantage of those No. 1 seeds with homecourt dominance, going 13-2 in Playoff games at Paycom Center since last season.<\/p>\n

In those games, the Thunder have outscored their opponents by 307 points \u2013 the highest point differential over any 15-game span at home in Playoff history.<\/p>\n

Up Next: The series shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 on Saturday, as the Suns look to answer on their home floor (3:30 ET, NBC).<\/p>\n

2. CADE, PISTONS GET EVEN ON HUGE GAME 2 RUN<\/p>\n

\"Cade<\/p>\n

Cade Cunningham and the Pistons knew how they needed to respond after dropping Game 1 to the 8-seed Magic.<\/p>\n

The East leaders responded by putting on a show in the 3rd quarter, setting a new tone for the series.<\/p>\n

Pistons 98, Magic 83: Cunningham (27 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast<\/a>) was in the driver\u2019s seat again for Detroit, which used a 38-point 3rd to cruise and even the series at 1-1, holding the Magic to a season-low 83 points. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Stronger Start: Detroit jumped out to a 14-7 start, swatting a play-by-play era-high seven shots in the 1st quarter<\/a>
\nKeeping Pace: Orlando struggled from the field throughout, shooting a season-low 32.5%. Matching Detroit\u2019s physicality, the Magic tied the game at 46 entering the half<\/p>\n

But the Pistons erupted for a 3rd quarter to remember, winning the frame 38-16 for a double-digit lead they never surrendered.<\/p>\n

\"Isaiah<\/p>\n

Getting Rolling: Tobias Harris\u2019 (16 pts, 11 reb) stepback jumper opened the 3rd and a 30-3 game-deciding run<\/a> for the Pistons
\nContagious Makes: Eight of nine Pistons who played in the quarter scored, with six tallying 5+ points
\nLockdown D: Detroit held Orlando to 16 points on 29.4% shooting and 25% from 3, while swiping four steals for a 22-point lead
\nRare Run: No team since 2022 has held an opponent to those marks while outscoring it by 20+ in a 3rd quarter<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing to get flustered about,\u201d Cunningham said of Detroit\u2019s response to Game 1. \u201cToday was a good step forward in the right direction for us \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a long series. Even this win doesn\u2019t change anything, we gotta keep rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Motor Cade: Cunningham leads all Playoff scorers through two games, adding to his 39-point Game 1 tally for 33 ppg
\nOrlando\u2019s Core: Jalen Suggs (19 pts) led four Magic starters in double figures, as Orlando got 64 of its 83 points from the first unit
\nUp Next: Tied 1-1, the series shifts to Orlando for Game 3 on Saturday (1 ET, Peacock)<\/p>\n

3. ON PRIME: GOBERT, WOLVES LOOK TO STOP NUGGETS AGAIN IN GAME 3<\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

One of the league\u2019s most iconic rivalries just added a wild new chapter.<\/p>\n

When the Wolves climbed back from 19 down to win Game 2 \u2014 their 2nd-largest Playoff comeback ever, after a 20-point swing against Denver in 2024 WCF Game 7 \u2014 it tied the series and stole home-court going into Game 3 tonight (9:30 ET, Prime).<\/p>\n

And while Anthony Edwards (30 pts) and Donte DiVincenzo (19) powered the rally on the offensive end, the series-altering turnaround does not happen without Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota defense.<\/p>\n

Crunch Time: When the game kicked into clutch time, Minnesota outscored Denver 13-7, clamping the Nuggets to just two field goals on 20% shooting
\nNo Joke: Gobert limited Nuggets in his path to 4-of-15 shooting, keying in on Nikola Joki\u0107 to force him to 1-of-8<\/p>\n

And as Jon Krawczynski writes for The Athletic, the timing of Gobert\u2019s big stand makes a lot of sense:<\/p>\n

Joki\u0107 put up 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists against Minnesota in a Christmas Day win. Last season, he erupted for 61 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in an overtime loss to the Wolves.<\/p>\n

\u2026 But Edwards, and the rest of the Timberwolves\u2026 didn\u2019t hesitate to put a generational defensive player on a generational offensive player and tell him to go to work. Gobert responded with one of the best performances of his life\u2026\u201d | Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

4. IN THE EAST: HAWKS HOST KNICKS, CAVS VISIT RAPTORS<\/p>\n

\"Nickeil<\/p>\n

In the shot-clock era, 1,328 teams have trailed by 10+ points entering the 4th quarter of a Playoff game. Only 31 came back to win.<\/p>\n

Then the Hawks \u2013 staring at a potential 2-0 deficit in Madison Square Garden \u2013 became No. 32.<\/p>\n

In 12 minutes on Monday, a 12-point Knicks lead turned on its head \u2013 and so did the series \u2013 as the Hawks roared back to tie it at 1-1.<\/p>\n

Tonight (7 ET, Prime), the series shifts to Atlanta for a pivotal Game 3.<\/p>\n

Months In Motion: Atlanta\u2019s rally was improbable, but not random. The Hawks posted five comebacks of 14+ points this season and closed the regular season on an East-best 20-6 run after the All-Star break
\nClosing Clamps: During that stretch, Atlanta ranked 3rd in 4th-quarter DefRtg, holding its opponents to an NBA-low 29.8% from 3
\nPlayoff Proof: In Monday\u2019s rally, the Hawks held the Knicks to 5-of-22 shooting and 15 points in the final frame \u2013 their lowest-scoring 4th quarter of the season
\n\u201cWe just kept competing,\u201d said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. \u201cNew York was dialed in and knocked us back \u2026 we needed to raise our level \u2013 and the guys did that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jalen<\/p>\n

Crunch-Time Collision: The Hawks have made a habit of elevating late, but so have the Knicks.<\/p>\n

Led by Jalen Brunson, the 2024-25 Kia Clutch Player of the Year, New York has outscored its opponents by an NBA-best 238 total points in the 4th quarter \u2013 76 more than the next closest team.<\/p>\n

When those strengths collide, chaos has followed: three of the Knicks and Hawks\u2019 five meetings this season have been decided by one possession \u2013 tied for the most between any two teams.<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

While Knicks-Hawks has been defined by late drama, Cavs-Raptors so far belonged to Cleveland\u2019s two superstars: Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.<\/p>\n

Tonight on Prime (8 ET), the series shifts to Toronto as Cleveland looks to take a 3-0 lead behind its dynamic duo.<\/p>\n

The Acquisition: On Feb. 3, the Cavs sat 4th in the East at 30-21, but they were searching for another level. So they made the move for Harden
\nBeard Boost: At the time, Cleveland owned a 116.9 OffRtg. After Harden entered the lineup, that number jumped to 120.7 \u2013 the 4th-best mark in the NBA
\nThat Other Level: In Games 1 & 2, Cleveland\u2019s been even better, posting an East-best 121.7 OffRtg, with Mitchell (31 pts, 4.5 ast) and Harden (25 pts, 7 ast) having scored or assisted on 66.4% of the team\u2019s points
\n\u201cThe James Harden effect is not only the gravity, but the IQ level,\u201d said Mitchell last week. \u201cWhat he brings, what he sees, what he\u2019s able to do \u2026 he\u2019s a basketball savant.\u201d
\nSavant \ud83e\udd1d Spida: With Harden operating, Mitchell\u2019s big-game gear has kicked in, posting back-to-back 30-pieces while shooting 47.1% from 3
\n\u201cHe\u2019s capable of the spectacular,\u201d said Harden of Mitchell after Game 2. \u201cBig-time shots from him. Big-time play from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Toronto isn\u2019t out. The Raptors haven\u2019t lost three straight games since Dec. 9, and now return home to Scotiabank Arena, where they\u2019re 24-17 this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve learned a lot,\u201d said Raptors coach Darko Rajakovi\u0107 of Games 1 & 2. \u201cWe\u2019re going home now to get a win.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. SPURS\u2019 KELDON JOHNSON WINS KIA SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n

\"Keldon<\/p>\n

Keldon Johnson had a new calling for the 2023-24 season.<\/p>\n

The Spurs saw him as a better fit on the bench than in the starting lineup and moved him accordingly. For the previous three seasons, he operated regularly as a starter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to be part of something special here in San Antonio,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cAt first, it was tough. I had to (control) my ego and put the team first \u2026 after that, the sky was the limit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two seasons later, Johnson continues to reach for the sky. On Wednesday, the 7th-year forward was named the Kia Sixth Man of the Year<\/a>. | Full 2025-26 NBA Awards Tracker & Schedule<\/a><\/p>\n

All Alone: Johnson is the first player in franchise history to score 1,000+ points off the bench in a single season, finishing this year with 1,081
\nJoining Manu: He\u2019s followed in the footsteps of four-time NBA champion Manu Ginobili, who, in 2007-08, became the first Spur to win the award<\/p>\n

San Antonio won 22 games in 2023-24.<\/p>\n

This season, Johnson helped power the Spurs to 62 wins and the West\u2019s No. 2 seed, serving as the top option off the bench in all 82 games.<\/p>\n

On Both Ends: Among all NBA reserves, Johnson finished top-five in rebounds (303), free throws (154) and plus-minus (+3.9)
\n\u201cHe has sacrificed more than anybody on this team,\u201d said Victor Wembanyama. \u201c(He) has outshone everybody on the team because he\u2019s the soul of this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

Wembanyama was named Kia Defensive Player of the Year on Monday, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned Kia Clutch Player of the Year on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The NBA Sportsmanship Award will be announced today at Noon ET, and the Kia Most Improved Player will be revealed Friday (6:30 ET, Prime).<\/p>\n

Want to share\u00a0Starting\u00a05\u00a0with a friend?\u00a0Send them this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shape the Starting 5.\u00a0\u00a0Email us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have the NBA App? Download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Thunder take 2-0 lead over Suns, while Pistons earn first home playoff win in 18 years to tie…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":406942,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[85,46,105,91844],"class_list":["post-406941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-sports","tag-starting-5"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=406941"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406941\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/406942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=406941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=406941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=406941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}