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**An MVP Evening for SGA as OKC Takes a 2-0 Series Lead**
**FIVE HEADLINES IN TODAY’S ISSUE 🏀**
May 23, 2025
**SGA Dazzles:** Following his MVP award, Shai scored 38 points to deliver a victory for OKC.
**Third Quarter Surge:** For the second consecutive game, OKC ignited after halftime.
**Tyrese’s Moment:** Game 1 showcased Tyrese Haliburton’s remarkable Playoff performance.
**Knicks’ Determination:** New York aims to recover from a challenging Game 1 defeat on their home turf.
**Kia NBA All-Defensive Team:** Discover the strengths of the league’s elite defenders.
**FIRST THINGS FIRST… ⏰**
Let’s dive back in…
**Game 2 at The Garden:** After a thrilling Game 1, the East Finals continues tonight with Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers seeking to take a 2-0 lead against the Knicks and Jalen Brunson (8 PM ET, TNT).
1. **THUNDER CLAIM 2-0 SERIES ADVANTAGE ON MVP NIGHT FOR SGA**
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On Wednesday night, SGA embraced an addition to his accolades – the MVP title.
He proved his worth on Thursday.
Thunder 118, Wolves 103: In a display of exceptional two-way play, Gilgeous-Alexander netted a game-high 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting, leading all players in assists (8) and steals (3) as OKC overcame Minnesota for a 2-0 series advantage. | Game Recap
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**MVP Performance:** Recognized as one of the game’s most versatile scorers, SGA’s game is characterized by equilibrium, composure, and rhythm.
On a night when he raised the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy to a rousing ovation, his stats mirrored his style: 19 points in each half – a flawlessly balanced performance from OKC’s dependable star.
**Supporting Stars:** Williams also filled the stat sheet for OKC with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points to help secure home court advantage.
**Up Next:** With OKC leading the series 2-0, it shifts to Minnesota for Game 3, scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 PM ET (ABC).
2. **THUNDER’S THIRD QUARTER EXPLOSION CARRIES THEM PAST WOLVES AGAIN**
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In Game 1, the Thunder closed the 3rd quarter with a 20-6 run over the last 7:20, flipping a four-point deficit into a double-digit lead.
In Game 2, they mirrored that success, ending the 3rd quarter with a 23-7 run over the last 4:48, transforming a six-point lead into a 22-point advantage.
Thursday’s surge was nearly flawless from a team that boasts a league-best 68 wins and holds the record for average point differential this season. Here are the highlights:
These stretches truly represent the Thunder at their best—leveraging their top-ranking defense to create live-ball turnovers and translating those into easy transition baskets.
3. **A CLOSER LOOK AT HALIBURTON’S REMARKABLE PLAYOFF JOURNEY**
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After OG Anunoby split a pair of free throws, giving the Knicks a two-point edge with 7.3 seconds remaining in regulation, it was clear who’d get the next possession.
Tyrese Haliburton brought the ball forward, drove toward the paint, had the ball dislodged but recovered, then stepped back to the 3-point line to nail a game-tying 2-pointer just before the buzzer.
Not only did this shot complete another unexpected comeback for the Pacers, but it also highlighted what makes this postseason so significant for both Haliburton and Indiana, which will continue its journey tonight with Game 2 of the East Finals at MSG (8 PM ET, TNT).
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
In the Playoffs, Haliburton has been averaging 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.5 assists per game over 11 contests.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Game 1 also exemplified the grit of Haliburton and the entire Pacers team, proving time and again that they are never truly out of contention.
4. **KNICKS’ DETERMINATION: NEW YORK SEEKS TO RALLY BACK**
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The recurring question isn’t whether the Knicks can bounce back in the Playoffs, but rather how they will do so.
New York demonstrated in the Eastern Semifinals that they can overcome late-game deficits, showcasing their ability to make effective adjustments between games.
“You just have to get back to work,” said Karl-Anthony Towns after Game 1. “We’ll practice, review film, and prepare for the next one. That’s how you bounce back.”
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Towns and Jalen Brunson set the stage for victory with their standout performances, combining for their third-highest total points in any game this season.
This pair has skillfully navigated the season in a manner that has never been seen before within the storied environment of Madison Square Garden.
“It’s the Playoffs. Winning is the best; losing can feel like the worst,” Brunson expressed. “The best approach is to remain composed and ensure we support each other.”
5. **2024-25 KIA NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAMS: TOP PERFORMERS OF THE SEASON**
Every night in the NBA presents a unique defensive challenge. It could be:
In a league populated with the world’s premier scorers, highflyers, and creative playmakers, exceptional skills are needed to contain them.
Enter the 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Defensive Teams.
**First Team:**
**Dyson Daniels, ATL (1x All-Defensive Selection):** Daniels recorded 444 deflections this season, outpacing the next nearest player by a striking 167. He also led the league with 229 steals, the highest since Gary Payton’s 231 in the 1995-96 season.
The difference between Daniels’ steals and those in second place (131) is greater than that between second and 259th place.
**Lu Dort, OKC (1x):** As the primary defender in OKC’s formidable defense, Dort recorded a 107.3 individual Defensive Rating this season, ranking seventh among players logging over 28 minutes per game.
**Draymond Green, GS (9x):** This marks Green’s fifth selection to the First Team and ninth total All-Defensive nod. This season, the 13-year veteran registered his highest block total (70) since 2018-19 and his highest steals (99) since 2020-21.
However, it’s what doesn’t show in the statistics that makes him a priceless asset.
**Evan Mobley, CLE (2x):** The 2024-25 Kia Defensive Player of the Year excels in nearly every area. Mobley spent over 25% of his defensive minutes guarding each of the three positions (guards, forwards, centers) and finished fifth in blocks with 113.
**Amen Thompson, HOU (1x):** Among players defending 500+ shots, Thompson restricted opponents to the lowest field goal percentage (40.7%).
His rapid rise as a two-way standout parallels his impressive athleticism—he secured the second-highest number of blocks among all guards (89).
The All-Defensive Second Team features three first-time selections alongside two familiar faces.
