NBA playoffs: Thunder sweep Suns as Magic leave No 1 seed Pistons on brink of exit
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 31 points, while the Orlando Magic took a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. The Suns extended their playoff losing streak to 10 games, and the Pistons were held without a field goal in the final five minutes of their loss. In another series, the Denver Nuggets staved off elimination with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, powered by Nikola Jokić's triple-double. The Thunder await the winner of the Lakers-Rockets series in the second round.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was excellent again as the Thunder breezed through the first round of the playoffs. Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenShai Gilgeous-Alexander was excellent again as the Thunder breezed through the first round of the playoffs. Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesNBANBA playoffs: Thunder sweep Suns as Magic leave No 1 seed Pistons on brink of exitSuns have lost 10 consecutive playoff gamesPistons in 3-1 hole against MagicReutersTue 28 Apr 2026 08.27 EDTLast modified on Tue 28 Apr 2026 09.17 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleOklahoma City Thunder 131-122 Phoenix SunsShai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and eight assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder finished off a first-round playoff sweep with a 131-122 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Ajay Mitchell had 22 points and six assists as the top-seeded Thunder swept their opening Western Conference series for the third straight season.Isaiah Hartenstein produced 18 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 14 points off the bench for Oklahoma City. Mitchell and Caruso each made four three-pointers for the Thunder, who will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in the second round.Devin Booker scored 24 points and Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 23 apiece for the Suns, who have lost 10 consecutive playoff games dating back to 2023.Detroit Pistons 88-94 Orlando MagicDesmond Bane scored 22 points and made one of his five three-pointers with 1:16 left as Orlando beat visiting Detroit to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Orlando forward Franz Wagner had 19 points before exiting late in the third period with a calf injury. Paolo Banchero scored 18 points, and Wendell Carter Jr had 12 points and 11 rebounds. The top-seeded Pistons were held without a field goal in the final five minutes before Isaiah Stewart scored at the buzzer. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers.Minnesota Timberwolves 113-125 Denver NuggetsNikola Jokić recorded 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds as host Denver stayed alive with a win over Minnesota in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Spencer Jones posted a playoff career-high 20 points and Cameron Johnson finished with 18 for third-seeded Denver, who had lost three straight after a Game 1 home victory.Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points and nine rebounds. Bones Hyland and Terrence Shannon Jr scored 15 apiece. Jaden McDaniels, loudly booed whenever he possessed the ball, added 13 points for the Timberwolves, who committed 25 turnovers.Explore more on these topicsNBAOklahoma City ThunderOrlando MagicDetroit PistonsPhoenix SunsBasketballUS sportsnewsShareReuse this content
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