The Oklahoma City Thunder are well on their way to a dominant first-round series win. Fresh off of a 68-win season, the Thunder have thoroughly thrashed the Memphis Grizzlies, winning Game 1 by 51 points and marching their way to victory by 19 points in Game 2.
Both performances would've turned heads under any set of circumstances, but it was the fact that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was nowhere near an MVP level that should have teams terrified.
Gilgeous-Alexander's mere presence on the court is enough to bend a defense and create opportunities for his teammates. It's a fact that must be considered when discussing the manner in which the first two games of the series have played out.
In saying that, Gilgeous-Alexander has shot just 14-of-42 from the field and 4-of-17 from beyond the arc through the first two games of the series.
Despite the fact that he's struggled to find the bottom of the net, the Thunder are up 2-0 with a margin of victory of 70 points. It's been a statement of a home stand that has centered around the depth of Oklahoma City's rotation rather than its superstar.
There are an abundance of true contenders in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but they should all be nervous to encounter the Thunder if they can dominate this way when Gilgeous-Alexander is struggling.
Thunder dominant in spite of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring woes
Game 1 was a performance for the ages, as the Thunder barely needed a full half of basketball to put the Grizzlies away. Aaron Wiggins scored a team-high 21 points, while Jalen Williams addressed criticism of his postseason history with 20 points and six assists in just 26 minutes.
All five starters finished in double figures, with Wiggins bringing the tally to six different players with at least 10 points—while Gilgeous-Alexander shot 4-of-13 from the field.
In Game 2, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a team-high 27 points, but shot just 10-of-29 from the field. Williams stepped up again, posting 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal on 10-of-19 shooting for a second consecutive strong showing.
Chet Holmgren added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, while Alex Caruso stepped up with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 22 minutes.
Those individual numbers are all impressive, but the truth about the Thunder's success is that it's been about the team. They've swarmed to the ball on defense, allowing 89.5 points on 38.4 percent shooting from the field through two games.
Oklahoma City has also dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle by a margin of 109-85 overall and 28-22 on the offensive glass.
Beyond the numbers, the Thunder are embracing a selfless approach that allows the hot hand to run its course. There isn't an ego involved in how shots are distributed, as even Gilgeous-Alexander's shot total in Game 2 was inflated by a clear effort to get him into a rhythm with the outcome decided.
There will be tougher challenges ahead than the first two games of this series, but the Thunder have put the NBA on notice by dominating without Gilgeous-Alexander playing at his best.