Game 2 dominance: 3 key takeaways as the OKC Thunder go up 2-0 vs the Pelicans

Stars put up playoff scoring highs

The OKC Thunder stars topped their Game 1 performance and set their playoff career-high already in Game 2. 

Chet Holmgren paced the team from start to finish, dropping 15 points in the first quarter on the way to 26 points overall while adding on 7 rebounds and shot 9-of-13 from the field and 3-of-6 from beyond the three-point line. 

Second-year star Jalen Williams contributed 21 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds on 10-of-17 shooting. He proved once again why he's a two-way stud, using his physicality and quickness to deter Pelicans’ perimeter scorers throughout the game while helping against drives to clog lanes on the defensive end. 

Most emphatically, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up a playoff-high 33 points on an efficient 13-of-19 shooting clip, while also knocking down three of his five three-point shots to lift the Thunder.

No one could guard SGA as his offensive game proved to be so complete that even a defensive scheme centered around him could not slow his scoring down. 

It is and will be crucial to see all of these three players clicking on the offensive end. If they find their rhythm, the Thunder will be a very dangerous team to face in any playoff series.  

Chet, Shai, and J-Dub are the barometers of this team, not just for this game, but for the rest of this team's era.