Philippines, 31 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA PLAYOFFS -- Thunder strikes first, seize Game 1 of West Finals


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- In what is expected to be a long and hard-fought Western Conference Finals series, the Oklahoma City Thunder drew first blood on Monday night and stunned the heavily favored defending champions Golden State Warriors at the Oracle Arena.

As has been the case in the Thunder's post-seson run this year, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook provided the muscle behind OKC's offensive might. Durant finished with had 26 points and 10 rebounds while Russell Westbrook peppered the box score with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 7 steals and 6 rebounds.

Durant's and Westbrook's massive haul was enough to propel the Thunder to a come-from-behind 108-102 victory and a 1-0 lead in this best-of-7 showdown. Game 2 is Wednesday night at the Oracle Arena, where the Warriors went 40-1 during the regular season and 6-1 in this postseason.

Down 60-47 at the half and 61-47 early in the third quarter the Thunder held the explosive Warriors to 42 second half points, including a mere 14 points in the final 12 minutes.

"We're just a resilient group and keep fightng 'til the end," Durant told ESPN. The 6-foot-11 All-Star and former MVP made only 10 of 30 field goals, but with 30 ticks to go and with the game on the line, Durant calmly crossed over Andre Iguodala before swishing a 17-footer that gave OKC a 105-100 lead.

OKC's bigs were huge in Game 1. Steven Adams, the 7-foot giant from New Zealand, hd 16 points and 12 rebounds while Serge Ibaka carded 11 points and 11 rebounds. With Adams and Ibaka patrolling the shaded lanes, the Thunder out-rebounded the Warriors, 52-44.

Reigning back-to-back MVP Steph Curry had a productive night with 26 points, 10 boards and 7 assists. But he was mired with 7 turnovers and shot just 9-for-22 from the field including 6-for-14 from long distance.

Klay Thompson finished with 25 points and Draymond Green had 23 for Golden State, which shot just 44 percent from the field and 36.7 (11-of-30) from 3-point range. The Warriors took only 17 free throws, 15 less than the Thunder.

Photo: Russell Westbrook's all-around play (27 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals) hoped the OKC Thunder pocket Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.