Philippines, 27 Jan 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:

  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Donaire back in Cebu
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 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.