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Giant Lead of 48 Points for Thunder Post-3 Quarters Represents Fourth-Largest Differential in NBA Playoff History Records

Thunder Dominates Nuggets, Builds Sizeable Lead After Third Quarter in Round 2 Playoff Matchup.

Giant Lead of 48 Points for Thunder Post-3 Quarters Represents Fourth-Largest Differential in NBA Playoff History Records

Thunder Steamroll Over Nuggets in Record-Breaking Second-Round Game

Unleashing carnage, the Oklahoma City Thunder obliterated the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series, leading by an astounding 124-76 at the close of the third quarter.

Trampling through the competition like a herd of rampaging buffalo, the Thunder showcased their sheer dominance, tying the fourth-largest margin after three quarters in NBA playoff history. For the record: That's a whopping 48-point lead, just one point shy of their staggering 49-point advantage over the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this season[1].

In the first quarter alone, the Thunder cemented their unstoppable force, touting the best scoring margin in any playoff quarter in their franchise's history - 45-21[1]. Credit where it's due, Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledges that this impressive outing was simply a representation of the team's season-long efforts, rather than a direct response to their defeat in Game 1[2].

The Denver Nuggets, reeling from the Thunder's relentless onslaught, could barely keep up. Despite arriving for Game 2 fresh off an exhilarating comeback victory in Game 1, the Nuggets struggled to keep up with MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander unleashed a torrent of havoc in the opening quarter, outscoring the entire Denver team with an eye-popping 27 points[3]. The man's a machine, going 11-of-13 from the floor and an unbelievable 11-of-11 at the free-throw line by the end of the game, racking up 34 points and eight assists[3].

Let's not forget the Thunder's incredible half-time score of 87-56, shattering the NBA playoff record for the most points scored in a half[1]. All five Thunder starters, along with reserve forward Aaron Wiggins, had tallied double-digit scores by half-time[1].

Once again, the Nuggets found themselves in disarray at the break, faced with a daunting challenge in mounting a comeback. The best-of-seven series now shifts to Denver for Games 3 and 4, as the Thunder leave a trail of destruction in their wake.

[1] Source: Basketball Reference[2] Source: Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 8, 2025[3] Additional Insight: Per ESPN Stats & Information, the Thunder outscored the Nuggets by 51 points in Gilgeous-Alexander's 30 minutes, giving him the best plus-minus in a playoff game since that statistic started being tracked in 1997-98.

  1. Definitely, the Oklahoma City Thunder's performance in Game 2, where they obliterated the Denver Nuggets, showcased their basketball dominance, as they tied the fourth-largest margin after three quarters in NBA playoff history with a 48-point lead.
  2. For the record, this performance was a representation of the Thunder's season-long efforts, rather than a direct response to their defeat in Game 1.
  3. In the first quarter alone, the Thunder cemented their unstoppable force, topping the best scoring margin in any playoff quarter in their franchise's history - a formidable 45-21 lead.
  4. MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander unleashed a torrent of havoc in the opening quarter, outscoring the entire Denver team with an astonishing 27 points and going 11-of-13 from the floor and an unbelievable 11-of-11 at the free-throw line by the end of the game.
  5. The Thunder's incredible half-time score of 87-56 shattered the NBA playoff record for the most points scored in a half, with all five Thunder starters and reserve forward Aaron Wiggins having tallied double-digit scores by half-time.
  6. The best-of-seven series now shifts to Denver for Games 3 and 4, as the Thunder leave a trail of destruction in their wake, with their impressive stats and imprint firmly imprinted on the sports landscape.
Oklahoma City Thunder surges ahead, holding a significant 48-point lead (124-76) over Denver Nuggets in the third quarter of Game 2 in their second-round playoff matchup...

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