Oklahoma City Thunder moved 2-0 ahead of the Phoenix Suns, while the Detroit Pistons halted a historic home drought, as both hosts produced composed wins that reshaped early storylines in their Western and Eastern Conference NBA playoff series.
The Thunder handled Phoenix 120-107 behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s standout showing, preventing another upset after several higher seeds slipped at home, while Detroit’s 98-83 victory over the Orlando Magic ended an 11-game home playoff skid and levelled that series.
Gilgeous-Alexander dominated Game 2 with 37 points and nine assists, reversing Sunday’s inefficient display. The guard, who shot 5-for-18 in the opener, hit 13 of 25 attempts this time. The performance followed a pre-game ceremony, when Gilgeous-Alexander received
the NBA Clutch Player of the Year trophy on court.
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams both contributed 19 points for Oklahoma City, adding balance around Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams exited during the third quarter because of a left hamstring issue and did not return. The All-Star in 2024-25 had already missed 30 games with a right hamstring problem, after earlier wrist surgery delayed the season start.
Went to work in Loud City pic.twitter.com/k4T4v9FaLY OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 23, 2026
Oklahoma City shot 47.3% from the field and forced 21 turnovers, avoiding the home slips suffered by other high seeds. Detroit, Boston and New York, the Eastern Conference’s top three, had all already dropped home games, as had San Antonio and Denver, the West’s No. 2 and No. 3. For Phoenix, Dillon Brooks had 30 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, while Devin Booker scored 22 and Jalen Green added 21. The Suns host Game 3 on Saturday.
| NBA playoff series | Matchup | Game 2 Score | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Conference first round | Oklahoma City Thunder vs Phoenix Suns | 120-107 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 37 points |
| Eastern Conference first round | Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic | 98-83 | Cade Cunningham – 27 points |
Detroit’s win over Orlando not only tied their first-round matchup but also ended the NBA’s longest home playoff losing run. The Pistons had dropped 11 straight home postseason games, a sequence stretching back to 2008. Game 3 of the NBA playoff series is scheduled for Saturday in Orlando, with momentum shifting.
Cade Cunningham guided Detroit with 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in a controlled display. Orlando and Detroit were level at half-time, but the hosts exploded after the break. The Pistons outscored the Magic 38-16 in the third quarter, with six players posting at least five points. Cunningham had scored a playoff career-high 39 in Game 1 but then lacked support. This time, five teammates reached double figures.
Cade cooked pic.twitter.com/Zshhseqk11 Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 23, 2026
Orlando’s offence struggled throughout the NBA playoff series contest. Jalen Suggs finished with 19 points and Paolo Banchero added 18, yet together they missed 14 of 25 shots. The Magic shot 33% as a team and recorded a season low in points. Detroit’s Tobias Harris scored 16, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson had 11 each, and Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart contributed 10 apiece. Robinson connected on three important three-pointers for a roster that often battles from long range.
With Oklahoma City two games clear of Phoenix and Detroit level with Orlando, both NBA playoff series now move to new venues. The Thunder travel confident after protecting home court, while the Pistons carry renewed belief after ending their long home slide and rediscovering balanced scoring support around Cunningham.
