NBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

How Social Media Reacted to OKC Thunder’s Blowout Game 1 Win Over Suns

Apr 8, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) dunks in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Add us as a preferred source on Google

How Social Media Reacted to OKC Thunder’s Blowout Game 1 Win Over Suns

Originally posted on Oklahoma City Thunder on SI
By Derek Parker | Last updated Apr 19, 2026 6:11 PM ET

Add us as a preferred source on Google

The Thunder kicked off their postseason on Sunday afternoon, taking the floor against the Phoenix Suns for Game 1. Fresh off their first title since relocation, Oklahoma City is hoping for another extended postseason run.

Things started off well for OKC, with the squad grabbing a blowout win over Phoenix in its debut action. Eventually, Jalen Williams would help to start the run, hitting a triple and getting a steal-and-slam for the five-point swing. From there, it was all Thunder, as the team would coast to 39-point lead, eventually seeing it's third-team players finish the game.

The Thunder woul win 119-84 in total, capping its third-straight postseason opener with a win, having beaten the Pelicans and Grizzlies in previous season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't see a stellar game by his standards, scoring just 25 points on 18 shots, though his co-stars in Williams and Chet Holmgren were able to star alongside him. Williams continued to add in his stellar two-way game on the wing, going for 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Holmgren anchored the paint with 16 points on 50% shooting, with two steals and blocks apiece.

After a slow-ish start, the Thunder turned things up a notch late in the first quarter, fueled by a Jalen Williams 3-pointer and steal-and-slam for a five-point swing.

Here’s how X, formerly known as Twitter, reacted to the game:

Let’s work @Kia Electric Starting Lineups pic.twitter.com/g7c1GTwdeZ
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 19, 2026

Game 1 starters ☄️@gobellbanks | #SunsUp pic.twitter.com/BntZBUXZKO
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 19, 2026

OKC Thunder fans are legit the only ones in the league who wear all the t-shirts and the arena looks beautiful. https://t.co/yl5UNTLKnX
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 19, 2026

MVP chants can already be heard for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just a few minutes into the game.

Finalists for the award will be announced today during halftime of the Detroit-Orlando game, which tips off at 5:30 p.m. CT.
— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) April 19, 2026

Great execution on that fast break by OKC and Isaiah Hartenstein caps it off with a slam.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) April 19, 2026

5-0 Dub run
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) April 19, 2026

Been a 14-2 run for the Thunder. They've hit the nos early
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) April 19, 2026

Fantastic find from Shai to AC under the rim.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) April 19, 2026

Chet Holmgren is one of the best basketball players in the world
— Gur Singh (@HoopFocusX) April 19, 2026

Suns playing great defense but keep giving up the OREB
— Erik Ruby (@ErikRuby) April 19, 2026

Thunder are working the offensive glass. 7 offensive rebounds in the first
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) April 19, 2026

Jaylin Williams touchdown pass to Chet Holmgren for a turnaround 3-pointer,

Playoffs, indeed.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) April 19, 2026

What a play pic.twitter.com/fzDVtvqfim
— Going For 2 Podcast (@Goingfor2PodIP) April 19, 2026

Playoff J Dub pic.twitter.com/DkH6nyQqrO
— Russ' TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) April 19, 2026

I gotta be honest… did NOT think that Cason Wallace had enough space to catch that lob but Jalen Williams knew otherwise

What a dunk by Wallace. Thunder, leading the Suns 51-28 in the 2Q, having fun out here in Game 1
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) April 19, 2026

Shai-like baseline jumper from Dub
— Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) April 19, 2026

OKC really is one of the greatest defensive units of all time. Just smothering
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 19, 2026

Insane two-way play by Caso
— Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) April 19, 2026

OKC is now up to 17 points off Phoenix's turnovers.

Comparatively, the Thunder have only given up 2 points off their turnovers so far today.
— Paris Lawson (@ParisNLawson) April 19, 2026

JALEN WILLIAMS REJECTS DILLON BROOKS ❌ pic.twitter.com/djs9Ip9DQz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 19, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got up there to block that dunk on Oso Ighodaro, who's five inches taller.

A reminder that SGA ranks 10th among guards in total blocks this season (52).
— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) April 19, 2026

That's a pair of very tough made layups by Dillon Brooks, who's been struggling offensively today. He has 16 points on 5-for-20 shooting from the field (3 for 10 from deep).
— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) April 19, 2026