Shai Gilgeous-Alexander caps OKC Thunder rally vs Knicks to clinch NBA Playoff berth
NEW YORK — There’s just something about Madison Square Garden.
The lights, the atmosphere, the deafening crowd of celebrities and emotional New Yorkers, Tracy Morgan. The dazzling on-court performers that come to town.
Almost no performance had been louder than Jalen Brunson’s. New York’s glorious son, the one who shot to MVP chants, who torched the Thunder throughout the second half, who seemingly finished them off with a crafty lay-in with just four seconds to play on Sunday.
All until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who drilled a baseline jumper with 1.8 seconds to play in the Thunder's 113-112 win against the Knicks, who stole Brunson’s glory. And who clinched the Thunder's first playoff berth in four years and 12th in 16 seasons in Oklahoma City.
In his first game back since being sidelined with a quad injury, Gilgeous-Alexander trotted around for much of Sunday’s game with a masked limp. With slower pace, with unfamiliar levels of aggression.
OKC’s engine had mostly been Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams. Giddey, who’s been on a tear recently, finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. With his performance, Giddey became the first player in NBA history to record three triple-doubles in each of their first three appearances at Madison Square Garden.
Williams, who virtually walked anywhere he pleased on the floor, finished with 33 points on 14-of-18 shooting.
It still only kept OKC in its seat for a wild finish. For missed rebounds, for each team trading wacky free throw misses, for star-level shotmaking. Brunson, who erupted for 25 points, nearly won the Knicks game. Should’ve won the Knicks the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 19 points, just did what stars do, in the place they thrive most.
Up next
The Thunder will head to Philadelphia for the second game on this season-long, five-game road trip. OKC will face the 76ers at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (TNT).
More: Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball: How popular Thunder role player became a meme
Thunder vs. Knicks live score updates
More: How does Kevin Durant feel about OKC Thunder fans still booing him? Here's what he said
Thunder vs. Knicks highlights
More: Does OKC Thunder own the tiebreaker over Nuggets, Timberwolves? Explaining NBA rules
Final: Thunder 113, Knicks 112
Thunder with one of its grittiest wins of the season. Unbelievable, almost unexplainable finish. Brunson. Shai. The FTs. The close. Only at MSG. Shai finished with 19 (7-16) and the game winner. Giddey finishes with a triple double. JDub with 33 on 18 shots.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End of 3Q: Knicks 85, Thunder 75
NY was 8/8 in the paint and 6 for 12 from 3 in the quarter, scoring 39 points in the third. Outscored OKC by 14. Jalen Williams has been phenomenal. He has not had phenomenal help.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Half: Thunder 50, Knicks 45
Knicks shooting 35.4% FG, 19% from deep. Thunder numbers have rounded out some (thank Isaiah Joe), but still at 41.3% FG, 33% from 3. Just seven combined TOs.
JDub: 17 pts (7/10)
Giddey: 2-9-6
Shai: 7 pts (3/9)
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End of 1Q: Knicks 22, Thunder 17
Egregious shooting game. NYK @ 30.8% FG, 3 for 13 from deep. Thunder is 29.2% FG, 3 for 11 from 3. Notable cold stretch during the Shai + reserves minutes to end the quarter. Knicks ended on a 13-5 run.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
More: Why OKC Thunder announcer Chris Fisher is missing time from NBA broadcasts
Thunder vs. Knicks start time today
Matchup: Thunder (51-22) vs. Knicks (44-29)
Date: Sunday, March 31
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Madison Square Garden in New York
Betting line: Knicks by 1
Box score: Click HERE
More: Where OKC Thunder ranks in most 50-win NBA seasons since team's inception
Thunder vs. Knicks TV channel today
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: 98.1 FM, 640 AM
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
If you don't have Bally Sports Oklahoma, you can sign up for Fubo with a free trial to watch the Thunder all season long.
More: Mussatto: Kevin Durant returning to OKC Thunder would be fairytale ending
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beat Knicks to cap playoff berth
