The first half of Saturday's NBA Cup semifinal between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets was, in Coach Mark Daigneault's words, "muddled." That’s a polite way to describe what was arguably the worst shooting half of the season for both teams. Yet, the second half was a completely different story—one that saw Oklahoma City dominate with a jaw-dropping 70 points to secure a 111-96 victory. This win earned them a ticket to Tuesday's title game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
While the offensive explosion in the second half took center stage, Daigneault pointed to a specific defensive moment as the catalyst for the turnaround. Just over a minute into the second half, Luguentz Dort—a defensive maestro for the Thunder—dove for a loose ball, snatched a steal, and immediately passed it to Cason Wallace. Wallace capitalized with a dazzling left-handed slam dunk on a solo fast break. That single play electrified the arena, energizing the Thunder and setting the stage for their resurgence.
“The energy was kind of down,” Dort admitted, reflecting on the atmosphere before his momentum-shifting play. “I think the crowd was kind of down, the whole arena was kind of down, but that play kind of did something for us, for the team. We got it going.” Dort’s statement couldn’t be more accurate; he scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half, including three clutch three-pointers that helped ignite the team’s offensive rhythm.
The Thunder’s offensive surge began in the third quarter, where they exploded for 34 points and took control of the game. After struggling from beyond the arc in the first half with a dismal 2-of-18 performance, Oklahoma City flipped the script, hitting all five of their three-point attempts in the third quarter. Dort’s hot hand was complemented by Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who delivered an all-around performance with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. “We were getting the same looks,” Williams explained. “I think we slowed down a little bit. There’s so much going on in these games; we kind of had to settle in the first half. But our defense was great, so that carried over the whole game. Offense comes and goes, but you can play defense and kind of shut certain things down.”
One of the most striking stats of the game came from ESPN Research, which revealed that the Thunder made an astonishing 14 of 19 uncontested field goal attempts in the second half. This stark contrast from their 7-of-23 mark in the first half highlights their improved focus and execution. Daigneault acknowledged the Rockets’ defensive prowess, noting, “There’s a reason they are as good as they are defensively. I thought in the first half we were kind of tiptoeing with the ball, and you really can’t do that against that team and expect to crack them. In the second half, we had more force.”
While the team effort was critical, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance worthy of MVP chatter. Despite a rough start—missing eight of his first nine shots—Gilgeous-Alexander rebounded to finish with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, five steals, and a block. His 20-point second half showcased his ability to rise to the occasion, especially against a tough individual matchup with fellow Team Canada member Dillon Brooks. “It’s fun,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the challenge. “It makes you better. That’s what this league is about, competing against the best in the world. Defensively, [Brooks] is that for sure. I like to think that of myself offensively. He gives me a chance to really see where I’m at, a good test. I’d say I handled it pretty well.”
Another pivotal contributor was Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, who recorded a career-high 21 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting. Five of his baskets came from dunks, each one facilitated by teammates, showcasing the team’s excellent ball movement. “We all knew that it’s Shai,” Hartenstein said. “He’s going to get it back on point. He did it in the second half.”
The Rockets’ defensive tenacity—ranked just behind Oklahoma City in defensive rating—proved challenging in the first half, but the Thunder’s resilience ultimately tipped the scales. Daigneault emphasized the mental adjustment that fueled their second-half dominance: “I thought our mentality against their physicality in the second half was much better, and it left a lot to be desired in the first half.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s title game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Thunder will aim to carry the momentum of their second-half heroics. Their combination of stifling defense, dynamic offense, and clutch performances from stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort sets the stage for an exciting showdown. Fans can expect nothing less than a high-energy battle as Oklahoma City eyes the NBA Cup title.
Key Takeaways:
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Defensive Spark: Luguentz Dort’s hustle play in the second half changed the game’s tone and energized the entire team.
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Offensive Explosion: Oklahoma City scored 70 points in the second half after a sluggish start, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
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Star Power: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an MVP-level performance, overcoming early struggles to dominate in the second half.
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Team Effort: Contributions from Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein highlighted the Thunder’s depth and cohesion.
With the NBA Cup title game on the horizon, the Thunder’s combination of grit, star power, and team chemistry makes them a formidable contender. Get ready for what promises to be an electrifying showdown!
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