SGA dedicates Game 1 Thunder win to Oklahoma City on bombing’s 31st anniversary

OKLAHOMA CITY — On the 31-year anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-84 win against the Phoenix Suns to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-7 series. The Thunder strengten its case as favorites to win back-to-back titles.

However, winning on April 19 wasn’t lost on Gilgeous-Alexander, who addressed the significance of the Thunder victory on the anniversary of the most tragic day in Oklahoma City history.

“It’s huge for the city. And it’s so much bigger than just a basketball game [for the] people in the city that were affected, the people that were affected after the bombing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Everyone that comes to the organization goes and visits the museum. It’s pretty heavy. That’s [on] the top of everyone’s mind in Oklahoma waking up this morning. And we just to go out there, compete, give them a show; and take their minds off the tragedy.

“And give them something to be happy about today. Nonetheless, it’s created the character and the power in this city, and we rode of that for sure with the crowd.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander addresses the significance of a Thunder playoff win on the 31-year anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing: “That’s on top of everyone’s minds waking up in Oklahoma this morning. We just try to go out there and compete.

Give them a show to take their… pic.twitter.com/1XcEo8Sqge

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) April 19, 2026

Jalen Williams also adressed how extra meaningful it was to take a 1-0 lead on Sunday.

“It’s special. Obviously, we had that in the back of our minds today,” Williams said. “It just speaks to the city. When you have something like that happen, time doesn’t really heal it all the way. And I think how hard we play and just how much we mean to the city, and how much the city means to us, I think that bond brings everybody really close. You can kind of feel a little more sense of urgency, and a little more want to win from the fans today.

“So, we’re happy to give that to them. This is just one of those moments that brings us closer together, and it just kind of shows what the city is built on.”

Gilgeous-Alexander with 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Williams finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists against the Suns.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong take on Thunder’s Jalen Williams

All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stressed the importance of Thunder’s Jalen Willliams to the defending champions’ quest to win back-to-back titles. For Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams is playing some of the best basketball he’s seen out of the starting forward since his return from a hamstring injury.

“We’re the best version of ourselves when he’s the best version of himself,” Gilgeous-Alexander. “So, we gotta make sure he stays there. Myself, coach, other ball handlers have to make sure he’s in rhythm.”

The Thunder will look to replicate Sunday’s outcome against the Suns in Game 2 on Wednesday.

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