With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the free-throw line, Westbrook's entrance usurped the MVP chants into a standing ovation. Since being traded in 2019, OKC crowds have always given the former MVP winner an ovation. But doing it in the playoffs rubbed some folks the wrong way.

Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder had a message to deliver two nights after a Game 1 meltdown. It was an emphatic one. SGA scored a game-high 34 points on 11-for-13 shooting and the Thunder evened up their second-round NBA playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 149-106 beatdown Wednesday night at Paycom Center.

After a Game 1 loss at home, OKC responded with a historic first half and cruised to victory behind SGA's "unbelievable blend."