The Sixers trailed by 21 points after the first 9:30 of “action,” by 16 after one quarter and watched the Thunder hit 13 of their first 15 shots from the field. A very MVP-like 32 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 24 from Jaylin Williams eventually asserted the Thunder’s obvious superiority.

As a Kentucky who has followed his career since his high school recruitment, it is hard not to look at 7-foot, 245-pound Nick Richards like a proud parent. It took a few years for his potential to flourish at Kentucky,

In his three postseason appearances, Gilgeous-Alexander and his squad haven't progressed beyond the Conference Semifinals, which he reached in 2024 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gambling involves risk.