The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 on Saturday to complete the sweep and advance to the second round.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a game-high and playoff career-high 38 points while also posting five rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
"I didn't feel like my mindset was any different," Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame, according to The Associated Press' Clay Bailey. "Every night, I step on the floor to be the best version of myself. I hadn't been in the past (games), but tonight, I was pretty close to it. I think because I kept the same mindset, it allowed me to just play free."
Thunder third-year player Jalen Williams put up 23 points Saturday and averaged 23 per game on 54% shooting during the series.
"He's an evolved player," head coach Mark Daigneault said about Williams, according to Thunder reporter Nick Gallo. "He's a year older, and a year is a long time when you're in your third year. It's a third of his career. So guys can get a lot better year over year."
The Grizzlies were without star Ja Morant for the series-deciding contest as he was sidelined with a hip contusion he suffered in Game 3.
Memphis made the game interesting down the stretch but ultimately fell short. Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed a team-high 30 points, while Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama added 23 each.
"On a playoff stage with playoff pressure, we executed really well late in this one," Daigneault said.
He added: "Once it tightened up, everything from defensive execution, clock management, the fouling up three, the block out on the free throw, was all very positive."
The Thunder are the first team to advance to the second round after winning a franchise-record and NBA-best 68 games.
Oklahoma City will take on the winner of the Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Clippers series.
