Thunderbirds Soar Again: Wagoner Drops 35 in 97-87 Game 2 Win Over Chaos
PHOENIX (AP) – In front of a boisterous, capacity crowd of 19,023 at Pinnacle West Arena, the Arizona Thunderbirds seized a firm 2-0 lead in the 2037 OBWL Finals, overpowering the Los Angeles Chaos 97-87 in a hard-fought, bruising Game 2. The spotlight shone brightest on Arizona’s dominant forward Doyle Wagoner, who exploded for 35 points and 11 rebounds, putting on a clinic in postseason excellence.
Wagoner was unyielding from the opening whistle, muscling his way to the basket and sinking mid-range shots with pinpoint accuracy. His 13-of-28 performance from the field served as the offensive catalyst Arizona needed to hold off the Chaos, particularly as the contest grew tighter in the second half.
But it wasn’t just Wagoner doing the heavy lifting. Matthew Flint, the Game 1 hero, turned in another blue-collar performance, grabbing a career playoff-high 15 rebounds, including a staggering 9 offensive boards that gave the Thunderbirds second-chance opportunities all night long. Flint’s hustle on the glass was a dagger in the heart of a Chaos team that struggled to control the paint.
The Thunderbirds’ backcourt also came alive, with John Bigler pouring in 20 points on a sizzling 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. Point guard Manuel Hendershot added 14 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision.
For Los Angeles, the night was defined by frustration and missed opportunities. Star center Raymond Lindstrom, who entered the game averaging 28.8 points per game in the postseason, was shackled by early foul trouble and limited to just 14 minutes, finishing with a quiet 7 points on 2-of-9 shooting. Without their interior anchor, the Chaos struggled to find rhythm on either end of the floor.
Despite a valiant effort from Brandon Wells (16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and Raimundo Vazquez (15 points, 8 rebounds), the Chaos shot just 39.8% from the field and a dismal 18.2% from three-point range. Their 20 turnovers only added to the misery, as Arizona capitalized with fast breaks and timely buckets.
The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, were efficient and balanced, shooting 45% from beyond the arc and winning the rebounding battle 51-48, including a crucial 19 offensive rebounds that kept possessions alive and the crowd on its feet.
As the series shifts to Los Angeles for the next three games at MGM Action Arena, the Chaos will need to regroup quickly. They’ve been strong at home this postseason (6-2), but with Arizona firing on all cylinders and Wagoner playing like a man possessed, the road to a championship just got a lot steeper.
Player of the Game: Doyle Wagoner – 35 points, 11 rebounds, 8-of-10 from the line
The Thunderbirds are two wins away from their fifth OBWL title in franchise history. The Chaos, meanwhile, are searching for answers—and hoping their star center can stay on the floor long enough to provide them.