Thunder top Celtics for franchise-record 15th-straight win, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance with 33 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive 105-92 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
With this win, the Thunder improved their record to 30-5, showcasing a remarkable streak that has seen them go undefeated in games that count since December 1. The only blemish on their recent success was a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup final, which does not affect their standings.
Jayson Tatum contributed significantly for the Celtics, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown added 21 points but struggled in the second half, failing to score on 0-for-7 shooting.
Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone early, netting nine points within the first 3.5 minutes, allowing the Thunder to seize an early advantage. However, the Celtics rallied back to lead 65-55 at halftime.
The Thunder showcased their resilience by narrowing the gap to 80-76 by the end of the third quarter. They regained the lead at 81-80 after Jalen Williams sank two crucial free throws early in the fourth quarter.
Maintaining their momentum, the Thunder pulled away with back-to-back three-pointers from Lu Dort, extending their lead to 100-88 with under two minutes remaining. Dort finished with 11 points, hitting all three of his attempts from long range in the final quarter.
Takeaways
Celtics: Boston’s reliance on three-point shooting remains a double-edged sword, as evidenced by their struggles on the perimeter. The Celtics managed to convert only 9 of 46 attempts from beyond the arc.
Thunder: Oklahoma City’s tenacity shone through once again, as they refused to back down after trailing by double digits. They outscored the Celtics 29-12 in the fourth quarter, demonstrating their ability to thrive under pressure.
Key moment
A pivotal play occurred when Gilgeous-Alexander executed a crossover on Holiday, followed by a three-pointer that pushed the Thunder ahead 92-85 midway through the fourth quarter.
Key stat
Oklahoma City’s defensive prowess was on full display as they held Boston to a season-low 27 points in the second half, a significant drop from the Celtics’ previous low of 44.
Up Next
Celtics: They will face off against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.
Thunder: Oklahoma City heads to Cleveland for their matchup on Wednesday night.
