The Oklahoma City Thunder’s remarkable 12-game winning streak came to a screeching halt in Boston on Wednesday night, as the Celtics rallied from an early double-digit deficit to claim a 119-109 victory in a matchup that had all the makings of a potential NBA Finals preview. The defeat snapped the Thunder’s league-best run and marked only their 17th loss of the season, but the night was about more than just the final score—it was about health, comebacks, and the high-stakes chess match between two of the league’s elite.
All eyes were on Jalen Williams, the Thunder’s dynamic forward, who recently made his much-anticipated return after missing 16 games due to a nagging hamstring injury and a surgically repaired right wrist. Williams, who described his wrist during recovery as feeling like “a piece of Laffy Taffy that was put in the freezer, and then trying to bend it,” had been sidelined for most of the 2025-26 campaign. But after nine months of relentless rehab, he now insists, “my wrist has felt better than it ever has.” That’s music to the ears of Thunder fans who watched him gut through last year’s playoffs in obvious pain, even as he poured in 23.6 points per game during the championship round and dropped 40 in a pivotal Game 5 win.
With Williams back, the Thunder hoped to bring a fully healthy roster into the postseason—something they lacked during last year’s title run. But progress, as head coach Mark Daigneault reminded everyone, isn’t always linear. “I thought he obviously didn’t shoot it great, but he continues to have pop and be in good shape,” Daigneault said after Wednesday’s loss. “He’s guarding their top guys in his minutes, and I thought he did a pretty good job there. It’s not going to be linear, but we’re happy to have him back. We can get him in some of these games and get him back acclimated. He’s played high-level games for a young player, so I’m really not worried about the performance as much as I am just getting him out there, getting his feet wet again and getting him ready to go as we ramp up towards the playoffs.”
Williams finished with seven points, three rebounds, and three assists in 24 minutes, shooting just 2-for-9 from the field and missing all three of his attempts from deep. It was a far cry from his 18-point, six-assist, four-rebound performance on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, his first game back, when he shot an impressive 57.1% in only 20 minutes. But with just 28 games played this season, Williams is still finding his rhythm both individually and within a Thunder rotation that has thrived in his absence.
Meanwhile, the Celtics were led by an inspired Jaylen Brown, who poured in 31 points, including 14 in a pivotal third quarter, and added eight rebounds and eight assists in 39 minutes of action. Jayson Tatum, still working his way back from a torn Achilles that cost him the first 62 games of the season, looked every bit the All-NBA force he’s been in years past. Tatum contributed 19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, and even swatted away a Lu Dort layup for his first block of the season. “It’s special,” Williams said of Tatum’s comeback. “First off, hopefully he stays completely healthy throughout the whole rest of the season and so on and so forth. It’s dope to see him come back and be able to play. He’s not like all the way there yet, and I’m pretty sure he’d probably agree to that. But it’s impressive to have that injury and see the way he’s moving. The way he’s still able to get his shot off and move around is good to see. When you have somebody who’s that caliber of a player, you want to see them on the court. It’s dope that he gets to do that. He looked very good, and he’ll only get better.”
The Thunder jumped out to a commanding 13-point lead in the first quarter, but the Celtics responded with a 29-15 surge in the second, taking their first lead at 49-46. By the end of the third, Boston held an 88-83 advantage, and their edge grew as high as 14 in the fourth. Oklahoma City fought back to within six with 1:30 left, but clutch plays from Brown and Derrick White sealed the win for Boston. The Celtics, still missing Nikola Vucevic due to a broken finger, dominated the glass and outscored the Thunder 19-2 in second-chance points—a stat that proved decisive.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s superstar guard, continued his historic run of scoring at least 20 points in 133 straight games—the longest such streak in NBA history. He finished with 33 points on a blistering 83.3% shooting (10-for-12 from the field, 3-for-4 from three, and 10-for-12 from the line) along with eight assists. “Honestly, I just go out there and play basketball,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I let the game tell me what to do. If they’re heavy loading off somebody, I pass it. If there’s room to go play, I go play and try to make a play. It’s as simple as that for me. I just go out there, trust my work and let the game tell me what to do.”
Lu Dort added 14 points for Oklahoma City, but the team shot just 12-of-37 from beyond the arc and couldn’t overcome Boston’s relentless rebounding and physicality. The Thunder’s supporting cast, including Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, provided defensive presence but struggled to keep Boston off the boards.
For the Celtics, this win was more than just a morale boost—it was a statement. After falling to Oklahoma City by two points in their previous meeting two weeks earlier, Boston evened the season series and showed they’re rounding into form at the right time. The victory also underscored the importance of health and depth as the playoffs loom.
The Thunder, now 57-16, return home for a five-game stand with nine contests remaining before the postseason begins on April 18. They’ll use this stretch to get Williams fully reintegrated and to fine-tune their rotation for another deep run. Oklahoma City’s head coach and players remain optimistic, knowing that a healthy Williams could be the X-factor in their quest to defend their NBA crown.
Boston, meanwhile, hosts Atlanta next, with Tatum and Brown showing signs they’re ready to lead another title charge. As for the Thunder, the loss might sting, but with their All-Star forward on the mend and the best record in the West, they’re still very much the team to watch as the regular season winds down.