The Oklahoma City Thunder have made history by achieving their franchise-record 15th consecutive victory, triumphing over the Boston Celtics 105-92 on January 7, 2024. This remarkable feat places the Thunder firmly at the top of the Western Conference, following their last loss on December 1, which was against the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA Cup finals, a game not counted against their regular season record.
Leading the charge for the Thunder was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who delivered an impressive performance with 33 points and 11 rebounds. His ability to dominate the court early on helped set the tone for the game, as he scored nine points within the first three and half minutes. The Thunder took control initially but faced fierce resistance from the Celtics, who rallied back to lead 65-55 at halftime.
The Thunder found themselves needing to regroup, especially as they entered the fourth quarter trailing at 80-76. They demonstrated their trademark grit and teamwork to claw back, first regaining the lead at 81-80, thanks to free throws by Jalen Williams. Lu Dort's pivotal back-to-back 3-point shots widened the gap to 100-88, putting the Thunder comfortably ahead with under two minutes left to play.
The Celtics, who were having their struggles, relied on star Jayson Tatum, who scored 26 points and secured 10 rebounds. Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points but faced difficulties, finishing with no points during the second half after going 0-for-7 from the field. The fourth quarter proved particularly challenging for Boston's offense, as they only managed to shoot 20% from the field, which marked their lowest shooting percentage since Joe Mazzulla became head coach.
The Thunder's success has been attributed not only to individual star performances but also to effective strategic execution and stellar defense, especially during the closing moments against formidable opponents like the Celtics. Their ability to adapt and maintain composure during high-pressure situations has been key to this winning streak.
Ranked first overall with 30 wins against only five losses, Oklahoma City has showcased their prowess throughout the season. Their balanced offensive and defensive statistics underline their effectiveness; they average 115.4 points per game and have one of the top-rated defensive units. They demonstrated this against Boston, fittingly closing the game with solid defense and offensive execution.
The Thunder's impressive winning streak has not only clinched them top standings but has also instilled confidence as they look toward future matchups. The team benefits significantly from the exponential growth displayed by their key assets, namely Gilgeous-Alexander, who seems to thrive under pressure, consistently delivering clutch performances.
Next on the schedule for the Thunder will be more challenging games where they are expected to keep their winning momentum. Fans are undoubtedly excited to watch how this season continues to pan out for Oklahoma City as they aim high, both for individual accolades and potential playoff success.
This meeting against the Celtics could be seen not just as another fixture but as part of the larger narrative of the Thunder attempting to make their mark on NBA history this season, following up on what has clearly become their year. Whether they can keep this streak alive against various opponents will be the true test of their mettle, but for now, they stand as the hottest team in the league, basking in the glory of their historic win streak.