BOSTON (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their playoff berth on Wednesday night, defeating the Boston Celtics 118-112 at TD Garden. The victory not only marked the Thunder's sweep of the season series against the defending champions but also solidified their potency as contenders with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge with 34 points.
Chet Holmgren contributed significantly, recording 23 points and 15 rebounds, showcasing the power of Oklahoma City's young lineup. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum did his best to keep the Celtics competitive with 33 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.
The Celtics came out firing from beyond the arc, attempting 36 three-pointers in the first half alone, which set a franchise record. By the end of the game, they had launched 63 three-point attempts, tying for the third-most any team has ever taken in NBA history. Despite this overwhelming offensive strategy, they struggled with accuracy and finished just 20 for 63, reflecting a 31.7% shooting rate from deep.
"The Celtics attempted 22 3-pointers and just two shots from inside the arc in the first quarter," noted game commentators, emphasizing the drastic focus on outside shooting. The game was competitive throughout, with the Thunder building up to a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter before the Celtics rallied to tie it 88-all entering the fourth.
Key moments defined the game's final stretch. With the score tied at 98 and just over eight minutes remaining, Kenrich Williams landed a pivotal three-pointer, propelling the Thunder on an 8-0 run. The C's failed to recover, culminating their five-game winning streak.
Celtics' coach Joe Mazzulla had to navigate his team through challenging stretches. Notably, Jaylen Brown had difficulty finding his rhythm, scoring only 10 points on 5-for-15 shooting before fouling out late.
"Despite the loss, the Celtics were energized by their previous victories, including wins over heavyweights like the Lakers and the Cavaliers," said analysts after the game. But on this night, they could not find the offensive consistency needed against Oklahoma City's dynamic defense.
The Thunder controlled the game not only with offensive outbursts but also through their ability to draw fouls, converting 25 out of 35 free-throw attempts, compared to Boston's 10-for-12 performance at the line. This disparity allowed Oklahoma City to stretch their leads at pivotal points, demonstrating their readiness for the playoff push.
"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed why he is viewed as one of the foremost MVP candidates," analysts remarked, highlighting his composed gameplay and leadership over the Thunder squad. His ability to leverage scoring opportunities made all the difference on the court.
For the Celtics, the focus extends beyond the immediate loss; as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Miami, key players must shake off the night’s struggles and recover. The absence of Kristaps Porziņģis due to illness may have hindered their performance, and his presence will undoubtedly be felt when he returns.
Both teams are primed for potential playoff collisions; the Thunder’s adaptability will be tested as they confront opponents anew, and for the Celtics, consistency becomes the name of the game. Analysts speculate this might have been just a prelude to what could very well be their upcoming Finals matchup this June.
"It’s important to recognize something significant here -- Oklahoma City has now captured the echelons of being seen as the biggest threats to Boston’s title defense," concluded ESPN insiders, underscoring the riveting narrative building as the postseason approaches.