OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder made history as they forged their way to the franchise's longest winning streak, defeating the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics 105-92 at Paycom Center. With this victory on January 7, 2024, the Thunder marked their fifteenth consecutive win of the season, improving to 30-5 overall.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tweeted his impressive stats, recording 33 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, showcasing why he is considered an MVP candidate this season. The game was far from easy for Oklahoma City. The Celtics had high hopes, temporarily leading by as much as 13 points before halftime, driven by their impressive play during the first two quarters. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were instrumental for Boston, contributing 26 and 21 points, respectively, during the game.
The first half saw the Celtics establish control, utilizing their double-big lineup to physically dominate the Thunder early on, as they emerged with a 65-55 lead at halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander, who started strong with nine points within the first three and half minutes, helped set the tone for the Thunder's offense. Despite their initial lead, Oklahoma City had to claw back against the tenacious Celtics, who relied heavily on their shooting prowess.
Boston showcased their offensive skills, but it came crashing down as the game progressed. They struggled significantly with their three-point shooting, finishing the game with just 9-for-46 (19.6 percent) from beyond the arc, with only three successful shots made in the second half. This poor shooting performance faltered any momentum they attempted to build, especially as they scored only 27 points collectively after halftime.
The third quarter appeared promising for Boston, hanging onto their 80-76 lead by the end of the period. Yet, the Thunder had quietly regrouped, steadily pushing back. At halftime, the Thunder shook off their early woes and adjusted their game strategy to counter Boston's interior size and sharpshooting.
Oklahoma City's defense played a pivotal role during the final two quarters of the game. The Thunder managed to stifle the Celtics, restricting them to merely 15 points during the third quarter, which paved the way for their fourth-quarter surge. The Thunder imposed their will defensively, producing significant turnovers and leading to fast break opportunities as they outscored Boston 29-12 during the final frame.
The defining moment of the game came when Gilgeous-Alexander made an electrifying shot, crossing over his defender and draining a three-pointer from the top of the arc to assume the lead at 92-85 with just under five minutes remaining. The energy of the home crowd erupted as the Thunder displayed their resilience by not only overcoming the deficit, but dominating the final period. Lu Dort hit back-to-back three-pointers, and his overall performance was commendable, finishing with 14 points and three shots made from beyond the arc.
Head coach Mark Daigneault praised the team’s defensive pressure, stating, "Our defensive intensity fluctuated throughout the game, but when it mattered most, we stepped it up. By holding them to 27 points in the second half, we showed what we are capable of. Our focus was on defense, and it produced results."
Player performance deserved emphasis as well. The Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein also made his presence felt on both sides of the court, finishing with eight points, ten rebounds, two assists, and making two steals. Aaron Wiggins rounded out the supporting efforts by contributing 15 points after stepping up his play at several pivotal moments throughout the game.
Conversely, the Celtics faced their struggles on both sides of the ball. After what appeared to be their chance at securing victory, they succumbed to the unwavering Thunder defense and can ask themselves several questions about their performance. Coach Joe Mazzulla remarked, "We had the lead, we thought we could control the game, but the Thunder simply executed their game plan far more effectively than we did down the stretch. We have to learn from this experience."
With their latest win, the Thunder have solidified their stance as one of the top teams not only within the Western Conference but throughout the league. The Celtics, now sitting at 26-10, will look to bounce back as they continue their road trip, facing the Denver Nuggets next on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Thunder are set for their next challenge against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This latest achievement for Oklahoma City reflects more than just numbers on paper; it's indicative of the growth and perseverance of this young team, increasingly gelling on the court. The NBA is currently observing the emergence of the Thunder as serious contenders, and as they continue their winning streak, the excitement surrounding their potential playoff success builds.
For now, Oklahoma City can celebrate the thrill of this historic streak as they prepare to gear up for the challenging road trip awaiting them with renewed momentum.