The Oklahoma City Thunder secured another impressive victory, this time against the NBA-leading Boston Celtics, with a 127-123 win on Tuesday night. This triumph marks their fifth consecutive win and adds to their impressive run of eight wins in the last nine games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 36 points, crucial in overcoming a strong Celtics team. The Thunder’s recent performances have been noteworthy, with victories against top teams, including the defending champion Denver Nuggets, ending the Los Angeles Clippers’ nine-game winning streak, and overcoming the Western Conference leader Minnesota Timberwolves.
The game against the Celtics proved to be a challenging encounter. The Thunder saw their 18-point fourth-quarter lead reduced to two points before securing the win. Coach Mark Daigneault praised the team’s resilience, acknowledging they had to withstand some tough moments in the game.
“I thought we were pretty resilient tonight,” Daigneault said. “I thought we took some punches.”
Josh Giddey contributed significantly with 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Chet Holmgren also added to the Thunder’s success with 14 points, seven assists, and four blocks. Entering the game with the fourth-best record in the league, the Thunder’s performance was a testament to their growing strength.
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The Celtics, led by Kristaps Porzingis with 34 points and Jayson Tatum with 30, had been on a winning streak, capturing six straight victories and 11 out of the last 12 games. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the intensity of the matchup, which he anticipated would be decided in the final moments.
“I thought it was two great teams,” Mazzulla said. “The game went about how I thought it would go as far as it coming down to the last couple of possessions.”
Boston held a narrow lead at halftime, buoyed by Porzingis’ 18 points, while Gilgeous-Alexander kept the Thunder close with 17 points. The Thunder gained momentum in the second half, taking a 12-point lead into the final quarter.
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The Celtics mounted a comeback late in the game, but the Thunder managed to hold them off with key plays. Gilgeous-Alexander’s crucial free throws in the final seconds, amidst MVP chants from the crowd, sealed the win for Oklahoma City.
“Opened up a nice lead in the fourth quarter and they kept coming,” Daigneault said. “They’re obviously a really talented team. I thought we were a little sloppy on both ends of the floor trying to slam the door on that game, but then made big plays down the stretch and executed with poise.”
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to host the Utah Jazz on Friday, while the Thunder will travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
