OKC Thunder Pull Off a Big Win Against Boston Celtics!
BOSTON — Yo, so check it out! The defending champs, the Boston Celtics, were really hoping to take down the Oklahoma City Thunder again, especially after a close game earlier in the season. But guess what? The Thunder pulled off another win on Wednesday, coming back strong in the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to seal the deal with a final score of 118-112. They showed some serious skill and maturity, proving they can hang with the best!
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was keeping it real though, reminding everyone it’s only March, not June. No need to get too ahead of themselves!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the superstar and MVP candidate, dropped his usual 34 points, along with 7 assists and 5 rebounds. He was pumped about this win, saying it feels special because it’s against a team that’s already proven themselves. “These games are always intense,” he added. “This is a true test for us.”
The Thunder were missing Jalen Williams due to a hip injury, but no worries! Chet Holmgren stepped up big time, scoring 23 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and blocking shots like a pro. He definitely made an impact, especially with Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis sitting out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shined in the game against the Celtics, leading the scoring efforts with 34 points. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
On Boston’s side, they were also missing one of their stars, Jaylen Brown. He tried to play but only managed to get 10 points on 15 attempts before fouling out. He admitted the Thunder’s tough D was a big challenge. “They set the physical tone,” Brown said. “I didn’t match that.”
The Celtics struggled to find their rhythm, especially in the first quarter when they didn’t score a single basket from inside the arc. They attempted a record 35 three-pointers in the first half and hit 20 of them (that’s only 32%, by the way). With the way Oklahoma played, the Celtics couldn’t find their groove, especially with big men like Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein lurking in the paint.
If Boston and OKC face off in the playoffs, the Celtics have some work to do! They cruised to the championship last year without Porzingis, who’s been out recently, and they’ll need him back if they want to defend their title. “We’ll feel a lot better when we have everyone back,” Tatum said. He kept Boston in the game with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
The upcoming playoffs are the ultimate goal for Boston, and they’re still the champs until someone knocks them off. The Thunder, however, have something to prove. Gilgeous-Alexander pointed out that what made the Celtics last season stand out is their confidence and focus on both ends of the court.
Tatum agreed, praising the Thunder’s style of play. “They know what they want to do, and they do it well,” he said.
The Thunder, now leading the Western Conference and clinching a playoff spot, still have room to grow. Last season they fell short in the second round, but Gilgeous-Alexander believes they’re a better squad now. Holmgren echoed that sentiment, adding that everyone worked hard to improve over the summer.
So, if poise and composure are the only concerns left for the Thunder, they showed they’ve got plenty of both in this game. Daigneault praised his team’s effort, saying it was a tough match but they stayed disciplined against a powerful Celtics team.
As for what’s next? Brown assured, “We’ll be ready.” Tatum added, “Let’s see when we get there.” The defending champs have plenty of work ahead, and Thunder made that point crystal clear.
