- The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Boston Celtics, ending their 14-game win streak and solidifying their position at the top of the Western Conference
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with an impressive stat line of 33 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks
- The Celtics struggled with consistency and execution, shooting a season-worst 19.6% from 3-point range and committing costly turnovers
- The Thunder’s defense was instrumental in their win, tightening up in the second half and limiting the Celtics’ scoring opportunities
- The loss drops the Celtics to a 26-10 record, while the Thunder improves to 30-5 and sets their sights on extending their win streak against the Cleveland Cavaliers
Key Takeaways:
The highly anticipated matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder did not disappoint, with the Thunder emerging victorious and extending their dominance in the Western Conference. The game was a back-and-forth affair in the first half, with both teams showcasing their offensive firepower. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated for the Thunder. However, the Celtics’ 10-point lead at halftime was short-lived, as the Thunder came out strong in the third quarter and tightened up their defense.
Protected home court‼️ pic.twitter.com/2a1ErfVicv
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 5, 2025
The Celtics struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, shooting poorly from the field and committing costly turnovers. Their season-worst 19.6% shooting from 3-point range was a major factor in their loss, as they were unable to stretch the Thunder’s defense and create scoring opportunities. Gilgeous-Alexander, on the other hand, continued his stellar play, finishing with an impressive stat line that highlighted his all-around skills.
Despite a late push from the Celtics, led by Tatum and Brown, the Thunder pulled away in the fourth quarter and secured the win. The game highlighted the Thunder’s dominance and defensive prowess, as well as the Celtics’ struggles to maintain consistency and execute in crucial moments. The Thunder’s win improves their record to 30-5, solidifying their position at the top of the Western Conference. They will look to extend their win streak against the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Celtics will aim to bounce back against the Denver Nuggets and 3-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic.