Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-112 victory over the Boston Celtics, securing their spot in the playoffs. The game was a potential preview of the NBA Finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander, a favorite for the MVP award, had a stellar performance, shooting 11-of-20 from the field and adding five rebounds and seven assists. His 34 points included 10 made free throws.
The win improved Oklahoma City’s record to 54-12 for the season, clinching their spot in the playoffs. Despite being the youngest team in the league, the Thunder showed maturity in defeating the more experienced Celtics.
In the fourth quarter, the Thunder pulled away late to secure the win, with key plays from Cason Wallace and a strong defensive effort against Boston’s three-point attempts.
Chet Holmgren also had a standout game for Oklahoma City, contributing a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander praised his teammate, noting Holmgren’s talent and potential for greatness.
On the Celtics side, Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 33 points, while Derrick White added 22. Despite missing a key player, the Thunder had seven players score in double figures against Boston.
The victory for Oklahoma City marks another step towards their goal of winning an NBA title, a feat they last achieved in 1979 when the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
