The Oklahoma City Thunder officially punched tickets to the NBA playoffs, earning an exciting 118-112 victory against reigning champion Boston Celtics. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who could be a preview of the NBA Finals, gave an MVP-worthy performance, dropping 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds to silence the crowd at TD Garden.
Shy Gilgaus Alexander leads the charges
The influence of Gilgeous-Alexander was felt throughout the game, but it was in the fourth quarter that he really shined. In the game on the line, the Thunder ran brilliantly and was pulled away thanks to a three-pointer on the clutch and an inverse layup from rookie guard Carson Wallace. Oklahoma City’s defensive discipline also played a key role. Because they kept Boston with 63 fires from across the arc despite their relentless attempts.
The new stars shine with playoff push
While Gilgeous-Alexander stole the spotlight, his teammate Chet Holmgren felt his presence with a dominant double double performance of 23 points and 15 rebounds. The 22-year-old big man showed off his versatility at both ends of the floor, providing a strong interior presence, contributing to the Thunder’s defensive success.
Boston’s Jason Tatum led the team with 33 points, while Derrick White added 22 points. However, the Celtics struggled to capitalize on the three-point shooting, allowing the young, hungry thunder squad to grab control in just a few minutes of shutdowns.
The victory will improve Oklahoma City towards a 54-12 record, securing a playoff position and solidifying itself as a serious championship contender. Thunder hasn’t won a title since his days as the Seattle Supersonics in 1979, but at this young core it could be on the crisis of something special.
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