Thunder stretch their magic: 13th straight win as Celtics surge past Knicks

Thunder extend their win streak with a 124-112 win over Warriors

The Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champions, delivered a strong performance against the Golden State Warriors to stretch their winning streak to 13 games. The 124-112 victory on Tuesday kept OKC atop the Western Conference and solidified their status as the league’s hottest team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s MVP frontrunner, dominated with 38 points, four assists and three rebounds, once again proving why he is the centerpiece of the Thunder’s surge. His performance helped push the defending champs to a 21-1 record at the top of the West and the NBA’s overall pace.

OKC looked set for a blowout, finishing the first half with a 63-44 edge at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors, missing veteran Stephen Curry (37) due to injury, also saw veteran teammate Jimmy Butler leave the game with an injury at the end of the first half, adding to Golden State’s woes.

Golden State flared in the third quarter, scoring 44 points to slice the deficit to three (88-91) and even briefly led early in the fourth. Oklahoma City steadied the ship, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren combining for a late 16-point burst that sealed the win and kept the Thunder unbeaten in regulation since their first defeat of the season on November 5 against Portland.

Gilgeous-Alexander stated after the game, “Each night brings a different challenge. Sometimes we win big, sometimes we have to grind it out. We stayed with it and did what was needed to secure the victory.” Holmgren finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Jalen Williams added 22 points and four assists for OKC.

For Golden State, the night highlighted the mismatch of injuries and depth: Branden Podziemski and Patrick Spencer led the Warriors with 17 points apiece, while Seth Curry (brother of Stephen) contributed 14. Draymond Green chipped in 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists, but the rally fell short as OKC closed out the night strong.

Celts rally to beat Knicks as Brown shines with 42

In Boston, the Celtics continued their steady climb with a 123-117 comeback win over the New York Knicks. Jaylen Brown poured in 42 points to pace a late surge that turned a 14-point deficit early in the second quarter into a decisive win at TD Garden.

The Celtics, still adjusting to a renewed lineup, trailed at halftime (58-52) but flipped the script in the third and fourth quarters, outscoring New York by a wide margin to secure the second win in 21 games and push their momentum forward.

Brown’s heroics were complemented by a strong second-quarter showing that kept Boston within striking distance, while the Knicks received 35 points from Mikal Bridges, 29 from Karl-Anthony Towns, and 14 from Seth Curry’s younger brother, with Julius Randle notching notable production as well. The Celtics’ defense tightened late, and Boston held on despite a late Knicks push.

Brad Stevens’ squad emphasized teamwork and growth with several new faces contributing, and Brown’s leadership was the difference-maker in a high-energy, back-and-forth affair that had fans buzzing as the clock wound down.

In other action, Anthony Edwards exploded for 44 points to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 149-142 overtime win at New Orleans, while San Antonio Spurs, missing Victor Wembanyama, beat the Memphis Grizzlies 126-119 to climb to the Western Conference’s fourth spot. The Spurs’ Harrison Barnes led with 31 points, De’Aaron Fox added 29, and Dylan Harper chipped in 15 in the absence of their star rookie.

Postgame updates from San Antonio noted Mitch Johnson’s optimism about getting his key players back soon for a schedule that includes a trip to Cleveland and a date with New Orleans, with a potential return to Los Angeles on the horizon for a critical upcoming matchup.

As the night wrapped, the league’s usual balance of thunder and thunderous comebacks offered a reminder: in basketball, tempo and grit often beat pure hype. And if you’re betting on the next big highlight, remember: the ball finds the best players when the clock is hottest.

Punchline time: If the season were a dating app, the Thunder would have “Top Pick” as their status, because they keep swiping right on win after win. Sniper’s note: The only thing sharper than a three-pointer is a headline that makes you click—tonight’s is a classic. Sniper’s second line: In the NBA, your fantasy team might be there for the ride, but the real ride is watching 48 minutes of plays with a side of popcorn and mild chaos.