Thunder Make History: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops 40 as OKC Notches 10th Straight Win

Thunder Extend Historic Run as Shai Shines with 40

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a 40-point performance, guiding his team to a 113-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday despite a health scare that briefly threatened his participation. He added six rebounds and six assists as OKC stretched its winning streak to 10 games, a run that has helped propel them to an 18-1 start—one of the most arresting opening stretches in NBA history.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been listed as questionable entering the game due to an illness, proved his resilience by fueling the late push and helping the Thunder remain among the league’s elite. The win keeps Oklahoma City undefeated at home and places them in select company with a start of 18-1 or better, a distinction shared by only a handful of teams in the annals of NBA history.

“We take things day by day, challenge by challenge. No matter what, we find a way to win, and I’m impressed by this group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game.

Edwards provided a late duel, finishing with 31 points for Minnesota, who trailed for most of the night. He knocked down a three with about a minute remaining to cut the gap to 105-104, yet Oklahoma City answered with a timely sequence that included a three from Shai’s side and a pair of late free throws to seal the victory.

As for his health, Gilgeous-Alexander noted he’s tired but optimistic for Thanksgiving, planning to enjoy a big meal and recharge for the stretch run. The Canadian star also spoke about the group’s spirit and determination to stay locked in for every moment of the season’s grind.

With the win, OKC remained unbeaten at home and moved to 3-0 in the Western Conference’s midseason tournament group play, with the group stage wrapping up on Friday as teams chase a path into the knockout rounds. The Thunder’s balance and poise continue to stand out in a season where they compete as a true title hopeful.

Pistons Fall in Crunch Time; Raptors, Lakers Clinch Group Titles as Cup Draws Near

In Boston, Detroit’s 13-game win streak in the regular season run ended in a 117-114 defeat to the Celtics, as Cade Cunningham’s 42-point night wasn’t enough to topple Boston. Jayson Tatum led Boston with a 33-point night, supported by Derrick White’s 27 as the Celtics pushed forward ahead of Thanksgiving. The result left Detroit still chasing consistency as the calendar turns toward the holiday season.

The NBA Cup slate across Wednesday’s schedule also produced notable moments. The Toronto Raptors clinched Group A with a 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers, a win highlighted by Brandon Ingram leading Toronto with 26 points and a late decision that tipped the game in the Raptors’ favor. In the Western Conference, the Lakers claimed Group B, illustrating the depth and drama of the midseason tournament.

As the group stage conclusions approach on Friday, the trio of group winners will be joined by one wild-card squad from each conference to advance to the knockout rounds, which begin December 9. The mixture of high-end talent and playoff-like urgency continues to shape a season that’s already delivering edge-of-seat moments across the league.

Meanwhile, Miami’s Heat pushed their winning streak to six with a 106-103 home victory over Milwaukee, as Tyler Herro poured in 29 points and Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 11 rebounds, keeping Miami firmly in the mix as Thanksgiving nears. These results reflect a season that’s full of clusters of talent, late-game drama, and a sense that every game now feels consequential.

In summary, Oklahoma City’s historic start keeps rolling, the midseason Cup adds an extra layer of intrigue, and the league continues to offer a blend of individual brilliance, team resilience, and the occasional reminder that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to thank a few players for keeping the clock ticking with style.

Punchline 1: If the Thunder keep this up, their winning streak will have more sequels than a Friday night TV marathon. Punchline 2: Shai’s jumper is so smooth, even the popcorn in the arena stays perfectly popped—calibrated for maximum crunch-time, obviously.