The Thunder have won again, defeating the Knicks 117-107 in a remarkable comeback, securing their 14th consecutive victory and solidifying their position as the undisputed first in the Western Conference. Despite trailing by 14 points at one point, the Thunder managed to turn the game around, demonstrating the qualities of a true powerhouse team. This 14-game winning streak has set a new franchise record for the Thunder, surpassing the previous record of 13 consecutive wins held by their predecessor, the SuperSonics. The Thunder are truly championship contenders, possessing all the necessary components for a title run. Their core player, Alexander, is capable of leading the charge and is currently the second favorite for the MVP award, only behind Jokic.
Their frontline is bolstered by Holmgren and Hatton, while the wing positions are occupied by Jay, along with Caruso and Dort. Once Holmgren recovers from his injury, the Thunder will be unstoppable. Against the Knicks, the Thunder effectively showcased two key strengths. The first is their ability to deliver decisive blows, thanks to the supergiant Alexander. Hatton's dominance in the paint also left the Knicks in awe. They really didn't want to let Hatton go, but they had no choice.
Hatton's relentless rebounding and his playmaking abilities make him akin to a blue-collar version of Jokic. The game was indeed thrilling, with both teams locked in a stalemate in the first quarter. The Knicks' starting lineup, featuring Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby, and Towns, were in full swing, with Thibodeau heavily relying on these five players, maintaining an eight-man rotation. The Thunder, on the other hand, employed a conventional ten-man rotation, leading them to a three-point lead in the first quarter, with Alexander scoring 14 points to keep them afloat.
However, in the second quarter, the Knicks' short rotation advantage became apparent. Big Joe and Anunoby unleashed their firepower, quickly extending the lead to 10 points, and at one point, up to 14 points. The Thunder struggled offensively, scoring only 21 points in the quarter while the Knicks put up 36. At halftime, the Knicks led the Thunder by 12 points. In the second half, the Thunder fought back, with Jay taking charge and Hatton aggressively grabbing rebounds and facilitating plays, reducing the deficit to four points at one stage. Towns, Hart, and Anunoby responded in kind, and the Knicks still held an eight-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
As it seemed the Knicks were about to secure the win gradually, the Thunder exploded in the fourth quarter with a stunning offensive surge, outscoring the Knicks 37-19 to turn the deficit into a lead. Alexander and Wiggins went on a rampage, with Alexander being virtually unstoppable. In the final moments, Hatton sealed the deal against his former team with a decisive layup. In the game, Brunson scored 22 points, Towns had 12 points and 22 rebounds, Anunoby contributed 20 points, Hart added 19 points, and Bridges had 24 points. All five Knicks starters played over 40 minutes.
On the Thunder side, Alexander tallied 33 points and 7 assists, Hatton went 2 for 4, scoring 4 points with 14 rebounds and 7 assists, Wiggins had 19 points, and Jay contributed 20 points. No Thunder player logged more than 38 minutes. This is the fundamental difference between the Thunder and the Knicks; one relies heavily on their starters, while the other handles the game with ease. Analyzing the current Western Conference landscape, who can stop the Thunder? It must be said that the Clippers have truly changed the league's landscape. The failure of the original Thunder trio of Durant, Harden, and Westbrook was regrettable, but the Clippers have now provided the Thunder with a new trio.
Alexander and the Clippers' draft pick were acquired in the George trade, and the Thunder used this pick to secure Jay. Hatton was also discarded by the Clippers, meaning Alexander, Jay, and Hatton were all assisted by the Clippers. If the Thunder win the championship this year, they should extend their gratitude to Leonard. If not for Leonard's demand for the Clippers to go all-in for George, Alexander would not have joined the Thunder, nor would there be the formidable new trio of Thunder. With Holmgren, Jay, and Alexander, the West has almost no match for them. Whether it's the Celtics or the Cavaliers in the East, the Thunder have the capability to compete. If the Thunder claim the championship and reshape the league's new landscape, the Clippers wouldn't dare to touch their chopsticks at the victory banquet without being invited.