On January 6th, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game, the Thunder staged a comeback at home to defeat the defending champions. In the final quarter, they outscored the Celtics 29-12, successfully defending their home court and achieving a record-breaking 15-game winning streak; the Thunder firmly occupy first place in the West, having consecutively defeated Eastern powerhouses like the Knicks and Celtics, showcasing their championship potential with this impressive streak.
During the home game against the reigning champions, the Thunder trailed by 10 points in the first half with a score of 55-65. However, in the second half, they launched a furious counterattack, narrowing the gap to 4 points in the third quarter with a score of 21-15. In the final quarter, they overwhelmed the Celtics on both offense and defense with a 29-12 run. During this period, Alexander chased down Tatum for a massive block and then assisted Hartenstein in a thunderous dunk over White. Dort contributed by hitting multiple three-pointers from outside, providing crucial firepower. Ultimately, the Thunder completed a remarkable comeback, defeating the Celtics 105-92.
Alexander had an outstanding game, shooting 11 for 23 to score 33 points, grab 11 rebounds, dish out 6 assists, make 3 steals, and block 2 shots, with a +12 plus-minus rating. Alexander once again demonstrated an MVP-level performance, both offensively and defensively, leading his team to victory and extending their winning streak. This marks the 20th time this season that Alexander has scored at least 30 points in a single game, leading the league in such statistics.
In the past two games, the Thunder scored a total of 66 points in the final quarter while holding the Knicks and Celtics to just 31 points combined. The Thunder's 15-game winning streak has sparked intense discussion, with commentator Perkins tweeting: "SGA didn't lie. He said he wanted to compete with the reigning champions, and he performed exceptionally well, doing what a superstar should do: leading the team, protecting their home court, and becoming the best player on the field today. This is the Thunder's best win of the season."
The Thunder's 15-game winning streak solidifies their position at the top of the Western Conference. This season, they have the best defensive efficiency in the league and also lead in net efficiency, achieving these feats even with Chet Holmgren sidelined due to injury.
The Thunder set several records in this game:
- By reversing the Celtics, the Thunder achieved a 15-game winning streak, refreshing the longest active winning streak in the league.
- The Thunder's 15-game winning streak is a new franchise record.
- This season, the Thunder's record against Eastern Conference teams stands at 11 wins and 0 losses, maintaining their undefeated status.
- In the second half, the Thunder held the Celtics to only 27 points, setting a new low for the Celtics' half-time scoring this season.
Currently, with a record of 30 wins and 5 losses, the Thunder are firmly in first place in the West. Their next game will be against the Cavaliers, who are on a 9-game winning streak (30 wins and 4 losses), setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash between the top teams in the East and West.