On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, the Knicks, with a record of 25 wins and 13 losses, faced off against the Thunder, who had 30 wins and 6 losses. This was the second meeting between the two teams this season. In their first encounter, the Thunder defeated the Knicks at home, ending the Knicks' nine-game winning streak. The Knicks were eager for revenge today. The Thunder lost to the Cavaliers in their previous game, ending their 15-game winning streak. They also hoped to bounce back. Both teams are very strong, so who would win today's game? The Knicks were without Miro, starting with Brunson, Bridges, Hart, OG, and Towns. The Thunder were missing Chet and Caruso, starting with Alexander, Wallace, Dort, Jalen, and Harten.
In the first quarter, both teams played with high defensive intensity in the first five minutes, making it difficult for either side to score. The Knicks only managed to score through Brunson's two free throws, while the Thunder scored through Jalen's layup, resulting in a 2-2 tie. Brunson and Hart then scored four points, giving the Knicks a 6-2 lead. Alexander responded with a mid-range jumper, reducing the gap to two points. After a timeout, Jalen and Dort scored five points, allowing the Thunder to take a three-point lead. Brunson scored five points in response, but Alexander and Isaiah Joe combined for five points, keeping the difference at three points. Hart and Towns scored, while Alexander continued to score, with Wiggins, Dort, and Isaiah Joe also contributing, extending the lead to 14 points. At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder led 31-17.
In the second quarter, Jalen scored with a layup, giving the Thunder a 16-point lead. McBride made a 2+1 play, but Isaiah Joe responded with a three-pointer, maintaining the 16-point gap. Payne and Achiuwa reduced the deficit to 12 points, but Jalen made a mid-range shot and Isaiah Joe continued to score, leading to a 10-0 run by the Thunder and a 22-point lead. After a timeout, Shamet and Towns narrowed the gap to 17 points, but Jalen, Isaiah Joe, Harten, and Alexander extended it to 26 points. Towns scored four points, but Jalin and Alexander added five more, making the lead 27 points. Brunson and Hart scored from the free throw line, but Alexander and Isaiah Joe responded, keeping the difference at 26 points. Towns and Brunson scored again, but Wiggins and Wallace responded, leaving the Thunder ahead 70-43 at halftime.
Alexander scored 19 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in the first half, shooting 8 for 12. Isaiah Joe set a career-high with 23 points and 1 rebound, shooting 8 for 11 (6 for 7 from three-point range), creating a new career scoring record in a half. Jalen contributed 10 points and 5 assists. For the Knicks, Brunson scored 15 points and 3 assists on 3 for 8 shooting, while Towns had 10 points and 7 rebounds on 4 for 8 shooting.
In the third quarter, Jalen and Alexander continued to score, while Hart, Brunson, Towns, and OG tried to catch up, but the gap remained at 22 points. Alexander, Isaiah Joe, and Jalen extended the lead to 28 points. Hart, Brunson, and Towns scored, but Harten and Alexander responded, keeping the difference at 27 points. Towns scored consecutively, but Jalen and Alexander responded, maintaining a 25-point lead. Hart and Brunson scored again, but Alexander responded with consecutive points, keeping the lead at 28 points. At the end of the third quarter, the Thunder led 102-74.
In the fourth quarter, Wiggins scored with a hook shot, giving the Thunder a 30-point lead. Brunson and Payne narrowed the gap to 23 points, but Kenwei scored consecutively, and Payne, McBride, and OG tried to close the gap to 22 points. After a timeout, Wallace, Harten, and Wiggins scored, while McBride and Topin tried to catch up, but the gap remained at 22 points. Isaiah Joe made two consecutive three-pointers, extending the lead to 28 points. With just over two minutes left in the game, the suspense was completely lost, and the Thunder ultimately won 126-101.
Alexander played only 29 minutes, scoring 39 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and adding 2 assists and 2 steals on 15 for 21 shooting, an astonishing efficiency. He also set a league record this season with 33 consecutive games scoring 20+ points. Isaiah Joe scored 31 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists on 11 for 16 shooting (8 for 11 from three-point range), setting new career records for three-pointers and points in a season. Jalen contributed 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, while Wiggins had 8 points and 5 rebounds, and Harten had 6 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.
Towns scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on 9 for 16 shooting. Brunson scored 27 points, 1 rebound, and 5 assists on 7 for 15 shooting. Hart had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals. Payne scored 11 points and grabbed 2 rebounds. McBride had 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Bridges went 0 for 9, scoring 0 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists, performing poorly. OG scored 4 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and added 2 assists, shooting 2 for 8, also with poor efficiency.
The Knicks have strong combat power and outstanding talent, but they were unexpectedly overwhelmed by the Thunder, who were missing Chet and Caruso. The Thunder's combat power is terrifying. In recent times, the Thunder has faced multiple strong teams, losing only to the Cavaliers away from home. Other strong teams, including the Celtics and the Knicks, were no match for the Thunder. Undoubtedly, the Thunder has become a top-tier team capable of winning the championship, changing the landscape of the league.