The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their dominance in the NBA with a 116-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, stretching their winning streak to 13 games, the longest since the franchise’s relocation from Seattle. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics eked out a nail-biting 118-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, showcasing resilience despite key injuries.
Thunder Storm Past Clippers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points and eight assists, helping Oklahoma City maintain their position as Western Conference leaders with a 28-5 record. Trailing 52-48 at halftime, the Thunder surged with a 42-20 third-quarter outburst that sealed the game.
Isaiah Hartenstein contributed significantly with 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, emphasizing the team’s focus on improving their defensive intensity.
“We weren’t playing with the force we wanted in the first half. We wanted to pick up the pressure, and we did a good job of that,” Hartenstein said postgame.
Celtics Edge Timberwolves in a Thriller
In Minneapolis, the Celtics, playing without Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, overcame adversity to claim a crucial victory. Jayson Tatum starred with 33 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, supported by Derrick White’s 26 points.
Despite leading 62-51 at halftime, the Celtics faced a late surge from the Timberwolves, who tied the game at 94-94 in the fourth quarter. Minnesota stayed in contention until the final seconds, with Anthony Edwards missing a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“We stuck with it,” Tatum said about the Celtics’ defensive effort. “They hit some tough shots, but we competed and stayed true to our game plan.”
Julius Randle paced the Timberwolves with 27 points, but Minnesota’s 16 turnovers proved costly. The Celtics improved to 25-9, with a challenging road schedule ahead against Houston, Oklahoma City, and Denver.
Nets and Pacers Shine
In other action, the Brooklyn Nets edged the Milwaukee Bucks 113-110 in a tightly contested game. Cameron Johnson led Brooklyn with 26 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 27 points and Damian Lillard’s 23 were not enough for Milwaukee. Key misses by the Bucks in the closing moments allowed the Nets to secure the win.
The Indiana Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 33-point, 15-rebound performance, defeated the Miami Heat 128-115. Myles Turner added 21 points as the Pacers dominated in Miami.
The Thunder will aim to continue their record-setting form as they maintain their stronghold in the West. Meanwhile, the Celtics’ focus shifts to sustaining their momentum on a grueling road trip, with their resilience tested against top teams. The Pacers and Nets, bolstered by recent victories, remain contenders in their respective conferences.
