Thunder Extend Impeccable Record to 7-0 with Narrow Victory Over Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder maintained their perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 103-100 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The win extends the Thunder’s record to 7-0, solidifying their position at the top of the Western Conference.

Gilgeous-Alexander Seals the Deal

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a crucial three-pointer to secure the win for the Thunder. He finished the night with 26 points and eight assists, proving pivotal in the fourth quarter comeback. “We got the game back on track in the fourth quarter and we were able to give ourselves a chance,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “At the end of the game, you just have to find a way. I made plays. The boys made plays. Still, we got the victory.”

Holmgren Shines in First Half

Chet Holmgren led the Thunder in scoring with 28 points, 22 of which came in a dominant first half performance. Oklahoma City’s strong defense limited the Knicks to just 40 points before halftime, while Jalen Brunson struggled under intense pressure, scoring only two points.

Knicks Mount a Comeback

The Knicks responded strongly after halftime, scoring 40 points in the third quarter alone. A three-pointer from Brunson tied the score and energized the home crowd. New York briefly took the lead in the final minutes, but the Thunder rallied.

Thunder Regain Control

Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren spearheaded the Thunder’s response, regaining control of the match. A jump shot from Gilgeous-Alexander with just over a minute remaining opened up a seven-point lead. Although Brunson reduced the deficit to three, his last-second three-point attempt fell short.

Holmgren Reflects on Victory at Madison Square Garden

“It’s always great to approach out with a win. There is no better place to do it than Mecca,” Holmgren stated, referring to Madison Square Garden.

Celtics Fall to Hornets

In other NBA action, the Boston Celtics suffered a 118-89 defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, who are on a positive streak. Rookie Could Knueppel contributed 20 points for Charlotte, while Derrick White’s 29 points were not enough for Boston. The Hornets’ victory marked their sixth consecutive win by 15 points or more, the second-longest such streak in NBA history.

Conference Standings

The Knicks remain third in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder currently hold the best record in the league at 49-15, with a three-and-a-half game lead over the San Antonio Spurs.

Looking Ahead

Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of preparation for the playoff phase. “You have to get in shape, because we are going to need everyone for this playoff phase,” he noted. “And then we just have to keep doing what we’re doing. We have to stay united. We have to be the team we have been for the last year and a half.”