Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder make most of opportunity in win vs. Celtics

[RandySF]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was uncharacteristically impatient when asked about facing the Boston Celtics in a Sunday afternoon time slot.

“Absolutely,” Gilgeous-Alexander said while interrupting a reporter inquiring about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s game against the defending NBA champions. “They won; we’re trying to win. That will be a very fun basketball game.”

Gilgeous-Alexander then followed with, “Sorry to cut you off.”

Eager to get a crack at a Celtics team that went 16-3 in the playoffs last summer, Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t disappoint Sunday. He scored 33 points and made critical defensive plays that helped his team erase a 10-point halftime deficit and beat Boston 105-92.

“At the root of it all, I like to go against the best and see where I stand, how good I really am,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s all it comes down to.”




https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6040158/2025/01/06/shai-gilgeous-alexander-thunder-nba-celtics/

[Mosby]

1. That was a great game.

OKC saw that the refs weren't calling a lot of fouls, so they turned up the defensive intensity in the second half and the Celts only scored 15/12 points in the 3rd/4th qts. They won by 13 points in a game where Boston made 10 more free throws.