Oklahoma City Thunder Hold Off New York
The Oklahoma City Thunder earned a gritty 103-100 victory over the New York Knicks, powered by Chet Holmgren’s 28 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points. Holmgren tied his career high with six 3-pointers, while Lu Dort added 16 points to help the Thunder secure their fourth straight win.
Holmgren’s Hot Shooting Leads the Way
Holmgren set the tone early with 14 first-quarter points, hitting four 3-pointers and finishing 5-for-7 from the field. His clutch shooting helped Oklahoma City withstand New York’s third-quarter surge, when the Knicks scored 40 points to briefly take the lead.
- Holmgren: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 6 threes.
- Gilgeous-Alexander: 26 points, steady scoring presence.
- Dort: 16 points, key defensive stops.
Knicks’ Rally Falls Short
The Knicks (lost three-game win streak) fought back behind Jalen Brunson’s 16 points and season-high 15 assists, though he struggled shooting at 5-for-18. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 17 points and 17 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 16 points.
Despite their effort, Brunson and Anunoby missed tying 3-point attempts in the final possession, sealing the Thunder’s win.
Intensity in First Meeting
This matchup carried playoff-level energy, as the Knicks sought redemption after falling short of facing Oklahoma City in last year’s NBA Finals. Tensions rose early when Knicks coach Mike Brown received a technical foul after protesting a non-call on Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City built a 63-48 lead in the third quarter, but New York stormed back with a 24-9 run. Mikal Bridges’ buzzer-beating 3 gave the Knicks an 80-77 edge heading into the fourth, but the Thunder regained control and held on late.
What’s Next
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, while the Knicks begin a five-game road trip at Denver on Friday.
