The Boston Celtics are starting to find their rhythm. Winners of six of their last eight, they’ve clawed their way to an 11-9 record through 20 games.
But in a league where momentum can shift overnight, even a solid stretch like that doesn’t make you the headline. Not when the Oklahoma City Thunder are doing what they’re doing.
Fresh off their 2025 NBA championship, the Thunder have stormed into this season with the kind of dominance that turns heads-and keeps them turned. They’ve won 20 of their first 21 games, including a current 12-game win streak that’s made them the team to beat. And here’s the kicker: they’ve done most of it without Jalen Williams, who’s only suited up twice this season.
The engine behind this incredible run? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The reigning MVP isn’t just picking up where he left off-he’s pushing the ceiling even higher. There might not be a more reliable scorer in the game right now.
Night in, night out, he’s delivering buckets with surgical precision, and his consistency is drawing some serious praise from NBA royalty.
Paul Pierce, never one to throw around comparisons lightly, went big on a recent episode of No Fouls Given. “You just can’t stop him,” Pierce said.
“He’s starting to give me that Jordan presence, seriously. I’m looking like, ‘Alright, he gonna get 30.
You can clock 30.’ We had Kobe, LeBron, KD, and they’ll have big nights, but this dude is consistent 30s.”
Now, putting anyone in the same breath as Michael Jordan is going to raise eyebrows-and fair enough. But Pierce isn’t just reacting to the numbers.
He’s talking about the feeling, the inevitability that comes with watching Shai operate. That sense that, no matter what the defense throws at him, he’s going to find his spots, control the pace, and make the right play.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging over 30 points per game for the fourth consecutive season, but his impact goes far beyond scoring. He’s become the kind of player who bends the game to his will. Whether it’s a timely steal, a clutch assist, or simply taking over in crunch time, he’s putting his fingerprints on every win.
Of course, there’s still a long road between “reminds me of Jordan” and “belongs in the Jordan conversation.” But when a Hall of Famer like Pierce sees something special, it’s worth paying attention. And right now, the Thunder aren’t just winning-they’re making a statement.
As for the Celtics, they’re trending in the right direction and will look to keep building momentum when they face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. It’s still early, but with the league heating up, every game is a chance to make a move-or get left behind.