The Boston Celtics stepped into the Paycom Center on Thursday night aiming to send a message against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Celtics fell short, with Payton Pritchard’s potential game-winner just missing the mark, they left Oklahoma with plenty to be proud of.
“It was a phenomenal basketball game,” Pritchard remarked after the tight 104-102 defeat. “That's what you get when two great teams clash.”
Despite missing key players Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, the Celtics managed to build a 12-point lead-the largest of the game. However, they struggled to contain Thunder guard and MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when it counted. The reigning NBA Finals MVP exploded for 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial jumper that put the Thunder ahead 102-100 with just 30 seconds on the clock.
Jaylen Brown, leading the Celtics with 34 points, answered back with a jumper of his own. Yet, it was Thunder center Chet Holmgren who sealed the deal, calmly sinking two free throws with a second left to push the Thunder to a 104-102 lead.
In a last-ditch effort, Pritchard launched a 3-pointer from over 30 feet as time expired. The shot was on target but fell just short, grazing the net as the buzzer sounded.
“We're just getting better and better,” Pritchard shared post-game. “We're not viewing this as a failure.”
SGA. pic.twitter.com/08CBFBixJa
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 13, 2026
Pritchard contributed 14 points off the bench, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer just before halftime that sparked some hope. Despite the Celtics’ first back-to-back losses in over two months, Pritchard recognized the positives.
Payton Pritchard was asked what he’s learning about some of the young Celtics coming off the bench:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) March 13, 2026
“We’re not learning anything. You guys have already seen it. They come ready to play and play winning basketball. So it’s nothing new.”
“It’s what they do.”
Via @NBCSCeltics pic.twitter.com/SdgY33NiN2
“We went toe-to-toe with them on their turf,” he noted. “It was a hard-fought game, and we’ll grow from this.
There were about 10 possessions we could've handled better. I know I had a few I’d like to redo.
But you learn, grow, and improve.”
With Tatum and White out, Boston leaned on emerging talents like Hugo Gonzalez, Ron Harper Jr., and Jordan Walsh, who stepped up to keep the game competitive.
“They come ready to play and play winning basketball,” Pritchard said of the young bench’s contribution. “It’s nothing new…It’s what they do.”
The Celtics head back to Boston with a 43-23 record, holding firm in second place in the Eastern Conference. After challenging matchups against the Spurs and Thunder, they’ll look to rebound against the 16-49 Washington Wizards on Saturday night.