The last time Oklahoma City rolled into Portland, the Blazers handed them their only loss of the season. So when the Thunder returned to Moda Center, you knew this one had some extra weight.
And it showed. Portland didn’t back down-they pushed, they scrapped, and they made OKC earn every inch.
But in the end, the Thunder pulled out a gritty, back-and-forth win to take the season series 2-1 and extend their winning streak to 12.
Let’s start with the closer. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, reminded everyone why that trophy’s sitting on his shelf.
He entered the fourth with a modest 16 points, but when it mattered most, he turned it up-again. SGA went 4-of-5 from the field in the final frame, dropping 10 of his 26 points when the game was hanging in the balance.
Add in 5 assists, 4 boards, and a near-perfect 10-of-12 from the line, and you’ve got another night of MVP-level execution.
But Shai didn’t do it alone. Ajay Mitchell, the rookie who continues to play with the poise of a seasoned vet, was massive down the stretch.
With Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Williams back in the mix, there was some question as to how Mitchell’s role might shift. Turns out, it didn’t shift much at all-at least not in terms of impact.
Mitchell poured in 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter alone, finishing 5-of-9 from the field, a perfect 6-of-6 from the stripe, and tacked on 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 29 high-leverage minutes off the bench.
Speaking of Wiggins, he didn’t miss a beat in his return. Thrust right back into his typical role, he logged 20 minutes, chipped in 5 points, and dished out 4 assists. It wasn’t flashy, but it was steady-the kind of contribution that helps stabilize a rotation still working through the bumps of injury returns.
Jalen Williams, meanwhile, is still searching for rhythm with his shot, but he found plenty of ways to leave his mark. He finished with 16 points, 8 boards, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in 34 minutes. Those blocks weren’t just filler stats either-his defensive presence helped tilt the momentum late.
And then there’s Chet Holmgren, who continues to answer the bell against physical frontcourts. The rookie big man went toe-to-toe with Portland’s bruisers, finishing with 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
His rim protection, along with OKC’s team defense, was a game-changer. The Thunder swatted 9 shots as a team and held Portland to just 39% shooting from the field.
Even more impressive? OKC won the points-in-the-paint battle 56-36 despite the Blazers’ size.
Portland’s biggest spark came from Deni Avdija, who absolutely erupted. The versatile forward dropped a monster triple-double: 31 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.
He lived at the free throw line, going 19-of-23, and kept the Blazers within striking distance all night. It was a career night for Avdija and a reminder that he’s more than just a glue guy-he can take over games.
Back on the OKC side, Isaiah Joe continues to be instant offense. The sharpshooter needed just 15 minutes to score 15 points, going 3-of-6 from deep.
When Joe checks in, defenses have to stretch, and that opens up driving lanes for everyone else. His impact goes well beyond the box score.
Kenrich Williams also made his presence felt. In just 13 minutes, he scored 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three.
His energy was contagious, and his fourth-quarter minutes helped OKC pull away. Kenny Hustle might not always fill the stat sheet, but he finds ways to make winning plays.
The rebounding battle ended in a deadlock at 49 apiece, but Portland’s 13 offensive boards were a problem. Without Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder are clearly missing some muscle on the interior. His absence was felt on the glass, particularly on second-chance opportunities.
Turnovers were nearly even-OKC had 12, Portland had 14-but the Thunder made theirs count. They turned those Blazers giveaways into a +10 advantage in points off turnovers, a margin that loomed large in an 8-point win.
This was a slugfest from start to finish: 15 lead changes, 22 ties, and a Portland lead that lingered well into the second half. But then OKC dropped the hammer in the fourth, outscoring the Blazers 38-28 in the final 12 minutes. It was the kind of closing effort that championship-caliber teams are built on.
With the win, the Thunder improve to a blistering 78-win pace. And while that number may not hold, the message is clear-this team is deep, talented, and knows how to finish.