OKLAHOMA CITY – In a stunning upset, the Oklahoma City Thunder halted the Los Angeles Clippers’ impressive nine-game winning streak with a 134-115 victory on Thursday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31-point performance and Chet Holmgren’s jaw-dropping dunk played pivotal roles in the Thunder’s triumph.
As the game reached a critical juncture in the third quarter, with the Thunder trailing by a point, Holmgren showcased his athleticism with a move reminiscent of playground basketball. Pump-faking Ivica Zubac at the free-throw line, Holmgren threw the ball off the backboard to himself, executing a thunderous two-handed jam.
“I don’t know where it came from, really, honestly,” Holmgren admitted. “That was like an at-the-park move… I guess it just happened.”
Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his surprise and admiration, stating, “He’s 7 feet, so he’d better have that in him. I didn’t expect him to do it. I thought he was just going to step through and shoot. But it was tough.”
Holmgren’s audacious play sparked a 13-0 run, propelling the Thunder to a double-digit lead that they maintained for the remainder of the game.
Holmgren finished the game with an impressive 23 points, complemented by Lu Dort’s 21 points, contributing to the Thunder’s 58.6% shooting from the field. This victory marked the Thunder’s fifth win in the last six games, solidifying their second-place standing in the Western Conference (18-8).
“Obviously, they’re a super talented group,” acknowledged Gilgeous-Alexander. “A bunch of Hall of Famers over there, and we knew what the task was waking up this morning.”
The Clippers, missing Kawhi Leonard due to a bruised right hip, couldn’t recover from the Thunder’s onslaught. James Harden (23 points) and Paul George (22 points) led the Clippers, who hadn’t lost since November 30.
“They did a good job of just attacking us,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue admitted. “We couldn’t get back, we couldn’t get set, we couldn’t get matched, and they took advantage of that early.”
Former Thunder star Russell Westbrook, now with the Clippers, received a warm welcome from the crowd as he entered the game. Westbrook contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s dominant performance.
The Thunder’s next challenge awaits as they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, while the Clippers look to bounce back at home against the Boston Celtics.
In a game filled with unexpected twists and highlight-reel plays, the Thunder emerged victorious, showcasing their resilience and determination against one of the league’s powerhouse teams.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Q: How did Chet Holmgren’s dunk change the momentum of the game?
- A: Holmgren’s dunk, an unconventional move off the backboard to himself, ignited a 13-0 run, giving the Thunder the lead for good and setting the tone for their victory.
- Q: Why was Kawhi Leonard absent from the Clippers’ lineup?
- A: Leonard was sidelined due to a bruised right hip, leaving the Clippers without one of their key players in the matchup against the Thunder.
- Q: How did the Thunder manage to end the Clippers’ nine-game winning streak?
- A: Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points and Holmgren’s impactful play, the Thunder executed well, shooting 58.6% from the field and disrupting the Clippers’ rhythm.
- Q: How did the absence of Josh Giddey impact the Thunder?
- A: Giddey, who left the game with a sprained left ankle, scored 11 points before his injury. His absence affected the Thunder’s lineup but didn’t derail their overall performance.
- Q: How did Russell Westbrook fare in his return to Oklahoma City?
- A: Westbrook, now playing for the Clippers, received a warm welcome from the crowd. He contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds but couldn’t prevent the Clippers from losing.
- Q: What’s next for both teams after this game?
- A: The Thunder will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, while the Clippers have a home game against the Boston Celtics in their upcoming schedule.
- Q: How significant is this win for the Oklahoma City Thunder?
- A: This victory against the high-performing Clippers adds to the Thunder’s recent success, reaffirming their competitiveness and standing in the Western Conference.

Reporter