The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a narrow 103–100 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. A strong performance from Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped Oklahoma City hold off a late push from New York and extend its winning streak.
Holmgren Leads Thunder Attack
Holmgren delivered an impressive outing, finishing with 28 points and eight rebounds. The young big man also tied his career best by knocking down six three-pointers, showing his shooting ability from long range.
Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points, while Luguentz Dort contributed 16 points to support the Thunder offense. With the win, Oklahoma City recorded its fourth straight victory, continuing its strong season run.
Knicks Fight Back After Slow Start
Despite trailing early, the Knicks mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter. Jalen Brunson led the effort, finishing with 16 points and a season-high 15 assists, although he struggled with efficiency and shot just 5 of 18 from the field.
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while OG Anunoby also added 16 points for New York.
Third-Quarter Surge by New York
The Thunder appeared to have control midway through the game. Oklahoma City led 63–48 with under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
However, the Knicks responded with a 24–9 run, highlighted by Brunson’s three-pointer that tied the game. Shortly after, Mikal Bridges hit a late three to give New York an 80–77 lead heading into the final seconds of the quarter.
Thunder Regain Control in the Fourth
Oklahoma City quickly recovered early in the fourth quarter and reclaimed the lead. The Thunder maintained a narrow advantage throughout the final minutes as both teams battled in a tightly contested finish.
On the last possession, Brunson and Anunoby both attempted potential game-tying three-pointers, but neither shot fell, allowing Oklahoma City to escape with the three-point victory.
Holmgren’s Hot Start Sets the Tone
Holmgren played a key role right from the opening quarter. He scored 14 points in the first period, hitting four three-pointers while shooting 5 of 7 overall. His early scoring helped Oklahoma City establish momentum early in the game.
At one stage in the second quarter, the Thunder led 44–31, though a scoring drought allowed the Knicks to close the gap. Holmgren eventually ended the dry spell with two late three-pointers, sending Oklahoma City into halftime with a 50–40 lead.
High-Intensity Matchup
The game carried extra intensity because it featured the defending NBA champions facing a Knicks team that had come close to reaching the NBA Finals last season.
During the first quarter, Knicks head coach Mike Brown was visibly frustrated after officials did not call what New York believed should have been Gilgeous-Alexander’s third foul when he collided with Brunson. The argument resulted in Brown receiving a technical foul.
What’s Next
- The Thunder will return home to host the Golden State Warriors in their next game.
- The Knicks will travel to face the Denver Nuggets as they begin a five-game road trip.
