Sun Jan 05 22:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Thunder Fall Short Against Celtics in Close Contest at Paycom Center
**OKLAHOMA CITY, OK –** The Oklahoma City Thunder put up a valiant effort against the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center on Sunday, but ultimately fell short in a thrilling contest. Despite a stellar performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), the Thunder couldn’t overcome the Celtics’ strong inside game and fell to Boston.
Gilgeous-Alexander electrified the crowd early, scoring nine quick points and earning MVP chants. However, the Celtics countered with dominant performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who returned from injury looking sharp, scoring 10 points in the first quarter alone. Boston controlled the paint in the first half, shooting 68% from inside the arc and outscoring OKC 34-20.
Aaron Wiggins provided a spark off the bench for the Thunder, adding to his 19-point performance from Friday’s win against the Knicks. A late 7-0 run, capped by a bank shot from Wiggins, brought OKC within one point in the closing seconds, creating an exciting finish. Despite the late push, the Thunder’s other starters struggled to find their rhythm, leaving the scoring burden largely on Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis proved a formidable force, showcasing his dominance inside. Interesting defensive matchups saw the Celtics assigning Cason Wallace to Porzingis, while the Thunder utilized Isaiah Hartenstein.
The game featured several key absences for both teams. The Thunder were without Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and several other players due to injury, while the Celtics were missing a few players assigned to the G League.
The final score was not provided in the original text. Despite the loss, the Thunder demonstrated their competitive spirit and showcased Gilgeous-Alexander’s continued excellence. The game was broadcast online on Fubo.
First Piper 