All Thunder in Win Over Boston

Box Score: OKC 150, BOS 117

By Nick Gallo and Paris Lawson | okcthunder.com

All season the Thunder has talked about playing to its brand and basketball identity. Free-flowing offense where all five players can be playmakers, play finishers and movers. Ferocious but disciplined defense that doesn’t shy away from the moment of truth. But a massive part of the Thunder identity is one that’s existed throughout all 15 years here in Oklahoma City, and that is pure, contagious fun. 

There was a party inside Paycom Center on Tuesday night as the Thunder throttled the best team by record in the NBA, ripping apart the Boston Celtics 150-117. The Thunder forced the NBA’s top offense by rating, and the league’s second best since 1996, into 17 turnovers that led to 27 points while also forcing one of the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooting team into just 30 percent from behind the arc. 

With all those stops, the Thunder was able to get out and run, playing freely even without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was a late scratch with a non-COVID illness. After an excellent day of practice and an approach of every individual taking pride in their jobs and their physical toughness, the Thunder’s defensive tone turned into an onslaught of scoring. OKC racked up franchise records with 150 points and 48 in the third quarter, as seven different players registered at least three assists, seven different players scored in double-figures and five different players scored 20-or-more points. It was truly a team win, with everyone in the building getting into the action and soaking up the excitement. 

Nick: The Thunder didn’t let a highlight play by Boston affect its pace and tempo. Immediately after a tip dunk by Marcus Smart, OKC pushed the ball into the open floor and Josh Giddey found a cutting Aaron Wiggins for a baseline layup, plus the foul. Going punch for punch to start games was a crucial message heading into this game for the Thunder. By going small in the starting lineup with Wiggins and Kenrich Williams alongside Josh Giddey, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, the Thunder played with speed early in the clock off makes or misses. 

Paris: Even though the Thunder gave up some size on the block with its small startline lineup, they went into the second quarter ahead of Boston on the glass. OKC out-rebounded Boston 13 to 11 and pulled down four offensive boards. It was a collective effort by the Thunder with a swarm of Blue uniforms surrounding the rim on every shot attempt both offensive and defensively. Kenrich Williams, who started as the makeshift center for OKC, led the way with five boards of his own. By the end of the night, the Thunder held a 44-38 advantage on the glass over the Celtics. 

Nick: Coming out of a timeout, Tre Mann harassed Celtics guard Sam Hauser at midcourt, deflecting the ball out of his hands and forcing an uncomfortable start to the possession. Mann stuck with it and eventually made the steal, racing into the front court and slamming home a one-handed dunk. 

Paris: Isaiah Joe, who ranks sixth in the NBA in 3-point percentage, stepped into the game and immediately demonstrated his readiness  off the bench. The third-year guard cashed in a quick catch-and-shoot on one possession, but also hit a smooth mid-range jumper on the baseline soon after. Joe’s first seven points of his night game in his first seven minutes of action. By halftime, Joe led all scorers with 17 points in his 14 minutes of playing time. 

Nick: A career-high three assists for Jaylin Williams (JWill) in the first half, in just his 10th career NBA game, against the vaunted Celtics. The point-center work at the top of the key that he's been honing at the G League level came in handy on Tuesday as everyone served as a playmaker for OKC in this one. Perhaps the loudest of the three assists came as JWill posted up at the right elbow and whipped a pass over his right shoulder to a cutting Jalen Williams (JDub) for an easy layup on the left side of the rim.  

Nick: Josh Giddey buried a catch-and-shoot 3 on the right wing, then on the next possession he bullied his way to the left side of the rim, scoring on a layup right through the chest of Celtics guard Derrick White. Giddey helped facilitate a Thunder attack that included 31 assists and just 13 turnovers, but he also chipped in 25 points of his own to go with five rebounds and five assists. Productive all-year, the 20-year-old has scored in double figures in 23 of his last 25 games this year. 

Paris: It was a well-rounded offensive night for Lu Dort. The defensive stopper put his scoring versatility on display throughout the night. In the first half, it was determined and hard-earned drives to the rim. In the second half, Dort was the recipient of several easy 3-point catch and shoot looks from Josh Giddey. By the end of the night, Dort finished with 23 points on 8 of 15 from the field and 3 of 6 from the 3-point line. All the while, Lu maintained his defensive intensity with his primary assignment of defending Jayson Tatum. 

Nick: Tre Mann dribbled left around a screen and pulled up quickly for 3, “hitting the gas” as Mark Daigneault likes to call it. The ball banked hard off the glass and right through the net. The second-year guard showed no hesitation when he touched the ball on Tuesday night, taking to heart the lessons he learned with the Oklahoma City Blue at the G League showcase. Mann fired off catch-and-shoot 3s, and blistered the nets with 8-for-11 shooting off the bench including five 3s for 21 total points. The Thunder’s reserves outscored Boston’s 54-44, as OKC’s bench outscored its opponent for the 22nd time in 36 tries this year. 

Paris: The Thunder’s offense was firing on all cylinders through all four quarters and it took a collective effort to keep the foot on the gas throughout the night. Tre Mann stepped back at the top of the key and cashed in a triple that gave him 21 points and marked the fifth player for the Thunder to register 20 or more points. It was just the second time in OKC history for the occurrence to take place - the last time it happened was back in December of 2019 against Minnesota which was a double-overtime game. 

“The key to the game was the start. Defensively, good fundamentals. We got ourselves back on track in terms of habits. Those last two games just weren't who we want to be. Offensively, I thought we played a great pace. We really moved hard in the half court on our screens and slip outs, but you have to do that against them because they're a really physical team.” - Mark Daigneault 

“It was fun. Everybody was out there having fun, smiling and laughing and playing with energy. That's how you want to play every night… We’ve got great players and great people, guys who don't really care who gets the credit, as long as we're just going out there and competing.” - Tre Mann 

“It’s contagious. One guy makes a shot, the next guy is feeling good about themselves. When the crowd is into it the way they were tonight, it really gives each player energy.” - Josh Giddey

It’s a quick 24-hour turnaround for the Thunder. The Thunder set out on a home-road back-to-back that will take them to Orlando to face the Magic on Wednesday.

By Zach Beeker | OKC Thunder