The OKC Thunder didn’t wait until midnight to unleash a fireworks display.
OKC cruised to a 124-95 home win over Portland on Wednesday, and it embraced the New Year’s Eve festivities by delivering one explosive play after another. From powerful blocks to high-flying alley oops, the reigning NBA champions showed why they owned the year 2025.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points, six assists and four steals in 29 minutes. He was one of seven double-digit scorers for the Thunder (29-5).
Here are three takeaways from the win:
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Deni Avdija found himself in uncharted territory
Deni Avdija is a true Trail Blazer. A fearless explorer who doesn’t create paths to the rim. He makes them by putting his head down and embracing contact.
It’s a big reason why the Portland forward entered Wednesday with an average of 9.7 free-throw attempts per game, which ranks second in the NBA. He only trails Luka Doncic (11.8).
But when Avdija explored a path to the rim early in the first quarter with an aggressive drive, he ran into uncharted territory. A Thunder defense that’s too dense to traverse and is equally dangerous, as it’s inhabited by standout defenders.
Among that group is Gilgeous-Alexander, who halted Avdija’s drive by swiping down and poking the ball away. No foul was called, despite Avdija’s best efforts to exaggerate the contact.
That proved to be a common theme, as OKC defended Avdija without fouling throughout the night. It used its active and accurate hands to rip the ball away on drives, and it showed discipline on closeouts by contesting jumpers without running into his outstretched leg.
Avdija finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and seven turnovers in 32 minutes. He went 5-for-14 from the field (1 for 4 from deep) and only 6 for 7 shooting from the free-throw line.
Chet Holmgren invited everyone to his block party
It was only right that Chet Holmgren held a block party on New Year’s Eve.
One invitee was Toumani Camara. The Portland forward drove past Gilgeous-Alexander early in the third quarter and got into the lane, otherwise known as Holmgren’s front porch. And he was quickly greeted with an outstretched hand, which sent his layup out of bounds.
Camara wasn’t the only Trail Blazer who received a not-so-warm welcome at the rim, as Holmgren owned the paint from the opening tipoff. The 7-foot-1 big man racked up six blocks in only 25 minutes of action.
Holmgren also recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds and two steals on 5-for-10 shooting from the field (1 for 3 from deep). It was a strong performance by a player who has a good case to earn his first All-Star selection this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is somehow getting more efficient
Even on a fastbreak, there’s no speeding up Gilgeous-Alexander.
The superstar guard cruised to the rim after being given the ball by Jalen Williams midway through the third quarter. And he seemed unbothered when he checked his rearview mirror to see a pair of Portland defenders in hot pursuit.
Camara ultimately caught up to Gilgeous-Alexander, and the All-Defensive second-team forward soared through the air in an effort to block his shot. But Gilgeous-Alexander calmly evaded him by switching hands and sinking a reverse layup.
Gilgeous-Alexander also cruised to his 30 points, going 11 for 15 from the field (73.3%) and 1 for 2 from deep (50%). And he made elite scoring look effortless, just like he has done all season.
The reigning MVP has somehow gotten more efficient with each passing month. He shot 52.1% through six games in October, 55.7% through 15 games in November and 59.4% through 12 games in December.
Tip-insOKC was without Brooks Barnhizer (G League two-way), Ousmane Dieng (right calf strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgery recovery), Nikola Topić (surgery recovery) and Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis).Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 105 straight games. It’s the second-longest streak in NBA history, only trailing Wilt Chamberlain (126).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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