The Oklahoma City Thunder came back to win as they beat the Boston Celtics 118-112 at the TD Garden. With this result, the Thunder clinched a playoff spot as they are still number one in the West with a record of 54-12.
In the previous five games, the Thunder had beaten many of the top teams in the West, including the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets—before losing to the Nuggets in their last game.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named man of the game against the ever-successful Celtics, after finishing with 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds in 39 minutes. That means Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 points or more and dished out at least seven assists in four of the Thunder’s last five games.
But it was not his scoring or personal hot streak that made the Canadian happy after the game. What mattered most to Gilgeous-Alexander was that the Thunder clinched a playoff spot by beating the defending champions.
For Gilgeous-Alexander, ‘There‘s no better test in the NBA‘
“It‘s huge. Because [the Celtics have] done it, because they’ve done what we’re trying to do, the games against them are always going to be heightened,“ said Gilgeous-Alexander in his post-match press conference.
“They’re always going to be a little bit more exciting. They, like I said, achieved what we are trying to accomplish, and there’s no better test in the NBA,“ he added.
What makes this victory all the more special is the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander and his team swept the two-game series against Boston this season.
“You play for late June, and the other team had won late June. So playing against them is always fun, always a really big challenge and something that we get to test ourselves against them. I guess we passed two tests so far,“ he explained.
The Thunder is on the road to recovery from last season
But the 26-year-old isn’t ready to think too far ahead. He believes the Thunder still have a long way to go to achieve their goals this season, regardless of whether or not they are playing at championship level.
The Thunder are having a good season so far, leading the Western Conference and still searching for their first NBA championship.
Last season, when they also finished top of the West, they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals in a six-game thriller.
This season can be more special for Gilgeous-Alexander
For Gilgeous-Alexander personally, this season can be even more special because he’s still the frontrunner for the NBA MVP award.
He’s averaging 32.8 points and 6.2 assists per game, with a 52.2 field goal percentage. Gilgeous-Alexander also leads the NBA in points and free throws per game. Also recording 60 straight games with more than 20 points.
With the Thunder record and his consistency, Gilgeous-Alexander has a big chance to sweep all the trophies available this season.
The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops ultimate compliment on Celtics as OKC clinch playoff spot appeared first on HITC.
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