March 9, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is interviewed by TV media after the team’s second-half victory over the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Coming off one of the best games of his career, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will try to make history when the Thunder host the Boston Celtics on Thursday in a matchup of two of the best teams in the NBA.
By scoring 20 or more points, Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for consecutive games with 20 or more points.
Gilgeous-Alexander tied Chamberlain in his 126th game with 35 points and a pair of 3-pointers in the closing seconds to help Oklahoma City win 129-126 over Denver on Monday. He also had a career-high 15 assists.
The Thunder entered Thursday’s game on a six-game winning streak, their longest since starting the season 24-1.
The current winning streak coincides with Gilgeous-Alexander’s return from a nine-game absence due to an abdominal strain, although he missed one game on the first night of the streak.
The reigning MVP has hit a late 3-pointer in each of the last three games to help his team win close games.
“He doesn’t change his mindset regardless of the situation,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Dagno said. “He doesn’t do anything and doesn’t sweat. … He never pressures. He just has incredible situational awareness, awareness of the length of the game. I think one of his superpowers is understanding how long the game is and being able to make the right play knowing he’s going to make it.”
Thursday’s meeting is the first meeting of the season between the teams.
Both teams played every other team in the league.
While the Thunder are trying to catch San Antonio in the Western Conference, the Celtics are trying to catch Detroit in the Eastern Conference.
Boston enters Thursday’s action 3 1/2 games behind the Pistons.
The Celtics are coming off a nine-point loss to the Spurs on Tuesday, but have won 14 of their last 18.
Thursday’s game will be Boston’s fourth since the return of Jayson Tatum, who missed the first 62 games with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Tatum is averaging 19.7 points on 39.3% shooting since returning. He has yet to play more than 27:10 in a game.
“I could have played more,” Tatum said. “But I mean, I understand the bigger picture. I’m not thinking about the Achilles heel right now. I’m trying to compete, be there, but it’s part of the plan so I have to stick to it.”
Celtics’ Ron Harper Jr. was coming off a career performance Tuesday, scoring 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting to help Boston stay in the game late despite Jaylen Brown’s ejection in the first half.
“His defense is that impactful,” Celtics coach Joe Mazula said of Harper. “Another person who could have an impact on our victory.”
Boston ranks second in the league with an offensive rating (points per 100) of 119.8.
Oklahoma City leads the NBA in defensive rating with 106.2.
The teams’ net ratings are 1-2, with the Thunder at 10.8 and the Celtics at 7.9.
–Field level media
