Key Takeaways:
- Chet Holmgren scored 28 points, matching a career high with six 3-pointers, and collected eight rebounds
- Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 103-100 win over the New York Knicks, marking their fourth consecutive victory
- Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby missed crucial three-point attempts in the final moments as the Knicks’ own three-game winning run ended
Match Analysis
Oklahoma City Thunder managed to edge out the New York Knicks 103-100 in a tense contest at Madison Square Garden. Chet Holmgren led the charge for the visitors, finishing with 28 points and eight rebounds while matching his personal best with six shots converted from beyond the arc. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander provided strong support, registering 26 points. Lu Dort also played a significant role, chipping in with 16 points as the Thunder held on late for their fourth straight win, ending the Knicks’ sequence of three consecutive victories.
That’s game in the Garden ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XJb7qucSTb
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 5, 2026
Second-Half Drama and Key Plays
Despite leading by 15 points in the third quarter, Oklahoma City saw their advantage erased following a resurgent spell from the Knicks, who hit 40 points in the third period. A 24-9 run for New York, capped off by Jalen Brunson’s friendly-bounce 3-pointer, levelled affairs, while the hosts went ahead on Mikal Bridges’ three-pointer with just 1.2 seconds remaining in the quarter, bringing the tally to 80-77.
In the closing moments, both Brunson and OG Anunoby had opportunities to tie the match with three-point attempts, but neither was able to convert as the Thunder maintained a narrow lead down the stretch.
Player Performances
Holmgren started strongly, pouring in 14 points in the opening quarter, knocking down four three-pointers and going 5 for 7 from the field. Notably, his only two missed jump shots were both blocked. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact was evident across the court.
For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a powerful double-double, amassing 17 points and 17 rebounds. Jalen Brunson contributed 16 points and distributed a season-high 15 assists, but suffered from inefficiency, converting just 5 of 18 attempts. OG Anunoby also added 16 points.
Stats Comparison
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | 28 | 8 | 2 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 26 | 3 | 8 |
| Lu Dort | Thunder | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 17 | 17 | 1 |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 16 | 3 | 15 |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 16 | 3 | 0 |
Game Flow and Turning Points
Oklahoma City established control by racing out to a 44-31 advantage, but failed to score for five minutes, enabling New York to rally. Holmgren put a stop to the drought by sinking two three-pointers in the final 46 seconds of the first half, sending the Thunder into the interval with a 50-40 lead.
The first match-up between last season’s NBA champions and a Knicks squad which came within two wins of meeting them in the NBA Finals was fiercely contested and saw tensions rise early. The Knicks were left frustrated when they believed referees had missed what would have been Gilgeous-Alexander’s third foul in the opening quarter, following a collision with Brunson, leading to an animated response from coach Mike Brown, who was handed his first technical foul as Knicks coach.
What’s Next
- Oklahoma City Thunder will host Golden State on Saturday
- New York Knicks are set to begin a five-game road stretch, starting at Denver on Friday
