Key Takeaways:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 32 points as the Thunder overcame the Clippers 122-101
- Oklahoma City rebounded from their defeat by the San Antonio Spurs to move to 25-2 overall and 13-0 at home
- Los Angeles committed 28 turnovers in James Harden’s absence, resulting in 39 Thunder points
Thunder Bounce Back in Dominant Fashion
The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a commanding display on Thursday night, securing a 122-101 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. After suffering just their second defeat of the season last Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs – a loss that halted their 16-game franchise-record winning run – the Thunder returned with renewed energy and defensive prowess.
Key Player Performances
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring with 32 points before enjoying a rest during the fourth quarter. He shot 13-for-24 from the floor while also contributing seven rebounds and six assists. This outing marked Gilgeous-Alexander’s 98th consecutive game with 20 or more points, the second-longest streak in NBA history.
Chet Holmgren added 22 points, benefiting from a productive first half in which he tallied 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Jalen Williams provided further support with 20 points. For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard registered 22 points, while John Collins also hit the 20-point mark.
Went to work in Loud City 💪 pic.twitter.com/NxLI7DNHFI
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 19, 2025
Turnovers Prove Costly for Clippers
The Clippers felt the absence of James Harden, their leading scorer at 26 points per game, as he missed out through a bruised left calf. The team struggled in his absence, committing 28 turnovers – which the Thunder converted into 39 points. Cason Wallace played a key role defensively for Oklahoma City, accounting for five of their 18 total steals. In contrast, the hosts limited their own mistakes to just eight turnovers.
| Team | Points | Turnovers | Steals | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 122 | 8 | 18 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 101 | 28 | 6 | Kawhi Leonard (22) |
Game Flow and Statistics
Los Angeles maintained the upper hand for most of the opening quarter and early stages of the second before Oklahoma City gained momentum. With a 64-55 lead at the interval, the Thunder accelerated in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 39-28. Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 19 points during this period, and the team shot 55.6% from the field, building a 103-83 advantage going into the final period.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Clippers are set to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. The Thunder will look to extend their strong form as they travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
