The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t have the smoothest outing in their midday matchup against the Washington Wizards, but they once again showed why they’ve been one of the most resilient teams in the league. Already shorthanded without Jalen Williams and Lu Dort, the game took another unexpected turn when Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, and Ajay Mitchell were all ejected following a scuffle. What could have easily unraveled into a frustrating loss instead became another example of Oklahoma City’s composure.

For much of the afternoon, the game remained closer than expected. Washington hung around, capitalizing on the Thunder’s disrupted rotations and the unusual flow of the game. But as they’ve done all season, Oklahoma City eventually settled in, got back to their brand of basketball, and created separation late to secure a comfortable win.

Here are the three reasons for the win. 

The foundation of the Thunder’s win started on the glass. Oklahoma City controlled the rebounding battle in a big way, finishing with a 55-34 advantage, including 17 offensive rebounds. In a game where rhythm was sometimes hard to come by and the score stayed tight for long stretches, those extra possessions proved to be invaluable.

The Thunder consistently gave themselves second chances, extending possessions and putting added pressure on the Wizards’ defense. Those offensive boards not only led to extra points but also disrupted Washington’s ability to get out and run. On the defensive end, Oklahoma City did a strong job of finishing possessions, limiting second chance opportunities for the Wizards.

As the game wore on, that physical edge began to show. The Thunder’s effort on the glass wore down Washington and helped Oklahoma City gradually take control. When the moment came to create separation, it was their rebounding that helped push them over the hump.

Another major factor in the win was Oklahoma City’s dominance in the paint. The Thunder made a clear effort to attack the rim from the opening tip, and that approach resulted in a commanding 64-40 advantage in points in the paint.

Even with a depleted rotation, Oklahoma City stayed aggressive. Their guards and wings consistently got downhill, forcing the Wizards’ defense to collapse and opening up high percentage scoring opportunities. Whether it was in transition or the half court, the Thunder prioritized getting to the rim and finishing strong.

This constant pressure made it difficult for Washington to get comfortable defensively. The Thunder didn’t settle for contested jump shots; instead, they dictated the terms by living in the paint. That not only led to efficient scoring but also helped stabilize the offense during moments when the game threatened to swing.

By controlling the interior, Oklahoma City established a physical tone that the Wizards struggled to match, especially as the game progressed into the second half.

Despite the chaotic nature of the game, Oklahoma City’s offense never lost their identity. The Thunder relied on their trademark ball and player movement to generate quality looks, finishing with 31 assists while shooting 53.8% from the field.

The ball rarely stuck. Players made quick decisions, trusted each other, and consistently found the open man. That unselfish approach made it difficult for Washington to lock in defensively, particularly with the Thunder constantly attacking from different angles.

Even after losing three players to ejection, Oklahoma City maintained its composure. There was no shift toward isolation heavy basketball or forcing bad shots. Instead, they stayed disciplined, continued to move the ball, and allowed their system to create offense.

As the game entered its final stages, that execution began to separate them. Good possessions turned into great shots, and great shots turned into a comfortable lead.

In the end, this was far from a perfect performance, but it was an impressive one given the circumstances. The Thunder overcame injuries, ejections, and an unexpectedly competitive opponent by leaning into what they do best. Through rebounding, paint dominance, and unselfish offense, they turned a potentially tricky game into another win, continuing to build momentum as the season progresses.