Following the Thunder’s disappointing Christmas Day loss, Oklahoma City had a chance to get back on track and build some momentum moving forward Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a game that felt like the Thunder was going to come out with more energy than it had in the last few games, especially with so much of the recent struggles stemming from a lack of intensity we’re not used to seeing from this team.
In this contest against Philadelphia, the Thunder came out strong. Both teams shot the ball well in the first quarter and really the first half overall was a back-and-forth battle. Tyrese Maxey was the star of the show for the Sixers early with 23 points in the first half, and he kept them in it as the game turned into trading buckets for much of the opening two quarters.
But the third quarter was the Thunder’s, like it has been so many times this season and even last season. Oklahoma City broke it open by exploding for 38 points while holding the Sixers to 24 in the third, then finished it off with a 27-18 final frame to win 129-104.
For a full second half, it looked like the Thunder team that had been taking the floor before this recent stretch of issues. Chet Holmgren finished with 29 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points, five assists and two steals. Jalen Williams added 14 points, six assists and three steals. Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell combined for 28 points off the bench, and those reserve buckets were something the Thunder has been missing during the cold streak.
Maxey was great in the first half, then was held to 5 points in the second half, which was a key to this victory. The Thunder’s defense strapped down and made a statement in the final two quarters.
From here, the Thunder stays home and plays Monday night against the Atlanta Hawks on the second night of a back-to-back, looking to stack another win and start building something that can snowball.