⚡ Thunder Strike in H-Town: SGA and Chet Power OKC Past Rockets in Statement Win

HOUSTON — The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant run atop the Western Conference, delivering a commanding 111–91 road victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night at the Toyota Center. In a matchup featuring two of the NBA’s most promising young cores, Oklahoma City separated late with a devastating fourth-quarter surge.

🏆 SGA’s MVP Push Stays on Track

Despite constant defensive attention, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again controlled the tempo with poise and efficiency. SGA finished with 20 points, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, extending his streak of 20-point games while calmly dissecting Houston’s aggressive coverages.

Though the Rockets sent multiple defenders his way, Gilgeous-Alexander consistently made the right read, allowing OKC’s offense to flow smoothly throughout the night.

🛡️ Chet Holmgren Controls the Paint

The highly anticipated battle in the paint belonged to Chet Holmgren. The Thunder big man was nearly flawless, posting 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. His length and timing altered countless Houston shots and made finishing at the rim a constant challenge.

Alperen Şengün fought hard for Houston, recording 14 points and 13 rebounds, but struggled to find consistent success against Holmgren’s elite interior defense.

🔥 Bench Impact: Ajay Mitchell Shines

One of the night’s biggest differences came from Oklahoma City’s depth. Ajay Mitchell provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. His energy and shot-making stretched Houston’s defense and helped maintain OKC’s momentum.

Lu Dort added 13 points while delivering his trademark physical defense on the perimeter, further limiting Houston’s offensive options.

⏱️ Fourth-Quarter Breakdown

Houston stayed competitive through three quarters and even briefly grabbed momentum in the third. But the final period belonged entirely to Oklahoma City. The Thunder closed the game on a decisive 21–4 run, overwhelming the Rockets on both ends of the floor.

The Rockets’ offense stalled, frustration mounted, and Oklahoma City capitalized with disciplined execution and defensive pressure.

📌 The Verdict

With the win, the Thunder (35–7) extended their winning streak to five games, reaffirming their status as the top seed in the Western Conference. Their balance, depth, and defensive versatility continue to separate them from the rest of the pack.

For Houston (23–14), the loss exposed a need for more consistent scoring support beyond their core of Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr. (17 points), and Jalen Green, particularly in late-game situations.

📊 Stat of the Night:

dominated, outscoring Houston’s reserves 42–21, highlighting the Thunder’s depth advantage.