The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant season with a resounding 145-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, marking their 10th consecutive win. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 27 points and 12 assists in just 27 minutes, the Thunder overwhelmed Chicago with a relentless offensive attack and stifling defense.
Isaiah Joe provided a massive spark off the bench, knocking down eight three-pointers en route to a team-high 31 points. Jalen Williams added 23 points, while Josh Giddey filled the stat sheet in his return to Oklahoma City with 15 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.
Thunder Make History Against the East
Oklahoma City’s victory not only strengthened its grip on the NBA’s best record at 63-12 but also cemented a place in history. The Thunder improved to an unprecedented 28-1 against Eastern Conference opponents, setting a new single-season record for the best mark by a Western Conference team.
Their dominance was on full display in the second and third quarters, where they exploded for a combined 85 points. A 36-13 run in the second quarter blew the game open, turning a nine-point contest into a 65-33 Oklahoma City lead. By halftime, the Thunder held a commanding 74-40 advantage and never looked back.
Suffocating Defense Shuts Down Bulls’ Streaking Star
The Bulls entered the game as one of the NBA’s hottest teams, winning nine of their previous 12 games. However, they had no answer for the Thunder’s top-ranked defense. Chicago’s Coby White, who had scored 20 or more points in 15 consecutive games, was held to just seven points on 2-of-5 shooting with four turnovers.
Chicago, which had climbed into playoff positioning with a recent surge, has now lost two straight and slipped behind Miami into 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Key Stats
- Three-Point Shooting: The Thunder drained 23 triples while shooting 53.5% from beyond the arc.
- Scoring Efficiency: Oklahoma City shot 53% from the field and made 18-of-23 free throws.
- Turnovers: The Thunder forced 19 Chicago turnovers while committing just 14 themselves.
- Ball Movement: Oklahoma City dished out 34 assists, demonstrating their unselfish offensive attack.
Up Next
The Thunder will close out their Eastern Conference schedule at home against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, looking to continue their historic run. The Bulls, on the other hand, will try to bounce back quickly as they host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
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