The Oklahoma City Thunder set a new franchise record on Tuesday night as they picked up their 8th consecutive win to open up the 2025-26 season. After a slow start in LA against the Clippers in which they trailed by 13 points in the first quarter, the Thunder rallied to cut the deficit to just 1 entering halftime. OKC won the third quarter in a similar fashion, taking an 8-point lead into the final frame, and by then, it was too little too late from the Clippers as the Thunder ended up winning 126-107.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat for the entirety of the fourth quarter for his fourth straight contest as he racked up 30 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Five other Thunder players finished with double digits in scoring, including Isaiah Joe, who had the hot hand off the bench, knocking down 6-of-10 (60%) from downtown on his way to 22 points.
Now the Thunder turns its attention to the Portland Trail Blazers, whom they face on Wednesday night in the second game of a back-to-back and the second game of a four-game road trip. Portland currently sits at 4-3 on the season, which is probably exceeding preseason expectations considering some of the competition they have already seen. Still, no other team matches up quite like the Oklahoma City Thunder, and despite Portland’s high-scoring offense so far, the Blazers’ defense hasn’t done a great job at stiffening on defense. It would be safe to expect another high-scoring affair, but when it comes down to the end of the game, the Thunder has the dogs to get the job done.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 9 PM CT
Location: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter (Portland, Oregon)
Television: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Portland Trail Blazers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Cason Wallace
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Blazers
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Shaedon Sharpe
- SF: Toumani Camara
- PF: Deni Avdija
- C: Donovan Clingan
Injury Report
Thunder
- Luguentz Dort (right shoulder contusion) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (right wrist surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Kenrich Williams (left knee surgical recovery) is OUT.
Blazers
- Scoot Henderson (torn left hamstring) is OUT.
- Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury recovery) is OUT.
- Shaedon Sharpe (strained left calf) is PROBABLE.
- Matisse Thybulle (left thumb ligament tear). is OUT.
- Blake Wesley (fractured right foot is OUT).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 41-26 (22-11 at home, 19-15 on the road) against the Trail Blazers in the regular season and 1-4 (1-1 at home, 0-3 on the road) in the playoffs.
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Trail Blazers 8 times, lost it 6 times, and tied 3 times.
- The Thunder went 4-0 (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road) against the Blazers last season.
- The Thunder has won 16 straight against the Blazers, including 8 straight in Portland.