Thunder Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Celtics

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a playoff spot following a 118-112 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

The Thunder won both their games against the Celtics this season.

“It’s huge. Because [the Celtics have] done it, because they’ve done what we’re trying to do, the games against them are always going to be heightened. They’re always going to be a little bit more exciting. They, like I said, achieved what we are trying to accomplish, and there’s no better test in the NBA,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after the game.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists in 39 minutes. Chet Holmgren added 23 points and 15 rebounds.

The Thunder won the game without Jalen Williams.

The Celtics shot 20-63 from 3, with Joe Mazzulla saying his team got good looks throughout the game.

“I thought we got amazing looks. I mean, that’s just the shell of their defense. They protect the paint first. They fight, they try to get out, their 2-on-1 reads were really good. So I thought we generated relatively great looks throughout most of the game,” said Mazzulla.

The Celtics attempted 47 catch-and-shoot 3s in the game, second most in franchise history.