The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder showcased a balanced offensive attack to secure a decisive 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, December 1, 2025 (Philippine Time). This win avenged the Thunder's sole loss of the season, which came against these same Trail Blazers back on November 5.
Historic Performance from the MVP
As has become the standard, the Thunder were piloted by the reigning regular season and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He poured in a team-high 26 points, marking an incredible 93rd consecutive game where he has scored 20 or more points. This phenomenal streak is now the second-longest in NBA history, trailing only the legendary 126-game run by Wilt Chamberlain that spanned from October 1961 to January 1963.
The Thunder's supporting cast provided ample firepower to secure the important road win. Chet Holmgren contributed 19 points, while Ajay Mitchell added 17 points. Jalen Williams scored 16 points, Isaiah Joe had 15 points, and Luquentz Dort finished with 10 points.
Overcoming Adversity and a Strong Blazers Effort
Oklahoma City managed this victory despite being without their starting center, Isaiah Hartenstein, who was sidelined with a calf injury. The game was tightly contested for three quarters, with the Thunder holding only a two-point lead heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter, however, belonged entirely to the champions. They opened the frame with a blistering 8-0 run and never looked back, systematically controlling the game's tempo to close out the win.
Portland, which has now lost 18 of its last 19 meetings with Oklahoma City, was led by a spectacular performance from Deni Avdija. He recorded a triple-double with 31 points, a season-best 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Toumani Camara supported with 19 points, Jerami Grant scored 18, Kris Murray had 13, and Caleb Love added 12 points.
Record-Breaking Start to the Season
With this result, the Thunder improved their league-best record to an astounding 20-1. This marks the best start to an NBA season since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors began 24-0. The loss dropped the Portland Trail Blazers to an 8-12 record for the 2025-26 campaign.
The victory solidifies Oklahoma City's dominance early in the season as they continue to build momentum in their title defense. The team's ability to win on the road, overcome a key injury, and avenge their only defeat sends a strong message to the rest of the league.
