The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder emphatically ended their brief losing streak, overpowering the visiting Philadelphia 76ers with a decisive 129-104 victory on Monday, December 29, 2025 (Philippine Time). Playing in front of their home crowd at the Paycom Center, the Thunder shook off two consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs with a dominant second-half performance.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Win
After a tightly contested first half that saw Oklahoma City cling to a narrow 64-62 lead, the game transformed completely after halftime. The Thunder came out with renewed offensive firepower in the third quarter, quickly expanding their advantage into double digits. A crucial 11-0 run midway through the period broke the game open, and the Thunder never looked back, cruising to a comfortable win. They outscored the 76ers 65-42 in the second half, showcasing their championship pedigree.
Star Power and Balanced Scoring Lead OKC
The Thunder, who improved their league-leading record to an impressive 27-5, were spearheaded by a stellar performance from big man Chet Holmgren, who poured in a game-high 29 points. Reigning regular season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander provided strong support with 27 points. The scoring was well-distributed, with Aaron Wiggins adding 15 points, Jalen Williams contributing 14 points, and Ajay Mitchell chipping in 13 points. Jalen Williams also electrified the crowd with a powerful layup during the action.
76ers Struggle Without Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers, who fell to a 16-14 record (sixth in the Eastern Conference), fought hard but missed the presence of their star center Joel Embiid, who was sidelined for injury management. Tyrese Maxey led their effort with 28 points, but no other Philadelphia player scored more than 13 points. The team's chances were severely hampered by 14 turnovers in the second half alone, which the Thunder expertly converted into 31 points off turnovers.
This commanding victory reasserts the Thunder's dominance in the NBA, while the 76ers will look to regroup and find consistency as they navigate the season without their MVP candidate for key games.
