The Oklahoma City Thunder came back from a game that was tied 102-102 for the entire game to take down the Boston Celtics, 104-102, in the last second of overtime in Paycom Center. This Celtics vs Thunder game lived up to the hype and also had a lot of lead changes, ties and a night that will be remembered for one reason—one player’s place in NBA history.
Quick Score Snapshot
| Quarter | Celtics | Thunder |
| Q1 | 28 | 27 |
| Q2 | 31 | 29 |
| Q3 | 24 | 24 |
| Q4 | 19 | 24 |
| Final | 102 | 104 |
Both sides would never get more than a few points back in the fourth quarter, making for a tight matchup.
Game-Defining Moment
The final score wasn’t the headline of this game, it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In the third, SGA went 20-plus points with a mid-range shot that dropped on the 7:04 mark of the final quarter, extending his streak that Wilt Chamberlain held since his debut career-high 127 points in 1963.
He poured in 35 points, dished out 9 assists and grabbed 6 boards to finish the night playing with high efficiency and imposing pressure against a Celtics defense that was lacking in several areas.
How the Game Was Won
It was at the finish that this one was settled. Trailing by a dozen points, Jaylen Brown secured a turnaround jumper to tie the game at 102 with less than 25 seconds left in the game. It was a missed three on the next possession, but Chet Holmgren was in for the offensive rebound, which resulted in a foul with less than a second remaining.
He then calmly made both of his free throws to put and extend the lead to 104-102 for OKC. The final opportunity – an extended three-point shot off of an inbounds play – came from Boston but was missed at the buzzer, giving the Thunder victory.
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Standout Performances
Boston Celtics:
- Jaylen Brown: 34 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 13-of-14 from the free throw line
- Lancefield, steering the ship, 14 points.Payton Pritchard: 14 points, entering into a starting position.
- Baylor Scheierman: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists in his first career start
Oklahoma City Thunder:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points on 9 assists, 6 rebounds and stole the show for the Raptors.
- Chet Holmgren: 12 points, 8 rebounds and the game-winning free throws
- Luguentz Dort: 8 points on his defensive effort with the ball on the ground.
Context & Injuries
Both sides were stripped of players. The Celtics were missing Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Derrick White (knee) and Brown had to take over the offense. The Thunder also were missing some rotation parts, but still managed to clinch the victory. The game was significant because Oklahoma City was one of the league’s best teams and Boston remained a definite playoff threat.
What’s Next
The two sides will play again on March 25 in Boston. This one was that close, so the rematch should be a must mark on the calendar, particularly since both teams are in postseason contention.
Final Word
The Celtics and the Thunder duel did not disappoint, as it was a 2-point duel that went down in the last second. Three stars were of course in field, but it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s record-breaking night that made the headlines, and Boston’s battle without three starters was as compelling. This will likely be an early look at a possible preview of the Finals later this season as Oklahoma City will be the winner of the game, with a rematch scheduled on March 25 in Boston.
FAQs
1.Who won the Celtics vs Thunder game on March 12, 2026?
The Oklahoma City Thunder made it 104-102 with Chet Holmgren’s free throws in the final second.
2.What did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander break?
He has extended Wilt Chamberlain’s record of games with 20 or more points in his streak to 127.
3.Was Jayson Tatum in this game?
No, Tatum sat out for Achilles, and Derrick White was also unable to play with a knee injury.
4.When is the next Celtics/Thunder meeting?
The two sides will face off once again on March 25 in Boston.
5.How many points did the team score in each quarter?
Boston took a lead in the first two quarters, 28-27, 31-29, before a tie, 24-24, in the third, and finally a big run in the fourth, 24-19, in favor of OKC.
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