Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Joe powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 126-101 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Friday night. The win improved the Thunder’s record to 31-6, maintaining their position as one of the league’s top teams.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 39 points in just 29 minutes, shooting an impressive 15-of-21 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Joe contributed 31 points off the bench, including 23 in the first half, connecting on 8-of-11 three-point attempts.
The Thunder wasted no time establishing dominance, orchestrating a 36-12 run in the first half that propelled them to a 70-43 halftime lead. Their sharp shooting and ball movement neutralized the Knicks’ defense and silenced the Madison Square Garden crowd.
The Knicks, who dropped to 25-14, struggled on both ends of the floor. Jalen Brunson scored a team-high 27 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 23, but New York failed to mount a serious challenge after falling behind early. Mikal Bridges endured a rough night, missing all nine of his shot attempts, including seven from beyond the arc.
Oklahoma City’s strong response came just two days after their 15-game winning streak ended in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Joe’s hot shooting in the first half helped the Thunder build a comfortable lead, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficient scoring ensured there would be no letdown in the second half. Oklahoma City’s defense held the Knicks to just 38.5% shooting, including a dismal 4-of-31 (12.9%) from three-point range.
The Thunder’s bench also played a key role in the win. Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams combined for 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Jaylin Williams grabbed 10 boards in limited minutes. Oklahoma City’s depth proved too much for a Knicks team still searching for consistency after losing four of their last five games.
New York’s struggles were compounded by turnovers and poor execution. The Knicks committed 10 turnovers and were booed multiple times by their home crowd in what could be described as one of their most disappointing performances of the season.
