Oklahoma City Thunder secured another impressive victory in the NBA, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 122-95 on Monday. The Thunder’s dominant performance, part of the 2025-2026 season, was spearheaded by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who showcased his exceptional talent.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 37 points, converting an efficient 13 of 18 attempts from the field. This victory marks the Thunder’s 17th win of the season against a single loss. This outstanding start places them among an elite group of only five teams in the last 30 years to achieve a 17-1 record within their first 18 games, joining the ranks of the previous season’s Cleveland Cavaliers, the 2015 Golden State Warriors, the 2002 Dallas Mavericks, and the legendary 1996 Chicago Bulls.
Adding to the Thunder’s impressive showing, reserve player Ajai Mitchell contributed 20 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting performance, including two successful three-pointers. Isaiah Hartenstein also made his presence felt with 15 rebounds. For the Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant led the team with 21 points.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their strong run of form, notching their fourth consecutive win and their 12th in 16 games, with a narrow 108-106 victory over the Utah Jazz. Luka Dončić delivered a stellar performance for the Lakers, scoring 33 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. LeBron James returned to action on the road for the first time this season after recovering from sciatica, contributing 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in 34 minutes, despite struggling with his three-point shot.
Austin Reaves also played a crucial role, adding 22 points and 10 rebounds. On the Jazz side, Keyonte George led the team with 27 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, but a missed three-pointer in the final seconds prevented a potential victory for the home team. The Lakers’ resilience and the Thunder’s dominance are making waves across the NBA. Stay tuned to DZWatch for more updates.
