BREAKING: Thunder torch Jazz 131 to 101, tie franchise win streak at 15 without SGA
The hottest team in basketball just got hotter. Oklahoma City rolled into Salt Lake City and blitzed Utah 131 to 101 on December 7, tying the franchise record with a 15th straight win. They did it without MVP guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they did it with style. The Thunder hit 21 threes, ran away with a 45 point first quarter, and turned the night into a statement.
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Threes, pace, and poise
I watched Oklahoma City spray the floor with shooters and hit the Jazz from every angle. The Thunder shot 58 percent from the field and 21 for 42 from deep. Ten of the eleven Thunder players who saw the floor made a three. Utah had no answer for the spacing or the extra pass.
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams took the lead. Each scored 25. Holmgren added nine boards and changed shots at the rim. Williams handled the keys with calm, drove the lane, and found shooters on time. Aaron Wiggins poured in 19 off the bench. Big man Branden Carlson gave a hard-nosed 13, his season high, and kept the pressure on the glass.
Franchise streak tied at 15. Oklahoma City stands at 23 and 1.
Defense set the tone early
The first three minutes told the story. Oklahoma City opened on a 13 to 1 burst and never looked back. The Thunder forced 17 Utah turnovers and cashed them in for 27 points. Their length bothered every dribble. Their closeouts were tight. The bench kept the energy high, and the starters returned to finish the job.
The first quarter was a blitz. Forty five points. Quick outlets, rim runs, and kick out threes. That rush broke the game open and drained the building. The Jazz found a few answers in the second half, but the gap never felt in doubt.
Utah played short as well. Lauri Markkanen missed the game with illness. Kyle Filipkowski battled to 21 points and 10 rebounds. Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks each scored 20. The Jazz kept working, but the Thunder’s waves of pressure wore them down.
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Depth that travels
This win says as much about culture as it does about shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat with left elbow bursitis, yet the offense kept humming. Ball movement beat blitzes. Role players stepped into star shots. The locker room message matched the floor. Next man up, same standard.
Jalen Williams handled more creation and never forced the issue. Chet stretched Utah’s bigs to the arc, then rolled hard when the Jazz switched. Wiggins and Carlson hit timely threes and sprinted the lanes. Ten different shooters hitting from outside is not luck. It is structure, confidence, and reps.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not play, left elbow bursitis. Oklahoma City did not need him to control the game tonight.
What this means for the big picture
Fifteen straight is not a fluke. This is a complete team with a clear identity. They defend, they run, they pass, and they punish mistakes. At 23 and 1, they look every bit like a top seed and a true title favorite.
The betting angle is simple. A team that shoots this clean, forces turnovers, and wins big on the road is a market mover. Doing it without the MVP sharpens that edge. Opponents cannot game plan for one star. They have to guard everyone.
What stood out tonight
- Forty five first quarter points set the route
- Twenty one made threes, from ten different players
- Twenty seven points off Utah’s 17 turnovers
- Bench surge, led by Wiggins and Carlson
The culture snapshot
You could feel the belief on the visitors’ bench. Players cheered extra passes. Bigs ran to the corners to space the floor. Guards hit the glass. It felt like a college team with NBA firepower, and the Jazz never pulled them out of rhythm. Nights like this build trust that lasts into May and June.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander play?
A: No. He was out with left elbow bursitis. The Thunder won behind Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
Q: What record did the Thunder tie?
A: They tied the franchise mark with 15 straight wins.
Q: What is the Thunder’s record now?
A: Oklahoma City is 23 and 1.
Q: Who led the scoring?
A: Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams scored 25 each for the Thunder. Kyle Filipkowski led Utah with 21 and 10 rebounds.
Q: What swung the game?
A: The first quarter burst, the 21 made threes, and 27 points off Jazz turnovers.
Conclusion: The Thunder just sent a loud message. Their system travels, their depth is real, and their ceiling is a title. If they set a new franchise streak with their next outing, do not be surprised. This group is built to keep winning, with or without their MVP. 🔥
