The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking over the NBA. They are the best team in the Western Conference. They are nearly unbeatable. And they are proving every night that they are championship material. Wednesday night in Boston was no different. It felt like an early NBA Finals matchup. The defending champions faced the league’s hottest team. It was a game that had everything—intensity, star power, and a battle between two of the best teams in basketball.
Unofficial NBA Champions Final Shows the Thunder’s Strength as They Dominate the Celtics and Prove They Are the Team to Beat This Season
This game was a statement. The Thunder wanted to show the world that they are ready for the biggest stage. They did just that. Oklahoma City started strong, scoring the first nine points. They controlled the game early. The Celtics fought back, but every time they made a push, the Thunder had an answer.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unstoppable in the unofficial NBA Champions Final. He scored 34 points and led the way. He proved again that he is one of the best players in the NBA. Chet Holmgren had a monster night. He put up 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. He played with confidence and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. The chemistry between them is growing. This duo is dangerous.
The Celtics came in hot. They had won five straight games. They had been rolling. Jayson Tatum had another great performance with 33 points. He tried to take over. Al Horford stepped up with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Derrick White added 22 points. But even with those numbers, Boston could not get it done. The Thunder played better. They played smarter. They played like a team that knows how to win the unofficial NBA Champions Final.
Highlights the Thunder’s Ability to Close Out Games as They Control the Fourth Quarter Against a Tough Boston Team
Championship teams know how to close. That is exactly what the Thunder did. The game was tight. The Celtics kept pushing. Tatum tied it at 88-all at the end of the third quarter. But Oklahoma City stayed calm. They knew what they had to do.
It was 98-98 in the fourth. The crowd was loud. Boston had momentum. Then the Thunder took over. They went on an 8-0 run. And they silenced the TD Garden crowd. They never let the Celtics take the lead. That is what great teams do. They step up when it matters most, like for the Unofficial NBA Champions Final.
Boston fired away from deep all night. They attempted 63 three-pointers. That is a franchise record. They hit 20 of them. It was not enough. They needed more than just three-point shooting. The Thunder played better defense. They made key stops. They executed when it mattered.
Oklahoma City Is More Than Just a Regular-Season Team—They Are a Championship Contender
People have been watching the Thunder all season. Some have doubted them. Some have questioned if they can sustain this level of play. This game answered those doubts. Oklahoma City is the real deal. They have won 17 of their last 18 games. That is not luck. That is not a fluke. It’s dominance in the Unofficial NBA Champions Final.
They swept the season series against Boston. They already beat Denver, their closest competition in the West. Now they have beaten the best teams in the league. This team is built to win. They are young, they are talented. They are hungry.
Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level. Holmgren is proving that he is a game-changer. The supporting cast is stepping up. They play with confidence. And they trust each other. They have the depth to compete with anyone. The playoffs are coming, and they are ready.
Unofficial NBA Champions Final Leaves Fans Wanting More as a Potential Thunder-Celtics Finals Matchup Could Be the Best Series in Years
If this was just a preview, then the real Finals could be incredible. The Celtics are still one of the best teams in the NBA. They have the experience and the firepower. They will not go down easily.
Tatum is a superstar. Jaylen Brown was not at his best in this game, but he will be a factor in the playoffs. Kristaps Porzi??is will be a key piece when fully healthy. Boston has the talent to defend its title. But now they know they have real competition.
The Thunder are coming for the crown. They are fearless. They play hard. And they play smart. They are not afraid of the moment. They just walked into Boston and beat the defending champs. And they did it with poise. They did it with confidence. They did it because they believe they can win it all.
June is still months away. A lot can happen. But if these two teams meet again, it could be one of the best Finals in years. Fans should hope for it. The league should hope for it. This game was just the beginning.
