Thunder vs Celtics: A Finals-Worthy Battle That Reveals Their Strengths and Weaknesses
The Oklahoma City Thunder made a loud statement in their 118-112 win over the Boston Celtics, showing once again that they’re not just a team of the future—they’re built to win now. In this highly anticipated Thunder vs Celtics matchup at TD Garden, the Thunder faced off against the top team in the East and walked away with their second win over Boston this season, completing the season sweep.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved why he’s an MVP frontrunner with 34 points, while Chet Holmgren was a force inside, finishing with 23 points and 15 rebounds. The Thunder, now 22-1 against Eastern Conference teams, continue to dominate opponents across the league.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 33 points, but the Celtics struggled to close the game, missing key three-pointers down the stretch. Boston attempted a wild 63 shots from deep, tying an NBA record for a non-overtime game, but cooled off late. The Thunder outscored them 20-14 in the final minutes, sealing an impressive road win.
OKC Keeps Proving They’re the Real Deal
Analyst Tim Bontemps believes the Thunder should now be considered Boston’s biggest threat to the title. For much of the season, people have questioned whether OKC has the experience to go deep in the playoffs. But after beating the Celtics twice—even while missing key players in both matchups—it’s time to stop doubting them.
The Thunder’s biggest weapon is their depth. Holmgren’s ability to dominate the paint, paired with Isaiah Hartenstein’s hustle, gave them a huge advantage in stretches when Gilgeous-Alexander was resting. Their ability to adjust and win games in different ways makes them a serious title contender.
As for the Celtics, they’re still one of the best teams in the league, but they looked vulnerable against OKC. If there’s any team that has shown how to disrupt Boston’s game plan, it’s the Thunder. And despite being the youngest team in the NBA, head coach Mark Daigneault has them playing with incredible poise.
Live by the Three, Die by the Three
Brian Windhorst pointed out the Celtics’ biggest weakness: their dependence on the three-point shot. They shot their way into the lead early but shot their way out of the game in the second half, going just 5-for-27 from deep after halftime.
When their threes aren’t falling, Boston struggles to find other ways to score. Kristaps Porzińģis, who missed the game, could have been a difference-maker with his post-up ability, but his absence left the Celtics with few options inside. Meanwhile, the Thunder feasted in the paint, scoring on 19 of their 22 attempts at the rim.
Boston is still the team to beat in the East, but this game showed how their reliance on three-pointers can backfire. When those shots aren’t dropping, they don’t always have a backup plan.
Source: Takeaways from Thunder-Celtics: An NBA Finals preview?
What’s Going to Define These Teams’ Playoff Runs
Both teams are headed for deep playoff runs, but different factors will determine how far they go.
For Boston, the biggest concern is staying healthy. When fully intact, the Celtics are nearly impossible to beat. But injuries could throw off their rhythm, and they have a habit of letting big leads slip away. In a seven-game series, focus will be key.
For Oklahoma City, the question is whether they have enough offensive firepower outside of Gilgeous-Alexander. Their defense is elite—they have length, versatility, and strong rim protection. But on offense, they rely heavily on isolation play, ranking near the bottom in assists per game. They also don’t have a true knockdown shooter from deep. If a team finds a way to slow down Gilgeous-Alexander, can the rest of the roster step up?
The Western Conference is stacked, so the Thunder won’t have an easy road. The Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Warriors have all played them tough. Meanwhile, the Celtics likely won’t face a real challenge until the Conference Finals, where the Cavaliers loom as their biggest obstacle.
Looking Ahead—Who Has the Brighter Future
If we’re talking about the next five years, no team is better positioned than the Thunder. They already have an elite core and an absurd number of draft picks. If they want, they can keep developing talent or trade for another star. Barring injuries, they could be dominant for the next decade.
Boston’s situation is trickier. Their core is built to win now, but their financial situation is a question mark. With a payroll set to exceed $500 million next season—including luxury tax penalties—the team’s future depends on its ownership situation. A sale is underway, and the new owners may not want to spend big to keep this group together.
Windhorst pointed out that this financial issue is one of the main reasons the team is for sale in the first place. If the new ownership group looks to cut costs, the Celtics could be forced to make some tough roster decisions.
The Thunder, meanwhile, are in an enviable position. They have young stars, cap flexibility, and a future full of opportunities. Their only concern will be keeping their core together when contract extensions start piling up.
If These Teams Meet in the Finals, It Would Be a War
A Celtics-Thunder NBA Finals would be one of the most exciting matchups in years. Boston is the seasoned powerhouse with championship experience. Oklahoma City is the rising contender trying to take the throne.
It would also be a battle of styles. The Celtics live and die by the three, while the Thunder have the best three-point defense in the league. On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander is the most dangerous isolation scorer in the NBA, and Boston has an elite perimeter defense.
With so much talent and depth on both sides, this series could go the full seven games. The NBA hasn’t had a Game 7 in the Finals since 2016, but if these two teams meet, that could change.
Wednesday’s game gave us a glimpse of what could be an unforgettable Finals. If both teams take care of business in the playoffs, we could see this matchup again on the biggest stage—and it could be the beginning of an incredible rivalry.
Read More: Joey Bosa $12M Deal with Bills: High Risk, High Reward