The New York Knicks rolled into Oklahoma City with bad intentions. Riding a 10-game winning streak, they were the hottest team in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, their Western Conference mirror image, the Thunder, were on a 13-game tear of their own.
From the jump, Paycom Center learned the Knicks were no joke. Jalen Brunson, one of the most skilled point guards in the league, put Luguentz Dort to the test, proving why he’s on a very short list of elite playmakers. A whiny Karl-Anthony Towns stayed active in every facet of the game, giving OKC a headache inside and out. And then there’s OG Anunoby—one of the league’s most underrated and productive players—making his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
But here’s the twist: the Thunder’s signature third-quarter surge didn’t happen. The energy in the arena started to deflate, and it felt like OKC’s winning streak was slipping away. Fans braced themselves for the inevitable… until Aaron Wiggins stepped up.
The Thunder-faithful’s proclaimed “Man Who Saved Basketball” rose from a quiet start to his fifth season and almost singlehandedly pulled OKC back from the brink. Wiggins scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, shooting a flawless 5-for-5 from the field and 4-for-4 from deep when the team needed it most.
This was no cakewalk—the Knicks are legit and will get another crack at OKC in Madison Square Garden next week. But once again, the Thunder showed why they’re special: prevailing through adversity, keeping things lighthearted, and refusing to fold when the odds get bleak.
And just like that, the streak lives on.
The game was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen. This story captures it all! Great story and overall coverage!