Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points, and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder opened the fourth quarter with a 17-6 run to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 123-115 for their 12th straight win.
The Trail Blazers led 87-85 after three quarters. Chet Holmgren’s layup put the Thunder ahead for good with 10:57 left. Ajay Mitchell scored 7 points during the run, and they led 102-93 with 6:53 left.
The Trail Blazers got within 107-105 on Kris Murray’s 3-pointer with 2:58 to play, but Holmgren answered with a layup, and the Trail Blazers got no closer.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Trail Blazers 12-3. Gilgeous-Alexander (Clutch Player of the Year, 2025-26) scored 6 of the Thunder’s 12 on 3 for 4 shooting.
Isaiah Joe scored 15 points (9 in the first quarter) off the bench.
For the Trail Blazers, Deni Avdija had 31 points (19 at the free-throw line), 19 rebounds and 10 assists, his fourth career triple-double.
The Thunder shot 48.9% from the field and 34.5% from 3 to the Trail Blazers’ 39.3% and 32.7%. The Trail Blazers forced 12 turnovers, about 5 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The Thunder outscored the Trail Blazers 56-36 in the paint. The Trail Blazers were outscored 19-8 in 5 minutes with Grant, Avdija, Sharpe, Murray and Camara on the floor together. Holmgren fouled out for the Thunder, and Shaedon Sharpe for the Trail Blazers.