Thunder Lose to Trail Blazers, Ending NBA’s Last Undefeated Streak
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, previously the NBA's last undefeated team, fell 121-119 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Despite holding leads up to 22 points in the first half, the Thunder were unable to secure the win.
Key Game Details
- The Thunder entered the game with an 8-1 record and had won 16 straight games against Portland before this loss.
- Oklahoma City played without injured starters Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren.
- Isaiah Joe missed a crucial three-point shot in the final seconds that would have tied the game.
Final Moments
"Oklahoma City grabbed the rebound off the Joe miss, and Joe was fouled making a 2-point attempt with 0.5 second left. Joe made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second, but Blazers center Robert Williams grabbed the rebound as time expired."
Game Context and Player Highlights
The Thunder played their second game in two nights, having beaten the LA Clippers in Los Angeles the day before, and looked fatigued especially in the fourth quarter where the Blazers scored 40 points.
Portland’s strong start to the season includes wins over teams like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and now the Thunder.
- Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 26 points despite missing his first 11 shots.
- Jrue Holiday added 22 points.
- Jerami Grant came off the bench to score 20 points.
Author's Summary
The Thunder's undefeated streak ended as they fell short against a resilient Trail Blazers squad, showcasing Portland's early-season strength and Oklahoma City's fatigue from back-to-back games.
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