OKC Thunder Snaps 6-Game Win Streak With Home Loss to Philadelphia 76ers

Despite strong showings from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn't quite defend home court against the streaking Philadelphia 76ers, ultimately dropping the game to break its winning streak.

In a top-5 matchup between the West's No. 2 seed and East's No. 4 seed, both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers needed a win. 

The In-Season Tournament wasn't on the line — nor a definitive spot in the standings, but given how strong the Thunder had looked in the games leading to its home matchup against the reigning MVP, it wanted to prove its dominance.

Through three quarters, that was exactly what it did, but the fourth quarter got away from the NBA's second-youngest team, as it ultimately got out-rebounded and outplayed by the 76ers, falling 127-123 at the end of 48 minutes of action. 

Nov 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends a drive by Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) during the first quarter at Paycom Center / © Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Both squads had a dynamic duo show out, as Philadelphia leaned on Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as much as Oklahoma City leaned on Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The duos combined for 61 and 62 points, respectively, but despite its best efforts, the Thunder couldn't quite get the job done. 

Right away, Embiid got the scoring started with a simple layup, and Holmgren found the bottom of the bucket from behind the arc, which told the story of the first quarter. Back-and-forth action played through the first 12 minutes, as the 76ers attempted to pull away early behind an 11-point lead sparked by Embiid and Nicolas Batum. 

Oklahoma City battled back behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Joe — who struggled from behind the arc in a rare occurrence — to keep the 76ers at bay and eve took a two-point lead into the second quarter. 

More scoring on both ends of the floor kept the game close all the way through the second quarter, with Holmgren hitting another 3-pointer to tie it up with just two minutes to play. A late series of free throws followed for Philadelphia as it took a four-point lead to intermission. 

Then, Holmgren set the tone for the third quarter early. 

Between a dunk and another 3-pointer, the Thunder took back the lead, but it wasn't long before the 76ers took it right back off of an Embiid pull-up jumpshot, and from there, the score remained at a one-basket differential until about three minutes to play. Four different players found the bottom of the bucket for Philadelphia to mount a 13-point lead that was finally interrupted by an Isaiah Joe mid range. 

But the damage had already been done and the momentum had shifted almost completely. Philadelphia took an 11-point lead to the final quarter and protected it well. 

Kenrich Williams and Luguentz Dort scored the first two buckets for the Thunder, but were met with Robert Covington and Maxey as the 76ers refused to let the lead drop below double digits until Oklahoma City finally made it happen with nine minutes to play. But every time the Thunder found the bottom of the bucket, Philadelphia matched, ultimately taking a 127-123 road victory back home with it after some back-and-forth free-throw play down the stretch.

With the loss, the Thunder snap a six-game win streak and fall to 11-5 on the season — still a very positive record. Meanwhile, the 76ers improved to the same record and continue their ascent toward the top of the Eastern Conference.

Next up for Oklahoma City is a road trip to Minnesota to face a red-hot Timberwolves team as it attempts to get back on track. 

Tipoff from Target Center is set for 7 p.m. CST Tuesday.

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