Inside The Thunder

Social Media Reacts: OKC Thunder Clinches Playoff Bid in Historic Win Over Knicks

The Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs with their historic win over the New York Knicks.

Rylan Stiles

Mar 31, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the
Mar 31, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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The Oklahoma City Thunder (52-22) knocked off the New York Knicks (44-30) on Sunday inside of Madison Square Garden. In a back-and-forth game that saw 12 lead changes, seven ties and a plethora of runs.

The Thunder once found themselves down a dozen and nearly doomed themselves with poor free throw shooting and an inability to end possessions as the Knicks hauled down 15 offensive rebounds leading to a jaw-dropping 28-second chance point. Still, the Thunder were able to survive thanks to a turnaround baseline jumper by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the game.

The Thunder superstar returned to the hardwood after a two-game absence due to a quad injury. While the MVP candidate did not have his fastball until his fourth-quarter dagger, Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey picked up Gilgeous-Alexander in a big way.

Giddey made NBA history by logging another Triple-Double in Madison Square Garden. The former sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has visited the Knicks home three times and in each game has logged a triple-double. He becomes just the second player in Thunder history with ten triple-doubles joining Russell Westbrook to accomplish that feat.

Williams produced 33 points, going bucket for bucket with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks to get the Thunder the win. His superstar mid-range pull-ups and hustle plays to start the fourth quarter really turned this game around for Oklahoma City who started the final frame down ten.

With this win, the Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs. This marks their 12th appearance since 2010, the second most trips in the NBA during that span. This victory sent social media ablaze.

Up Next, the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. That game will be a National Broadcast on TNT and the first end of a back-to-back with the Thunder in Boston the next night on ESPN.

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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

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