### Thunder's Dominance Continues: Gilgeous-Alexander Shines in 124-95 Victory Over Trail Blazers The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their strength with a decisive 124-95 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 1, 2026. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, scoring 30 points in just three quarters, marking his 105th consecutive game with at least 20 points. The Thunder's defense was pivotal, converting 25 turnovers from the Trail Blazers into 28 points. This win marked the Thunder's third consecutive victory, solidifying their position as a formidable team in the NBA this season. Ajay Mitchell contributed significantly off the bench with 17 points, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 13 and 12 points, respectively, with Holmgren also recording a season-high six blocks. For Portland, Sidy Cissoko was the standout with 19 points, but the team struggled overall against the Thunder's relentless offense and defense [https://apnews.com/article/thunder-trail-blazers-score-sga-ce2c14ce192d3148afb9f385cff1871e, https://www.tsn.ca/nba/article/gilgeous-alexander-scores-30-points-as-thunder-top-trail-blazers]. ### Breakdown of the Thunder's Recent Performance 1. **Game Highlights**: - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring prowess continues, with 30 points against the Trail Blazers. - The Thunder's defense capitalized on Portland's turnovers, leading to a significant scoring advantage. - Ajay Mitchell's efficient performance off the bench bolstered the Thunder's offensive output. 2. **Player Contributions**: - Gilgeous-Alexander: 30 points, maintaining a streak of 20+ points for 105 games. - Ajay Mitchell: 17 points, perfect shooting from the field and free-throw line. - Jalen Williams: 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing versatility. - Chet Holmgren: 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks, highlighting defensive skills. 3. **Team Statistics**: - Thunder's points off turnovers: 28 (from 25 Trail Blazers turnovers). - Overall team performance: Strong offensive and defensive synergy leading to a comfortable win. ### Supporting Data and Statistics - **Game Performance**: - **Thunder**: - Points: 124 - Turnovers forced: 25 - Points from turnovers: 28 - **Trail Blazers**: - Points: 95 - Sidy Cissoko: 19 points, leading scorer for Portland. - **Gilgeous-Alexander's Streak**: - 105 consecutive games scoring 20+ points, a remarkable achievement in the NBA. ### Conclusion: Thunder's Rising Trajectory In summary, the Oklahoma City Thunder's recent victory over the Portland Trail Blazers underscores their current form and potential as a leading team in the NBA. **Key takeaways include**: 1. **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional scoring ability** continues to be a cornerstone of the Thunder's success. 2. **Defensive strategies** effectively turned opponent mistakes into scoring opportunities, showcasing the team's overall strength. 3. **Contributions from bench players** like Ajay Mitchell highlight the depth of the Thunder's roster, essential for sustaining performance throughout the season. The Thunder's ability to maintain this momentum will be crucial as they aim for continued success in the upcoming games [https://apnews.com/article/thunder-trail-blazers-score-sga-ce2c14ce192d3148afb9f385cff1871e, https://www.tsn.ca/nba/article/gilgeous-alexander-scores-30-points-as-thunder-top-trail-blazers].