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Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits to ‘failing Celtics test’
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- Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits to ‘failing Celtics test’
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BOSTON — After the Boston Celtics defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder , 119-109, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sang his their praises during Thursday's postgame press conference. Gilgeous-Alexander made NBA history against the Celtics , on March 12, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's record for most consecutive 20+ point games ever in a two-point win (104-102) over Boston.
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However, the Celtics returned the favor at TD Garden, on Wednesday, outscoring the Thunder 39-30 in the third quarter. The lead eventually ballooned into double-digits, of which Gilgeous-Alexander gave the Celtics credit for its intense effort .
"Every time you play a Boston Celtics , you get a playoff feel. No matter what day it is. No matter who's out there. They're super well-coached. They have really good players," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I think it's one of the premier organizations to play against, and they bring it every night. No matter who's out there. Have a culture.
"They check all the boxes, and that's why they've been successful for the past years. It's a game that you see where you really are, and they test you. We got a test tonight; we didn't pass it."
Gilgeous-Alexander's 33 points on 10-for-12 shooting, including three triples, and 10-of-12 free throws led the Thunder in Thursday's loss. Lu Dort finished with 14 points and Chet Holmgren added 10 points, and five rebounds.
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Jaylen Brown 's 31 points, including 12-of-14 free throws attempts, led six Celtics players in double figures, including Jayson Tatum , who flirted with a triple-double (19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists), and Neemias Queta added 13 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
SGA's 'fools gold' take on Celtics after Thunder loss
Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes the Celtics' early struggles set a false tone that got the best of them against the 2024 champions. While regular-season setbacks has yielded confidence for the Thunder , it struggled to stop the bleeding when the Celtics finished with 25 threes in the second half.
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"The start was fools gold. We made some shot and they missed some wide-open ones. And we had like a 10-point lead, personally, it didn't feel like it," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Once the game settled into it, it felt like they got what they wanted."
The Celtics connected on 18-of-41 three-point attempts. The Celtics snapped the Thunder's 12-game win streak.
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