NEW YORK (Interstat) — Chet Holmgren scored 28 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers as the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the New York Knicks 103-100 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and eight assists for the Thunder, who won their fourth straight game. Oklahoma City led by 10 at halftime but surrendered the lead during New York’s 40-point third quarter. The Thunder reclaimed the advantage early in the fourth and maintained a narrow edge down the stretch. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby missed potential tying 3-pointers on the final possession. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 17 points and 17 rebounds. Brunson had 16 points and 15 assists. The loss snapped New York’s three-game winning streak. Attendance was 19,812.

NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined by a staggering third-quarter surge and a tense final possession, the Oklahoma City Thunder weathered a 40-point explosion from the New York Knicks in that pivotal period to escape Madison Square Garden with a 103-100 victory on Wednesday night. The win extended Oklahoma City’s streak to four games and improved its league-leading record to 49-15, while snapping a three-game winning streak for the Knicks, who fell to 41-23. Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 28 points and eight rebounds, tying a career high with six 3-pointers. His backcourt partner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, added 26 points and eight assists. Their steadying presence proved crucial after the Thunder’s 15-point halftime lead evaporated in a chaotic third quarter. Oklahoma City controlled the first half with methodical execution, leading 50-40 at the break. Holmgren was instrumental, hitting four first-half 3-pointers as the Thunder built their advantage. The Knicks, meanwhile, struggled for consistency, with only Karl-Anthony Towns providing reliable offense inside. Towns finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds. The entire complexion of the game shifted violently in the third quarter. The Knicks, energized by a sellout crowd of 19,812, unleashed a 40-point frame, their highest-scoring quarter of the season. They attacked the rim relentlessly and found their rhythm from the perimeter, hitting five 3-pointers. A 23-8 run over a five-minute span turned a 10-point deficit into a five-point lead. Jalen Brunson, who orchestrated the comeback with 15 assists to go with his 16 points, and Landry Shamet, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the quarter, were central to the outburst. Facing their largest deficit of the night at 72-61, the Thunder closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to trail only 80-77 heading into the fourth. That resilience set the stage for the final act. Oklahoma City reclaimed the lead for good just over a minute into the fourth quarter on a Holmgren pull-up jumper. From there, the game settled into a tense, possession-by-possession grind. The Thunder’s lead fluctuated between one and five points for the final 11 minutes. The Knicks had several chances to tie or take the lead in the closing minutes. With Oklahoma City clinging to a 101-100 edge, Josh Hart secured a defensive rebound with 17.7 seconds left, giving New York a final shot. After a timeout, the Knicks ran a play for Brunson, whose contested 3-point attempt from the top of the arc missed with 3.9 seconds remaining. Mikal Bridges secured the offensive rebound and kicked it out to OG Anunoby, but his rushed, turnaround 3-point attempt at the buzzer also missed, sealing the Thunder’s victory. Lu Dort provided critical support for Oklahoma City with 16 points, including several timely baskets to stem New York’s momentum. For the Knicks, Anunoby scored 16 points and Hart recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, but the team ultimately could not overcome a poor shooting night from deep and 15 turnovers. The most important part of the game was unquestionably the Thunder’s response to the Knicks’ third-quarter onslaught. Rather than folding under the pressure of a furious comeback in a hostile environment, Oklahoma City stabilized, tightened its defense, and executed with precision down the stretch. Their ability to retake the lead early in the fourth and then make enough key plays—a Gilgeous-Alexander step-back three, a Holmgren mid-range jumper, critical defensive stops—to nurse a slim advantage showcased the poise of a championship contender. Both teams face quick turnarounds. The Knicks begin a challenging five-game Western Conference road trip in Denver on Friday. The Thunder return home to host Golden State on Saturday.

Preview: Thunder at Knicks, March 4, 2026 NEW YORK (Interstat) — A potential NBA Finals preview unfolds at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night when the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Eastern Conference contender New York Knicks. The Thunder (47-15) arrive with the league’s second-best record, riding a wave of momentum after winning seven of their last eight games. Their most recent victory was a 100-87 road win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Oklahoma City’s success is fueled by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 33 points and 7 assists over his last two outings, including a 36-point, 9-assist performance in a win over Denver. The Knicks (40-22), sitting third in the East, have been nearly as hot, winning five of their last six. They are coming off a dominant 114-89 home victory over San Antonio on Sunday. Forward Mikal Bridges, a key two-way force since his acquisition, is averaging 18.2 points over his last 10 games and scored 25 in the win over the Spurs. He will likely share primary defensive duties on Gilgeous-Alexander with guard Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 24 points and 7 assists in his last game. This matchup pits Oklahoma City’s elite, youthful core against a deep and physical Knicks squad. The Thunder’s efficiency, ranking near the top of the league in both offensive and defensive rating, will be tested by New York’s relentless style and home-court advantage. The Knicks have gone 7-3 in their last 10 home games. The teams have not met this season, adding to the intrigue. Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, coming off a 19-point, 9-rebound effort against Dallas, will face a significant challenge inside against New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double on Sunday. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Oklahoma City is a 3.5-point road favorite. The over/under is set at 222 points. For Oklahoma City, this begins a tough two-game trip before returning home. The Knicks embark on a challenging six-game Western Conference road swing following this contest.