Thunder exposes Rockets as stakes rise

A strong statement, a warning shot, a night to shine. That was how the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, chose to respond on Thursday in their visit to the Toyota Center to face the Houston Rockets. Two of the Western Conference’s leading teams were separated not by an ocean – that would be overstating it – but by a clear and solid gap, just to avoid any confusion. The franchise defending the crown has more than enough resources to close out games with one eye on the rearview mirror and the other fixed firmly on the horizon. Having partially set aside the pursuit of the regular-season wins record – still attainable, given they have dropped only seven games and the mark stands at nine – their priority now is to show as much muscle as possible.

It barely mattered whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a dazzling performance, whether the superlatives needed toning down, or whether it simply wasn’t his night. He finished with 20 points, five turnovers and a striking 7-of-8 from the free-throw line – a modest stat line by the standards he has set over the past two years. Not erratic. Not poor. Just short of fully tightening the screws. Against a team like the Rockets, that may be required on another occasion – hopefully this matchup returns in the spring – but it wasn’t necessary here. A 111–91 win was more than enough. The visitors controlled the game at will and claimed their reward.

Shai is merely the tip of the spear for a collective built for big things if it stays together. Smart front-office work has further strengthened an already powerful roster, adding the qualities of Ajay Mitchell, who is enjoying meaningful minutes this season in Mark Daigneault’s rotation. On this night, he converted seven of his ten shot attempts – one of those bench players who quietly expand a team’s ceiling.

Kevin Durant, by contrast, endured a miserable evening. The forward has high-caliber teammates – Turkish center Alperen Şengün (14 points, 13 rebounds) among them – but much of the burden still falls on his shoulders. His 7-of-23 shooting against the Thunder fell well short of expectations. A woeful shooting night, compounded by the struggles of Reed Sheppard, Davison and Amen Thompson, who combined to go 9-of-35. Oklahoma City’s defense completely knocked them off balance.

Houston has gradually leaned into a tall lineup as the season has progressed, with improving results, but a structural issue emerges when the competition level rises. Oklahoma may simply be too much. By dragging interior threats away from the basket and forcing difficult shots from players compelled to take them, the visitors executed a sharp defensive plan. The outcome spoke for itself.

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