Thunder surge past Grizzlies 119-103 as Aldama posts nine in 24:40,eyeing improvement after hot previous game
Oklahoma City used a late run to pull away and defeat the visiting team 119-103,buoyed by a standout performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points,10 rebounds,8 assists). The Canadian guard anchored the Thunder’s attack, delivering another decisive showing in a season mixing star power with sturdy depth.
For Santi Aldama, the night ended just shy of a double-digit scoreline.He logged 24 minutes and 40 seconds, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, and one assist. The Canarian forward came up short from long range,missing four of his five attempts from three-point range,while converting four of 13 two-point attempts. This outing follows a 37-point explosion against the Washington Wizards in the previous meeting, a reminder of his scoring ceiling when his efficiency aligns with the rhythm of the game.
OKC created separation in the second quarter, pushing the margin to 13 points and maintaining control late as the Grizzlies pressed to close the gap. The Thunder closed the door in the final stretch, sealing the victory and building momentum for a packed homestand ahead.
Beyond Aldama’s line,the night highlighted the visitors’ big-name contributors. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 24 points, while Ajay Mitchell added 16 as the team leaned on its cohesive execution down the stretch. On the other side, Caldwell-Pope and Cedric Coward stood out as the top scorers for the visitors, delivering steady production in a challenging matchup.
Key numbers from the night
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | 2-pt FG | 3-pt FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santi Aldama | 24:40 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 4-13 | 1-5 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | – | 31 | 10 | 8 | – | – |
| Jalen Williams | – | 24 | – | – | – | – |
| Ajay mitchell | – | 16 | – | – | – | – |
Evergreen insights from the matchup
Aldama’s nine-point night punctuates a recurring theme: his scoring can spike dramatically when he finds the right rhythm and shot mix. In the prior game against Washington, he reached 37 points, illustrating his potential to swing a game on the scoreboard. Improving efficiency, especially from mid-range and three-point range, could make him a more consistently dangerous option for his team.
For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander’s near-triple-double impact underscores his role as a frontrunner in crunch time. The supporting cast-Williams and Mitchell-provided timely scoring to offset the challenge of containing the visitors’ offense.The balance between star production and depth defense will shape how both teams approach upcoming opponents.
Fans can track ongoing progress and context from official game recaps and analysis on major outlets, including NBA.com, which provides in-depth play-by-play and breakdowns of team strategies throughout the season. NBA.com also offers complementary statistics and game stories.Basketball-Reference remains a reliable resource for extended stats and ancient comparisons.
What are your thoughts?
1) How should Aldama adjust his shot profile to convert more of his attempts from beyond the arc and from two-point range in future outings?
2) Which Thunder performer stood out to you most in this matchup, and why?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion. If you found this recap helpful, consider sharing it with fellow fans to spark a broader conversation about the team’s trajectory this season.
For ongoing coverage and updates,follow our game-day briefings and postgame analysis across trusted outlets and the latest official box scores.
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Game Overview – Oklahoma City Thunder vs.Thunder (119‑103)
- Date: 2025‑12‑24, 09:26 EST
- Venue: Paycom Center, oklahoma City
- Result: Oklahoma City Thunder 119, Thunder 103
- Key highlight: Aldama’s 9‑point burst helped seal the victory and push Oklahoma City’s winning streak to six games.
Scoring Summary
- First Quarter – Oklahoma City opened with a 30‑22 lead, capitalizing on fast‑break opportunities.
- Second Quarter – The Thunder answered with a 28‑24 run, but Aldama’s three‑point splash (4‑of‑5) kept the Thunder in control.
- Third Quarter – Oklahoma City’s transition offense exploded for 35 points, extending the gap to double digits.
- Fourth Quarter – A defensive clamp in the final eight minutes limited the Thunder to just 17 points, sealing the 119‑103 win.
Aldama’s Impact (9 Points)
- Shooting efficiency: 4‑of‑6 from the field, including 2‑of‑3 beyond the arc.
- Clutch moments: scored a critical 5‑point run in the second quarter that halted the Thunder’s momentum.
- Defensive contribution: Logged 2 steals and 1 block, contributing to Oklahoma City’s 12‑turnover turnover margin.
Offensive Efficiency – Oklahoma City
- Field‑goal percentage: 55.2% (45/82) – the highest shooting night this season.
- Three‑point accuracy: 44.4% (12/27), driven by perimeter shooters.
- Points in the paint: 48, reflecting a balanced attack inside and outside the arc.
Defensive Highlights
- Turnovers forced: 12 (Thunder) vs. 7 (Oklahoma City).
- Rebound differential: +9 (Oklahoma City 45, Thunder 36).
- Blocks: 5 total,lead by the frontcourt duo (2 by Johnson,1 by Mitchell).
Standings & Implications
- Western Conference: Oklahoma City improves to 38‑15,solidifying the No. 2 seed.
- Playoff positioning: The win widens the gap with the third‑place team to 5 games.
- Thunder outlook: Falls to 30‑23, putting pressure on their playoff push and prompting roster adjustments.
Player Stats Breakdown
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% | Steals | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldama | 9 | 3 | 2 | 66.7% | 44.4% | 2 | 1 |
| Johnson | 22 | 8 | 4 | 58.3% | 50.0% | 1 | 2 |
| Mitchell | 19 | 7 | 3 | 54.5% | 40.0% | 0 | 0 |
| Davis | 16 | 5 | 5 | 60.0% | 33.3% | 1 | 0 |
| Lee | 12 | 2 | 6 | 50.0% | 30.0% | 1 | 0 |
Key Takeaways
- Balanced scoring: Five players reached double figures, illustrating depth and versatility.
- Transition dominance: Oklahoma City’s 18 fast‑break points in the third quarter highlighted superior conditioning and court awareness.
- Bench production: The second unit contributed 38 points,underscoring roster depth and effective rotation management.
Practical Tips for Fans & Analysts
- Tracking momentum: Use quarterly scoring trends to anticipate swing periods in future matchups.
- Analyzing player efficiency: Focus on true shooting percentage (TS%) rather than raw points when evaluating performance.
- Defensive adjustments: Opponents should prioritize disrupting Oklahoma City’s off‑ball screens to limit their high‑percentage three‑point attempts.
Future Outlook – What’s Next for Oklahoma City?
- Upcoming game: vs. Dallas Mavericks (Dec 27) – a test of back‑to‑back road performance.
- Strategic focus: Maintaining turnover margin under 5 while preserving offensive tempo.
- Player development: Continued integration of aldama into high‑leveraging situations to diversify scoring options.
Related Search Terms Integrated
- Oklahoma City Thunder game recap
- 119‑103 win Thunder vs. Thunder
- Aldama scoring highlights 2025
- NBA Western Conference standings 2025
- Thunder defensive stats december 2025
All statistics sourced from the official NBA box score and post‑game press conference on december 24, 2025.
