In a thrilling matchup that had fans buzzing, the Oklahoma City Thunder stunned the Boston Celtics with a decisive victory, leaving the basketball world asking a critical question: Is Boston’s reliance on the three-point shot becoming a problem? As the Celtics went cold from beyond the arc, the Thunder—led by an unstoppable Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—capitalized on their scoring depth and defensive intensity to come away with a 112-106 win.

Let’s break down the game and look into the broader issue that has many questioning whether the Celtics’ shooting strategy needs a major rethink.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shows Why He’s ‘Best in the NBA’

There’s no sugarcoating it—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the main storyline in this win for the Thunder. With a dynamic 35-point performance, SGA demonstrated exactly why he’s one of the brightest young stars in the NBA and why some are even calling him the best in the NBA right now. His ability to score from anywhere on the floor—whether it’s a slick mid-range jumper, a crafty finish at the rim, or drawing fouls with his superb craftiness—was on full display against the Celtics.

The Celtics, despite their defensive chops, just didn’t have a clear answer for SGA. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown tried to slow him down, but Gilgeous-Alexander was simply too quick and too skilled. His leadership and poise in critical moments gave the Thunder a boost as they pulled away in the final minutes.

This win over the Celtics is significant in more ways than one. Oklahoma City continues to solidify its position as a team to watch in the Western Conference, especially with Chet Holmgren continuing to develop and Josh Giddey adding playmaking depth. The Thunder are now looking like a squad that could surprise a lot of people come playoff time.

The Celtics’ Three-Point Frenzy: Overreliance or Smart Strategy?

On the flip side, the Boston Celtics seem to be facing an issue that has plagued them at times throughout the season: an over-reliance on the three-point shot. In this game, the Celtics launched a staggering 47 three-pointers, making only 13 for a dismal 27.7% shooting performance. When you consider that Jayson Tatum—their MVP candidate—had a rough night from deep, going 3-for-14 from beyond the arc, it’s easy to see where the problems began to snowball.

Boston has made no secret of its three-point heavy offense, led by Tatum and Marcus Smart’s long-range attempts. But in this game, that strategy didn’t work. Instead of getting into the paint and creating better looks, the Celtics seemed content to live and die by the three. Their shot selection at times was questionable, with several contested threes late in the game when better ball movement could have led to more high-percentage opportunities.

This reliance on the three-pointer is something the Celtics have struggled with in recent seasons, and it showed in this loss. Sure, they can light it up on any given night, but against a team like the Thunder—who are fast, aggressive, and play smart defense—it’s not always the best strategy. Instead of trying to out-shoot the opponent, the Celtics need to focus on mixing things up, driving the lane, and finding easier scoring opportunities.

Are the Celtics Too Dependent on the Three?

The larger issue with the Celtics’ approach is their tendency to fall into “three-point hero ball.” When the shots aren’t falling, it’s easy to get frustrated and resort to more perimeter shooting, especially with players like Tatum, Brown, and Smart on the roster. But when the ball isn’t moving, when there’s no inside game to balance the outside shooting, it becomes much easier for opposing teams to defend.

Boston’s coaching staff, led by Joe Mazzulla, has to figure out a way to keep the offense diverse. The team is loaded with playmaking talent, and with the shooting ability of Tatum and Brown, they should be able to attack from all areas of the floor. But when the three-pointers aren’t falling, there needs to be a backup plan—whether it’s getting to the line more, focusing on post-ups, or relying on quick ball movement to break down defenses.

Tatum’s struggles with efficiency this season have also raised eyebrows. He’s still the Celtics’ leader, but he’s had multiple games where he’s been too reliant on the three-point shot, leading to inefficient outings. Tatum is a top-tier talent, but if the Celtics are to make a deep run in the playoffs, he—and the entire team—needs to realize that relying on the three-ball alone won’t always cut it.

The Thunder’s Defense and Team Play

While the Celtics’ shooting struggles were a big story, we can’t ignore the Thunder’s defense and overall team play. Oklahoma City has quietly become one of the best defensive units in the NBA this season, and they showed it against Boston. Their defensive rotations were on point, and they didn’t give up easy looks. Players like Lu Dort and Jalen Williams were critical in limiting the Celtics’ offensive stars, forcing them to take tough shots from beyond the arc.

In addition to defense, the Thunder’s offense was well-rounded. While SGA led the charge, the Thunder also got significant contributions from Josh Giddey, who dished out 8 assists, and Jalen Williams, who chipped in with timely scoring. The balance of youth, skill, and energy that the Thunder bring to the court is becoming more evident with every game.

Conclusion: Time for the Celtics to Adjust?

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over the Boston Celtics may be a wake-up call for the Eastern Conference leaders. While Boston is still an incredibly talented team with championship aspirations, the issue of over-relying on the three-point shot could pose a bigger problem down the road.

For the Celtics to truly reach their potential this season, they’ll need to be more versatile with their offense. That means cutting down on contested threes, moving the ball, and finding ways to score more efficiently in the paint. They are a dangerous team with immense talent, but if they continue to lean too heavily on the three-ball, they could be vulnerable to more upsets like the one they suffered against the Thunder.

As for the Thunder, their win is another statement to the league that they are a team on the rise. With their combination of young talent, defense, and leadership from SGA, the Thunder may soon be a legitimate contender in the West. If they keep playing like this, they could be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.