Oklahoma City Thunder vs Celtics Match Player Stats

The oklahoma city thunder vs celtics match player stats from March 13, 2026, tell the story of a remarkably tight 104-102 Oklahoma City victory at Paycom Center. The Thunder entered the game with a 52-15 record and a 28-7 home mark, while Boston arrived at 43-23 overall and 22-13 on the road. After four competitive quarters, Oklahoma City closed the game stronger and protected a two-point lead at the final buzzer. The official box score confirms the final score, team totals, individual performances, shooting numbers, and playing-time distribution used throughout this analysis.

The headline matchup was defined by two elite scoring performances. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced 35 points, six rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and three blocks while shooting 13-of-18 from the field. Jaylen Brown answered with 34 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, but Boston could not turn his high-volume scoring night into a road victory.

What makes this game especially interesting is that the Thunder did not win because they dominated every statistical category. Boston actually had more rebounds, made more three-pointers, and shot an outstanding 95% from the free-throw line. Oklahoma City won through superior overall field-goal efficiency, timely scoring, and a stronger fourth quarter.

Table of Contents

Game Overview and Final Score

The game was played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with an announced attendance of 18,203. The Thunder finished with 104 points and Boston scored 102.

The quarter-by-quarter scoring shows just how little separated the teams:

Quarter	Boston Celtics	Oklahoma City Thunder
1st	28	27
2nd	31	29
3rd	24	24
4th	19	24
Final	102	104

Boston led 59-56 at halftime, and the teams were tied 83-83 entering the fourth quarter. That makes the final period the clearest statistical explanation for the result. Oklahoma City scored 24 fourth-quarter points while limiting Boston to 19.

A five-point fourth-quarter advantage was enough to decide a game that otherwise remained extremely balanced.

The official box score lists Oklahoma City at 40-of-84 shooting, or 48%, compared with Boston’s 35-of-87, or 40%.

That eight-percentage-point difference in field-goal accuracy was arguably more important than the three-point gap.

Oklahoma City Thunder Player Stats

The Thunder’s individual numbers were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the supporting cast made several important contributions.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Oklahoma City

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the defining player of the game.

His line was:

35 points
6 rebounds
9 assists
13-of-18 field goals
2-of-5 three-pointers
7-of-8 free throws
2 steals
3 blocks
4 turnovers
+14 plus/minus

The most striking part of his performance was his shooting efficiency. He made 13 of 18 field-goal attempts, which is approximately 72% shooting from the field.

That efficiency matters because Boston’s Jaylen Brown scored almost the same number of points but needed 25 field-goal attempts to reach 34 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander also contributed as a creator. His nine assists were the highest total in the game, meaning his influence extended well beyond scoring.

His +14 plus/minus was also the best mark among all players in the game.

The performance was particularly significant because the official game recap noted that Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak of games with at least 20 points, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record.

Chet Holmgren Provides Interior Value

Chet Holmgren finished with:

14 points
9 rebounds
5-of-10 field goals
1-of-4 three-pointers
3-of-3 free throws
3 offensive rebounds
6 defensive rebounds
3 blocks

Holmgren’s scoring total was not enormous, but his defensive contribution was substantial.

Three blocks helped Oklahoma City protect the paint, while nine rebounds gave the Thunder a dependable presence around the basket. His three offensive rebounds were also valuable because they created additional possessions.

The box score shows Holmgren finishing with a +2 plus/minus.

Ajay Mitchell Gives the Thunder a Secondary Scoring Boost

Ajay Mitchell quietly delivered one of the most efficient offensive performances for Oklahoma City.

He recorded:

15 points
4 rebounds
6 assists
6-of-10 field goals
1-of-3 three-pointers
2-of-3 free throws
1 turnover

His 60% shooting from the field helped compensate for the Thunder’s relatively poor three-point percentage.

Mitchell’s six assists were also important because Oklahoma City received meaningful playmaking from several positions rather than depending exclusively on Gilgeous-Alexander.

Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace

Luguentz Dort scored six points on 2-of-8 shooting and made two three-pointers. He also collected six rebounds and finished with a +8 plus/minus.

His offensive numbers were modest, but his rebounding and defensive role remained useful.

Cason Wallace scored four points and added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He shot 2-of-8 from the field.

Wallace’s scoring was limited, but two steals helped Oklahoma City generate defensive pressure.

Thunder Bench Production

The Thunder’s bench provided useful contributions without requiring one player to carry the second unit.

Jaylin Williams scored nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and made all three of his three-point attempts.

Alex Caruso contributed seven points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block.

Aaron Wiggins also scored nine points, shooting 4-of-6 from the field.

Jared McCain scored three points, while Isaiah Joe added two.

The bench numbers show why the Thunder could remain competitive even when some starters were not producing at a high scoring level.

Boston Celtics Player Stats

Boston’s statistical story begins with Jaylen Brown, but the supporting numbers reveal why the Celtics came up short.

Jaylen Brown Nearly Matches Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Jaylen Brown finished with:

34 points
6 rebounds
7 assists
10-of-25 field goals
1-of-4 three-pointers
13-of-14 free throws
2 steals
1 block
6 turnovers

Brown was Boston’s primary offensive force.

His 34 points represented one-third of the Celtics’ total scoring. He also created seven assists, showing that Oklahoma City’s defensive attention did not completely prevent him from generating opportunities for teammates.

His free-throw shooting was exceptional. Brown converted 13 of 14 attempts, or approximately 93%.

However, his 10-of-25 field-goal shooting shows the contrast between volume and efficiency in this game.

Brown needed 25 field-goal attempts to score 34 points. Gilgeous-Alexander needed only 18 attempts to score 35.

That difference does not mean Brown played poorly. It shows how efficiently Oklahoma City’s lead scorer converted his opportunities.

Payton Pritchard Adds 14 Points

Payton Pritchard finished with:

14 points
4 rebounds
4 assists
6-of-17 field goals
2-of-9 three-pointers

Pritchard’s four assists helped Boston maintain offensive movement, but his 2-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc limited the Celtics’ perimeter efficiency.

Because Boston finished 13-of-42 from three-point range, every missed perimeter opportunity mattered in a two-point game.

Baylor Scheierman Supplies Balanced Production

Baylor Scheierman recorded:

11 points
7 rebounds
5 assists
4-of-10 field goals
3-of-8 three-pointers

His five assists were second among Celtics players, while seven rebounds were also valuable.

Scheierman was one of Boston’s better three-point shooters in terms of makes, connecting on three attempts.

His contribution illustrates that the Celtics did receive useful production outside Brown. The problem was that the overall offense was not efficient enough.

Neemias Queta Controls the Glass

Neemias Queta scored only four points, but his rebounding numbers were excellent.

He finished with:

4 points
10 rebounds
1 steal
2 blocks

Queta led Boston in rebounding and collected eight defensive boards.

His 10 rebounds were especially important because the Celtics finished with 44 total rebounds, five more than Oklahoma City.

However, the rebounding advantage did not translate into enough second-chance scoring to overcome the Thunder’s superior shooting percentage.

Celtics Bench Contributions

Boston’s bench produced several useful performances.

Hugo Gonzalez scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds, and added two steals and one block while shooting 4-of-7.

Luka Garza contributed seven points and four rebounds.

Jordan Walsh scored eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point range.

Ron Harper Jr. added five points.

The bench numbers show that Boston did not completely collapse outside its starters. In fact, several reserves were efficient.

The larger issue was overall team shooting and the inability to maintain the offensive pace in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Celtics Match Player Stats: Head-to-Head Comparison

The most useful way to understand the game is to compare the leading players directly.

Category	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Jaylen Brown
Points	35	34
Rebounds	6	6
Assists	9	7
FG	13-18	10-25
3PT	2-5	1-4
FT	7-8	13-14
Steals	2	2
Blocks	3	1
Turnovers	4	6
Plus/Minus	+14	-10

This comparison captures the central difference between the two stars.

Brown generated a huge amount of offense and was nearly unstoppable at the free-throw line.

Gilgeous-Alexander, however, produced more efficient scoring while also contributing more assists and blocks. His lower field-goal volume was especially important.

The plus/minus figures also point toward a different game impact. Gilgeous-Alexander finished at +14, while Brown finished at -10.

Plus/minus should never be treated as a complete measure of individual performance, but in this particular game it aligns with the broader result.

Team Statistical Comparison

The team numbers provide another perspective.

Statistic	Celtics	Thunder
Points	102	104
Field Goals	35-87	40-84
FG Percentage	40%	48%
3-Pointers	13-42	11-44
3PT Percentage	31%	25%
Free Throws	19-20	13-17
FT Percentage	95%	76%
Rebounds	44	39
Assists	20	22
Turnovers	12	12
Steals	8	7
Blocks	4	4
Offensive Rebounds	12	11
Defensive Rebounds	32	28
Fouls	18	18

The Celtics won several traditional categories.

Boston had:

Five more rebounds
Two more made three-pointers
Six more free throws made
One more steal

Yet Oklahoma City still won.

The key was field-goal efficiency.

The Thunder made five more field goals despite taking three fewer attempts.

That is a major difference in a close game.

Why Oklahoma City Won

1. Better Overall Shooting Efficiency

The Thunder shot 48% from the field.

Boston shot 40%.

That eight-point difference in field-goal percentage was the clearest statistical advantage for Oklahoma City.

Although the Thunder shot only 25% from three-point range, they were highly efficient inside and from the mid-range.

The team made 40 field goals compared with Boston’s 35.

Those five additional made shots ultimately helped offset Boston’s superior free-throw shooting.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Was More Efficient

The individual battle between the two leading scorers was extremely close in raw points.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35.

Brown scored 34.

But their shooting profiles were very different.

Gilgeous-Alexander converted 13 of 18 field goals.

Brown converted 10 of 25.

This is one of the most important details for readers studying player statistics. Raw scoring totals do not always explain offensive efficiency.

In this matchup, the efficiency gap was substantial.

3. Oklahoma City Won the Fourth Quarter

The first three quarters were essentially even.

Boston led by two points after the second quarter.

The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 83.

Then Oklahoma City produced a 24-19 advantage.

A five-point swing in a tied final period was enough to create the final two-point margin.

This is why the fourth quarter deserves more attention than simply looking at the final score.

4. The Thunder Shared the Playmaking Load

Oklahoma City finished with 22 assists.

Boston had 20.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with nine assists, while Mitchell added six and Wallace three.

That distribution gave Oklahoma City multiple ways to create offense.

Boston also had balanced playmaking, with Brown recording seven assists and Scheierman five, but the Celtics did not convert their offensive opportunities at the same rate.

5. Oklahoma City Protected Its Offensive Efficiency

Both teams committed 12 turnovers.

That is important because the Thunder did not win by dramatically reducing mistakes.

Instead, they won while committing the same number of turnovers as Boston and shooting substantially better.

That makes the result more convincing from an efficiency perspective.

The Importance of Three-Point Shooting

At first glance, Boston appears to have had the advantage from three-point range.

The Celtics made 13 of 42 attempts.

The Thunder made 11 of 44.

Boston therefore had two more made three-pointers.

But neither team shot particularly well from deep.

Boston converted 31%.

Oklahoma City converted only 25%.

This creates an interesting lesson when evaluating basketball statistics.

A team can lose the three-point battle and still win comfortably if it makes up the difference through two-point efficiency and other scoring areas.

The Thunder’s 48% overall field-goal shooting was the difference-maker.

Free Throws Kept Boston Alive

Boston’s free-throw performance was outstanding.

The Celtics went 19-of-20 from the line.

That is 95%.

Brown alone made 13 of 14.

The Thunder went 13-of-17 for 76%.

Boston’s ability to convert free throws helped keep the score close even while the team struggled to make field goals.

This is one reason the game remained a two-point contest rather than becoming a more comfortable Thunder victory.

Rebounding Advantage Went to Boston

The Celtics won the rebounding battle 44-39.

They also had a 12-11 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Neemias Queta led Boston with 10 rebounds, while Baylor Scheierman collected seven and Jaylen Brown had six.

For Oklahoma City, Chet Holmgren led the team with nine.

Boston’s five-rebound advantage is notable because rebounding often becomes especially valuable in close games.

However, the Celtics did not gain enough scoring value from that advantage to compensate for their lower field-goal percentage.

Defensive Contributions Were Balanced

Both teams recorded four blocks.

Boston had eight steals compared with seven for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder’s defensive impact, however, was strongly reflected in the efficiency of Boston’s shooting.

Holding the Celtics to 35-of-87 shooting meant that Oklahoma City forced Boston into a large number of missed field-goal attempts.

Holmgren’s three blocks were particularly notable, while Gilgeous-Alexander also contributed three blocks.

Caruso and Wallace each added two steals.

The defensive story was therefore not simply about blocks or steals. It was also about contesting shots and limiting efficient scoring.

What the Plus/Minus Numbers Tell Us

Plus/minus can be misunderstood when it is viewed in isolation.

For example, Hugo Gonzalez finished at -3 despite scoring 11 points, while Ron Harper Jr. was +15 despite scoring only five.

That does not mean Harper necessarily played three times better than Gonzalez.

Plus/minus reflects what happened while a player was on the floor, including teammate performance, opponent lineups, and game context.

Still, several numbers from this game are useful.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished +14.

Luguentz Dort was +8.

Alex Caruso was +6.

Brown finished -10.

Queta finished -11.

These figures provide additional context for the final result, although they should be combined with traditional box-score statistics rather than used alone.

Players Who Exceeded Their Scoring Totals

One of the most useful ways to read a box score is to look beyond points.

Chet Holmgren’s 14 points do not fully describe his contribution. He also had nine rebounds and three blocks.

Ajay Mitchell’s 15 points came with six assists and four rebounds.

Alex Caruso scored seven points but added four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

For Boston, Scheierman’s 11 points came with seven rebounds and five assists.

Queta’s four points were accompanied by 10 rebounds and two blocks.

These are examples of why player evaluation should include multiple categories.

Players Who Had Difficult Offensive Nights

Several players struggled as scorers.

Luguentz Dort went 2-of-8 from the field.

Cason Wallace also shot 2-of-8.

Jared McCain finished 1-of-6.

For Boston, Pritchard shot 6-of-17 and Hauser went 3-of-10.

Brown’s 10-of-25 shooting was also inefficient despite his 34-point total.

The important point is that Oklahoma City was able to absorb several inefficient individual performances because Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell, Holmgren, and parts of the bench produced enough efficient offense.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Celtics Match Player Stats: What the Numbers Reveal

The deeper lesson from the oklahoma city thunder vs celtics match player stats is that a close NBA game cannot be explained by points alone.

The Celtics had the better three-point percentage.

They had more made three-pointers.

They had more rebounds.

They shot free throws exceptionally well.

They also recorded more steals.

And yet they lost.

Oklahoma City won because the Thunder converted a much higher percentage of its overall field-goal attempts and produced enough offense during the final period to overcome Boston’s earlier lead.

This is exactly why box-score analysis should examine multiple categories at the same time.

A useful hierarchy for this particular game is:

Overall field-goal efficiency
Star-player efficiency
Fourth-quarter performance
Playmaking
Turnover control
Free throws
Three-point shooting
Rebounding

No single category tells the whole story.

How the Game Changed in the Fourth Quarter

Boston had scored 31 points in the second quarter, its best offensive period of the game.

The Celtics then scored only 19 in the fourth.

Oklahoma City went in the opposite direction.

The Thunder scored 27 in the first quarter, 29 in the second, 24 in the third, and 24 in the fourth.

The most important difference was not a sudden explosion from Oklahoma City. It was the Thunder maintaining enough offensive production while Boston’s scoring dropped.

That is often how two-point NBA games are decided.

A team does not necessarily need to dominate the final period. It simply needs to execute slightly better than its opponent.

Availability and Rotation Context

The box score also records several players who did not participate.

For Boston, Amari Williams and Max Shulga were listed as coach’s decisions, while Derrick White was listed with a right knee contusion.

For Oklahoma City, Payton Sandfort and Kenrich Williams were listed as coach’s decisions.

These absences are relevant when evaluating the rotation, but they should not be used to invent explanations for the result that are not supported by the data.

The safest conclusion is that the available players produced the statistics shown in the official box score, with Oklahoma City ultimately executing well enough to win.

What Fans Should Take Away From the Box Score

If you are searching for the most important player statistics from this game, focus on five numbers first:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 35 points
Jaylen Brown: 34 points
Gilgeous-Alexander: 9 assists
Neemias Queta: 10 rebounds
Thunder field-goal percentage: 48%

Those numbers provide a quick summary of the game’s individual and team dynamics.

But the more complete picture is even more interesting.

Brown was the Celtics’ scoring leader and one of the most productive players on the floor.

Queta controlled the glass.

Scheierman provided all-around production.

Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the most efficient superstar performance.

Holmgren protected the paint.

Mitchell supplied secondary scoring and playmaking.

Together, those performances explain why the Thunder escaped with the victory.

A Practical Method for Reading NBA Player Stats

For readers who regularly look up NBA box scores, a simple process can make statistical analysis much more useful.

Start With the Final Score

The final score tells you whether the game was close, but not why.

Check Shooting Efficiency

Compare field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free-throw percentage.

Identify the Main Scorers

Look at both points and shot attempts.

A 30-point performance on 15 shots is very different from 30 points on 30 shots.

Check Playmaking

Assists help reveal which players were creating opportunities for teammates.

Check Rebounding

Rebounding can reveal second-chance opportunities and defensive possession control.

Review Turnovers

A team that repeatedly gives away possessions can lose despite shooting well.

Finally, Examine the Fourth Quarter

Close games are frequently decided by late-game execution.

That approach provides a much clearer picture than simply searching for the highest scorer.

Season-Series Context

This victory gave Oklahoma City a 1-0 advantage in the season series after the first meeting.

The supplied game data also records another matchup on March 26, 2026, which Boston won 119-109.

That later result changes the broader season-series picture, making it important not to treat the March 13 victory as the complete story of the two teams’ meetings.

For anyone comparing the teams across the season, each individual game should be analyzed separately before drawing conclusions about the overall matchup.

FAQs

Who led the Thunder in scoring against the Celtics?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 35 points. He also recorded six rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and three blocks while shooting 13-of-18 from the field.

Who was Boston’s leading scorer?

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 34 points. He added six rebounds and seven assists while making 10 of 25 field-goal attempts and 13 of 14 free throws.

What was the final score of the Thunder vs Celtics game?

Oklahoma City defeated Boston 104-102 at Paycom Center.

Which team shot better from the field?

Oklahoma City shot better overall. The Thunder made 40 of 84 field-goal attempts for 48%, while Boston made 35 of 87 for 40%.

Who led the game in rebounds?

Neemias Queta led all players with 10 rebounds for Boston. Chet Holmgren led Oklahoma City with nine rebounds.

Who had the most assists?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the game with nine assists. Jaylen Brown had seven, while Ajay Mitchell had six for Oklahoma City.

Conclusion

The oklahoma city thunder vs celtics match player stats show a game decided by efficiency rather than overwhelming statistical dominance.

Boston had several advantages. The Celtics collected 44 rebounds, made 13 three-pointers, converted 95% of their free throws, and received 34 points from Jaylen Brown.

Oklahoma City nevertheless found the more efficient path to victory.

The Thunder shot 48% from the field compared with Boston’s 40%, finished with 22 assists, and received an outstanding 35-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Chet Holmgren added nine rebounds and three blocks, while Ajay Mitchell contributed 15 points and six assists.

The fourth quarter ultimately provided the deciding margin. After entering the final period tied at 83, Oklahoma City outscored Boston 24-19 to secure a 104-102 victory.

For statistical analysis, the most important takeaway is that the box score rewards deeper reading. Points tell you who scored. Shooting percentages tell you how efficiently those points were produced. Rebounds show possession control. Assists reveal creation. Defensive statistics add another layer. The fourth-quarter split then explains how a close game was actually won.

In this matchup, those pieces fit together clearly. Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency, Oklahoma City’s overall field-goal accuracy, and a stronger closing quarter were enough to overcome Boston’s advantages in rebounding, three-point makes, and free-throw shooting.