Oklahoma City Thunder Suffers First Loss by 2 Points in Heartbreaking Fashion Against Trail Blazers
The undefeated dream is over. After eight straight victories to open the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally tasted defeat, and it came in the most gut-wrenching way imaginable. On November 5th, in front of 16,822 roaring fans at the Moda Center, the Portland Trail Blazers clawed back from a 22-point deficit to stun the Thunder 121-119, handing Oklahoma City their first loss of the young season.
This wasn’t just any loss. This was the kind of collapse that leaves players staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., replaying every missed rotation and botched possession. The Thunder had controlled this game for three quarters, building what seemed like an insurmountable lead. Then the fourth quarter happened, and everything fell apart.
The Collapse That Nobody Saw Coming
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the final period looking like the dominant force they’d been all season. But Portland had other plans. The Trail Blazers caught fire in the fourth quarter, pouring in 40 points on an absolutely scorching 81% shooting. When a team shoots like that, there’s not much you can do except watch your lead evaporate like morning fog.
Deni Avdija led Portland’s charge with a near triple-double performance that will be remembered for years in the Rose City. The forward finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, making crucial plays on both ends when it mattered most. He attacked the free-throw line relentlessly, converting 15 of 16 attempts and keeping the Blazers in striking distance even when his shot wasn’t falling from the field.
Jrue Holiday provided the veteran steadiness Portland needed, dropping 22 points, including six three-pointers that consistently answered every Oklahoma City Thunder run. Shaedon Sharpe, playing through a calf injury that had him listed as probable before the game, added 18 points and showed the kind of toughness that championship teams are built on.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Heroic Effort Falls Short
Despite the loss, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his otherworldly start to the season. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar poured in 35 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and dished 4 assists in 37 minutes of action. It marked his seventh game in eight tries with 30 or more points, extending his streak of 20-point games to an incredible 80 consecutive contests.
Gilgeous-Alexander did everything humanly possible to will his team to victory. He was a perfect 12-for-13 from the free-throw line and hit clutch shots throughout the game. But basketball is a team sport, and when Portland’s fourth-quarter explosion came, even SGA’s brilliance couldn’t overcome it.
Aaron Wiggins provided a spark off the bench with 27 points, including seven three-pointers that kept OKC ahead for most of the night. Ajay Mitchell chipped in 21 points on efficient shooting, going 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. But when the final buzzer sounded, those contributions just weren’t enough.
The Reality Check the Thunder Needed
Perhaps this loss was inevitable. The Oklahoma City Thunder had landed in Portland around 3 a.m. that morning, bodies tired and biological clocks completely thrown off. They were also playing shorthanded, missing key rotation pieces that would normally help close out tight games. The schedule had finally caught up with them.
The Blazers hadn’t beaten the Thunder since 2022, carrying a streak of futility that must have felt like an eternity for their fans. That historical context made this comeback even sweeter for Portland and more bitter for Oklahoma City to swallow.
Looking Ahead for Oklahoma City
Despite this setback, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain one of the NBA’s elite teams at 8-1. They’re still 4-1 on the road, which is an impressive mark through the season’s first month. This loss, as painful as it is, might serve as a valuable learning experience for a young team with championship aspirations.
The Thunder will need to examine how they let a 22-point lead slip away and make adjustments to prevent similar collapses in the future. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an MVP level and a deep roster that can compete with anyone, Oklahoma City has all the pieces necessary to bounce back strong.
Sometimes in sports, you need a reality check to remind you that nothing comes easy at this level. The Trail Blazers provided that wake-up call emphatically. Now it’s up to the Thunder to respond.
