Thunder halt 2-game skid with huge 2nd half vs. Sixers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 28th December, 18:42 2025

Dec 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) goes up for a basket between Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) and center Adem Bona (30) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Chet Holmgren scored 29 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-104 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

The win snapped the Thunder's two-game skid, their first losing streak of the season.

It was also Oklahoma City's 23rd consecutive regular-season victory over an Eastern Conference opponent.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Thunder took control after halftime, outscoring the 76ers 65-42 to deal Philadelphia its third consecutive loss.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 27 points and five assists with just one turnover while Aaron Wiggins scored 15 off the bench and Jalen Williams added 14.

The 76ers were without Joel Embiid, who missed the game with a right ankle sprain and right knee injury management. Embiid had played in the previous two games.

The Thunder were up two at halftime and the game remained tight until an 11-0 run midway through the third that started with Holmgren's 3-pointer and wrapped up with Gilgeous-Alexander's driving layup.

The 76ers, who had been hot from the field as both teams were on fire offensively early, missed six consecutive shots during the run.

After shooting 55% from the field in the first half, Philadelphia shot just 30.2% in the second half.

The 76ers also had 14 turnovers in the second half leading to 21 Oklahoma City points. The Thunder scored 31 points off turnovers in the game.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, but 15 came in the first quarter and just five came in the second half. No other 76ers player finished with more than 13 points. Maxey and V.J. Edgecomb combined to go just 3 of 16 from the field after halftime.

Without Embiid, the 76ers struggled to defend near the basket. Oklahoma City outscored Philadelphia 72-34 in the paint.

The Thunder shot 57.5% from the field, led by Holmgren (12 of 17) and Gilgeous-Alexander (10 of 13).

Holmgren added a game-high nine rebounds and four blocks.

Oklahoma City had lost four of six, three of those to San Antonio.

The game was the second in a five-game road trip for Philadelphia.

--Field Level Media

20022907

Latest