The hottest team in the NBA had every reason to go cold.
OKC's 14-game winning streak was on the line when it faced Utah on a frigid Sunday night in Salt Lake City, and it didn't even have extra bodies to keep its bench warm. Seven players from its 15-man roster were unavailable, including superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (left elbow bursitis).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd yet the Thunder's competitive fire could be seen from the opening tipoff, as the hot hand spread to whoever touched the ball. It scorched the net so much that even its basket overheated midway through the second quarter.
Cason Wallace threw a lob to Chet Holmgren, who threw down a vicious one-handed dunk. The smoke cannon behind the basket then went off, and it took a few minutes for the faulty device to be shut down.
But even that wasn't enough to cool off OKC, and neither was a nearly-15-minute delay in the third quarter due to issues with the game clock. The short-handed Thunder stayed warm through both delays and ultimately earned a 131-101 win.
Holmgren and Jalen Williams led OKC (23-1) by scoring 25 points apiece. The Thunder is only the third team in NBA history to start a season 23-1 or better.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere are three takeaways from the win:
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Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Dec 7, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Branden Carlson (15) prepares to shoot a three-point basket against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesBranden Carlson quickly made himself at home
Utahns know who Branden Carlson is.
He's the hometown kid who grew up in South Jordan. He attended Bingham High, where he led the school to a 2015-16 Class 5A state championship. And he spent all five of his college seasons at Utah, where he earned three All-Pac-12 selections.
But for the few people inside Delta Center who weren't familiar with Carlson, it didn't take long for that to change. After checking into the game late in the first quarter, the 7-foot center caught a pass from Ajay Mitchell down low on his first play and posterized the smaller Isaiah Collier.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat sparked an 11-point scoring spree for Carlson, who racked up those buckets in only two minutes and nine seconds.
Carlson capitalized on an expanded role Sunday. The two-way player finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.
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Jalen Williams had the upper hand all night
Williams is still recovering from a nagging right shooting wrist injury.
The All-NBA forward underwent multiple procedures to address a torn ligament, and he was sidelined for OKC's first 19 games of the season as a result. And yet he had no trouble using that hand to deliver a gut punch with 7:52 left in the third quarter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe game clock and shot clock had just started working again, giving fans at Delta Center something to cheer about on a night when their team was getting blown out. But Williams halted those celebrations by attacking the rim and posterizing Kyle Filipowski.
Williams had the upper hand from the jump. He barreled into the lane for easy buckets, showcased his playmaking skills and pestered opposing players on defense.
It only took 25 minutes for Williams to rack up 25 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals. He shot 11 for 19 from the field (1 for 3 from deep).
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Dec 7, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) reacts after a dunk against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesThe Thunder cruised to yet another blowout victory
Holmgren and Williams shared a few laughs as they sat next to each other on the bench to start the fourth quarter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe two stars had served as the driving force for OKC's offense all night. But they could finally go into cruise control, as the machine-like Thunder kept rolling without them on the floor.
Holmgren and Williams watched as Ousmane Dieng glided through the air along the baseline before making a wrap-around pass to Aaron Wiggins for a 3-pointer. They then watched as Jaylin Williams stepped in front of Walter Clayton Jr. to draw a charge on the very next play.
OKC continued to dominate until the final buzzer sounded, sealing its 131-101 win. The Thunder boasts an average point differential of 16.2 points this season, and it has led by at least 30 points in nine games.
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTip-ins
OKC was without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (left elbow bursitis), Alex Caruso (right quad contusion), Lu Dort (right adductor strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus calf strain) and Isaiah Joe (left knee soreness). Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgery recovery) and Nikola Topić (surgery recovery).
OKC went 11 for 17 from deep (64.7%) in the first quarter. That set the record for the most made 3-pointers by an NBA team during any quarter this season.
Ousmane Dieng scored 14 points on 4-for-5 shooting from deep (80%). His four made 3-pointers is a new career high.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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Thunder vs. Suns
TIPOFF: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (Prime Video)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder routs Utah Jazz for 15th straight win despite SGA injury
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