NBA Recap: Thunder, Pistons Win Thrillers; Celtics, Knicks Cruise

Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to overtime win over Nuggets

NBA action heats up: Thunder beat Nuggets in OT, Pistons edge Cavs, Celtics crush Nets 148-111, and Knicks dominate Bucks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns as Thunder beat Nuggets 127-121 in overtime. Celtics and Knicks also win big.

Pistons, Celtics, and Knicks lead Eastern Conference charge with thrilling wins...

The Oklahoma City Thunder marked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's return with a thrilling 127-121 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, scored 36 points in just under 34 minutes, before sitting out overtime due to an abdominal strain.

The game was intense, with the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic recording 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, while Jamal Murray led Denver with 39 points. The Thunder's Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. The matchup featured multiple technical fouls and an ejection for Luguentz Dort, who tripped Jokic, sparking a scuffle.

Got it done in OT 😤 pic.twitter.com/qGsn1cQjTA

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 28, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was relieved to be back, saying, “Felt good,” and adding, “I'm just thankful to be back.” The Thunder star's return was a boost to his team.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 39 points, while Nikola Jokic had an impressive triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists. The Nuggets had a tense, physical battle with the Thunder, at one point leading by as many as 16.

The game got heated when Thunder forward Luguentz Dort was ejected for a flagrant foul after tripping Jokic, sparking a shoving match. Jokic and Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams also got technical fouls in the scuffle.

The Thunder were trailing 83-77 going into the fourth quarter, but they managed to edge ahead 107-105 with 1:23 left in regulation. However, Nikola Jokic tied the game with 38 seconds remaining, sending it to overtime. In the extra session, Oklahoma City scored the first five points and hung on for the win, maintaining their two-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs atop the Western Conference.

This thrilling comeback win was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 36 points in his return from injury. Chet Holmgren also had a standout performance with 15 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. The game was marked by a scuffle involving Jokic, Lu Dort, and Jaylin Williams, resulting in Dort's ejection.

“It was a great game,” said Thunder center Chet Holmgren. “You want to play against the best players, the best teams, and they brought the intensity tonight.”

Detroit, the Eastern Conference leaders, edged Cleveland 122-119 in a gritty overtime win. The Cavs were up by nine with less than three minutes left, but the Pistons fought back, tying it on Daniss Jenkins' three free throws after he was fouled from half-court.

Jenkins, who got fouled by Jaylon Tyson, had a wild finish - he launched a half-court heave as he got up from the foul. The Pistons scored the first seven points in overtime to seal the win. 

Detroit dominated the start of overtime, scoring the first six points to take control. They held on from there, securing a gritty 122-119 win over Cleveland.

Jalen Duren led the Pistons with 33 points and 16 rebounds, while Cade Cunningham added 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists before fouling out late. 

Jarrett Allen topped Cleveland with 25 points, while Evan Mobley added 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Cavs were missing key players - James Harden (broken thumb) and Donovan Mitchell (groin strain).

The Pistons improved to 43-14, extending their lead to five games over the Boston Celtics atop the Eastern Conference.

 

Final.@Redfin | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/sxTtfoLekG

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 28, 2026

Celtics Crush Nets in High-Scoring Affair

The Celtics bounced back from a sluggish loss to the Nuggets with a 148-111 blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. Jaylen Brown and Nikola Vucevic led the charge with 28 points each, connecting on 66.7% of their shots. The Celtics were on fire, drilling 22 three-pointers on 34 attempts. 

Final#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/RVqBIZfjpj

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 28, 2026

The Knicks dominated in Milwaukee, cruising to a 127-98 win over the Bucks. Jalen Brunson led with 27 points, while OG Anunoby added 24. The Knicks had seven players score in double figures, bouncing back from a tough loss to the Cavs.

New York remains 1.5 games behind the Celtics in the battle for second in the Eastern Conference. 

The Bucks had been on a roll, winning eight of their prior 10 games, but their momentum was halted by the Knicks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence due to a calf strain didn't help, and Myles Turner couldn't carry the load alone, despite leading the team with 19 points.

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Turner had a strong first quarter, scoring 18 points, but the Knicks took control, fueled by Jalen Brunson's 22 points in the first period. They led 77-57 at halftime and pushed the lead to as many as 32.