OKLAHOMA CITY — Operating in the close mid-range area, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fought through defenders to splash in the short turnaround jumper ... The second half was much of the same story. The ...

The Thunder flexed its league-best defense to beat the defending champion Celtics 105-92 on Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City. The Thunder held the Celtics to 27 second-half points.

James Harden, sidelined and still as bearded as ever, looked on as this iteration of the Thunder accomplished something his — or any of those before or after — never did. Oklahoma City ...