The New York Knicks’ impressive winning streak came to an end on Friday night as they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-107, at Paycom Center. This highly anticipated matchup featured two of the hottest teams in the NBA, with the Thunder leading the Western Conference and the Knicks ranked third in the Eastern Conference.

Both teams showcased their offensive prowess in the first quarter, with the Knicks making 14 of 23 shots and the Thunder hitting 13 of 23. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quickly made his presence felt, scoring 14 points in the opening period. Despite the physical play, the Knicks trailed by just three points, 33-30, after the first quarter.

The Knicks struggled to find their rhythm at the start of the second quarter, going without a field goal until OG Anunoby hit a three-pointer with 8:11 remaining. Despite tough defense from the Thunder, the Knicks managed to build a 14-point lead late in the quarter. Their strong ball movement and aggressive play helped them outscore the Thunder by 15 points, taking a 66-54 lead into halftime. Anunoby and Mikal Bridges combined for 34 points in the first half, while Gilgeous-Alexander was held to just two points in the second quarter.

The Thunder came out strong in the third quarter, quickly cutting into the Knicks’ lead with an 8-0 run. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout to regroup, and the team managed to extend their lead back to double digits. However, the Thunder’s resilience kept the game close, with the Knicks holding an 88-80 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

An injury scare for Anunoby occurred late in the third quarter when he landed hard on his surgically-repaired right elbow after a highlight-reel dunk. Fortunately, he was cleared to return after being checked by trainers. The Thunder continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, quickly cutting the deficit and eventually taking their first lead since the second quarter. The Knicks’ confidence seemed to wane as the Thunder seized control.

Aaron Wiggins emerged as an unlikely hero for the Thunder, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter and helping to shift the momentum in favor of Oklahoma City. The Thunder’s bench outscored the Knicks’ bench 44-5, highlighting the depth and resilience of the home team. Despite strong performances from Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 17 points and 22 rebounds, and Bridges, who led the Knicks with 24 points, the Thunder’s balanced attack proved too much for New York.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the game’s MVP, finishing with 33 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. His performance, along with key contributions from the Thunder’s bench, secured the victory and ended the Knicks’ nine-game winning streak.

The Knicks (24-11) will look to bounce back and start a new winning streak when they face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.