Thunder Top Pistons in OT Behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 47 Points

Oklahoma City extends winning streak to 15 of 16 games

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:10am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's heroics lift the Thunder over the short-handed Pistons in a thrilling overtime battle.Oklahoma City Today

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points to lift the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-110 overtime win over the short-handed Detroit Pistons on Monday in a matchup of conference leaders. Gilgeous-Alexander opened overtime with a step-back jumper, found Alex Caruso for a corner 3-pointer with just more than a minute remaining and then hit six free throws in the final minute.

Why it matters

The Thunder continue their impressive run, winning 15 of their last 16 games and keeping pace with the Pistons for the best record in their respective conferences. Despite being short-handed, the Pistons put up a fight, showcasing their resilience and the depth of their roster.

The details

Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder, pouring in 47 points to lift his team to victory in overtime. The Pistons, playing without their top five scorers, stayed in the game thanks to a 16-4 advantage in second-chance points. Paul Reed recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Detroit, but it wasn't enough to overcome the heroics of Gilgeous-Alexander.

  • The game took place on Monday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who scored 47 points to lead his team to victory.

Paul Reed

The Pistons forward who recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

Alex Caruso

The Thunder guard who hit a crucial 3-pointer in overtime to help seal the win.

Detroit Pistons

The Eastern Conference-leading team that was short-handed for the game but still put up a fight against the Thunder.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Western Conference-leading team that extended their impressive winning streak to 15 of 16 games with the overtime victory.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same energy and determination, regardless of who is on the floor. This was a hard-fought game and I'm proud of the effort from our guys.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

“Shai was simply unstoppable tonight. He carried us on his back and made all the big plays when we needed them most. This was a huge win for us against a tough opponent.”

— Mark Daigneault, Head Coach, Oklahoma City Thunder

What’s next

The Thunder will look to continue their hot streak as they take on the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, April 2nd. The Pistons will try to bounce back when they host the Miami Heat on Friday, April 4th.

The takeaway

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's dominant performance highlighted the Thunder's ability to win tough games against conference leaders, even when short-handed. The Pistons' resilience in the face of adversity showed the depth of their roster and their potential to be a force in the playoffs.