OKC Thunder's NBA-record win streak vs East ends in blowout loss to LaMelo Ball, Hornets

5 days ago 2

OKC's in-house host did all he could to pump up the crowd at Paycom Center before the start of the fourth quarter.

It's a tradition for Thunder home games, and it's always an effective way of creating an electric atmosphere for the final 12 minutes. But he wasn't able to breathe life into the arena on Monday.

Brandon Miller had already taken the air out of the place by drilling a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter. One of the many soul-crushing shots delivered by Charlotte, which ultimately stunned everyone by earning a 124-97 win over the reigning NBA champions.

It snapped an NBA-record 24-game winning streak against Eastern Conference teams for the Thunder, dating back to last Jan. 8 at Cleveland.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 21 points and six assists in the loss. Chet Holmgren added 15 points and six rebounds for the Thunder (30-7).

Brandon Miller led the Hornets (13-23) with 28 points and six rebounds. Kon Knueppel added 23 points and five assists.

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title

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Ajay Mitchell can change a quarter

When you need to change a quarter, call No. 25.

That has been the solution as of late for OKC head coach Mark Daigneault, who has turned to Ajay Mitchell with hopes of dialing up the intensity.

It happened Sunday against Phoenix, which claimed momentum early in the third quarter before the backup guard checked in. He scored four points in his first minute and 36 seconds of action while also playing some physical defense.

And it happened again during the first quarter of Monday's game against Charlotte, which held a 21-9 lead at the 5:42 mark when Mitchell's number was called. He then scored five points in his first 48 seconds and even swiped the ball away from LaMelo Ball.

Despite only being a sophomore, Mitchell has shown an ability to thrive when thrusted into tough situations. It's a big reason why he's a Sixth Man of the Year candidate who entered Monday with averages of 13.9 points, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals.

And even though OKC lost to Charlotte by 27 points, Mitchell only finished with a plus-minus of negative-five. He recorded 11 points, three steals and three rebounds in 24 minutes.

More: Why Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is no longer NBA's best-kept secret: 'He's cold'

Charlotte guard Sion James (4) fights for a rebound with Oklahoma City guard Kenrich Williams (34) and Oklahoma City center Branden Carlson (15) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

OKC misses Isaiah Hartenstein's presence on the boards

Isaiah Hartenstein is OKC's rock. An immovable boulder who can't be pushed out of the way when battling down low for a rebound.

But when Moussa Diabaté overpowered Holmgren for an offensive board and a putback dunk midway through the second quarter, all Hartenstein could do was give a stone-faced expression as he watched from the bench.

The Thunder's starting center couldn't help even if he wanted to. He wore a black zip-up hoodie and gray sweatpants instead of his uniform, unable to suit up for a fifth straight game due to a nagging right soleus (calf) strain.

And his absence has been felt.

OKC got outrebounded 52-34 on Monday without Hartenstein, who's averaging a team-high 10.4 boards per game. It has now been outrebounded by an average of 6.2 rebounds during Hartenstein's five-game absence, and it has given up an average of 14.6 offensive boards.

More: Why Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein always looks to 'give back' to OKC

It all starts with OKC's defense

OKC has gone 6-6 in its last 12 games.

And while it has left plenty of room for improvement in multiple areas, the main source of its struggles is no secret.

It all starts with OKC's defense, which has given up an average of 117 points in those six losses. Opponents have shot 47.5% from the field and 41.6% from deep.

More: How did Lu Dort, Thunder players buy in to OKC system? Sacrifice is 'for the better'

Tip-ins

∎ OKC was without Brooks Barnhizer (G League two-way), Alex Caruso (low back soreness), Ousmane Dieng (right calf strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgery recovery), Nikola Topić (surgery recovery) and Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis).

∎ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 108 straight games. It's the second-longest streak in NBA history, only trailing Wilt Chamberlain (126).

Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com 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.