Thunder Extend Win Streak to 11 Despite Ejections, LeBron James Makes History
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run, securing their 11th consecutive victory with a 132-111 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday. However, the game was marred by a significant altercation that led to the ejection of four players. Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reached a new milestone in the NBA, extending his career longevity.
Stormy Victory for the Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a dominant 40-point performance, fueling their winning streak. Chet Holmgren contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein nearly recorded a triple-double with nine points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Thunder’s offensive prowess proved too much for the Wizards, despite the team being shorthanded for a significant portion of the game.
Brawl Erupts, Four Players Ejected
The game took a chaotic turn in the second quarter with 27 seconds remaining, following a basket by Oklahoma City that extended their lead to 68-63. A physical exchange between Thunder forward Jaylin Williams and Wizards player Justin Champagnie escalated quickly. According to reports, Williams twice bumped into Champagnie, prompting a confrontation from Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell. The situation spiraled when Mitchell was struck in the face, igniting a full-scale brawl involving multiple players.
Referee Nate Green attempted to de-escalate the situation, pushing Champagnie back, but Mitchell continued to advance and was subsequently pushed into a camera and a pile of players. Williams, Champagnie, Mitchell, and Thunder teammate Cason Wallace were ejected from the game. The altercation caused an 11-minute delay.
Daigneault Addresses Ejections
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the intensity of the situation, stating he disagreed with the ejections but was pleased with how his team responded after the skirmish. “Those are emotional situations, and everybody is competitive and amped up after that,” Daigneault said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Source
LeBron James Breaks NBA Appearance Record
While the Thunder were battling on the court, LeBron James was making history of his own. The Lakers superstar played in his 1,612th regular season game, breaking the NBA record for most games played. This milestone further cements James’s legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history. The game against the Orlando Magic provided the backdrop for this remarkable achievement.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Historic Night
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is rapidly establishing himself as one of the league’s premier players. His 40-point performance against the Wizards is his seventh 40-point game of the season. He is the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and a four-time NBA All-Star, according to his Wikipedia page. Source. Recently, on March 9, 2026, Gilgeous-Alexander joined LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to record 35+ points, 15+ assists, and zero turnovers in a single game. He achieved this feat against the Denver Nuggets, dishing out 15 assists alongside his 35 points.
Looking Ahead for the Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder (42-18) will seem to continue their winning ways as they face the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, March 26th at 8:00 PM UTC. This game will be a crucial test for the Thunder as they aim to maintain their position in the Western Conference standings. The team’s ability to overcome adversity, as demonstrated by their response to the ejections against the Wizards, will be key to their continued success.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will continue their season with a game against the Miami Heat on March 25th.
The NBA season is heating up, and both the Thunder and the Lakers are poised to make a deep playoff run. Fans can expect more exciting matchups and memorable moments as the season progresses.
