The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to 12 games on Sunday with a 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers – the only team to defeat the defending NBA champions this season.

With the win, Oklahoma City became the fourth team in NBA history to open at least 20-1, joining the 1969-70 New York Knicks (20-1), 1993-94 Houston Rockets (20-1) and 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (21-0).

The Thunder began the campaign with eight straight wins before suffering their only loss on November 5 against Portland (8-12).

Oklahoma City's last three wins have come by a combined 20 points after they outscored opponents by an average of 22.3 points in the first nine games of their win streak.

12 STRAIGHT WINS

The Thunder win on the road in Portland and become the 4th team in NBA history to start a season 20-1 or better! They join the 2015-16 Warriors (21-0), 1993-94 Rockets (20-1) and 1969-70 Knicks (20-1). pic.twitter.com/TYCogEcZuz

— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2025

Reigning league and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points, five assists and four rebounds Sunday to lead six players in double-figure scoring for Oklahoma City.

Deni Avdija posted his second triple-double of the season with 31 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists as the Trail Blazers lost for the ninth time in 12 games since their victory over the Thunder earlier this month.

James-less Lakers push winning streak to seven games

The Los Angeles Lakers came away with their seventh straight win by getting past the lowly New Orleans Pelicans 133-121 without LeBron James in the lineup.

Luka Doncic led Los Angeles (15-4) with 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Austin Reaves scored 33 to go along with eight assists and five boards, and Deandre Ayton had 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

James made his season debut on November 18 after missing training camp and the Lakers’ first 14 contests due to sciatica.

He averaged 16.5 points, 8.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds in Los Angeles’ next four games before not playing Sunday in the opener of a back-to-back set due to left-foot injury management.

The Lakers have won 13 of their last 15 contests to take a four-game lead in the Pacific Division over the Phoenix Suns, who visit Los Angeles on Monday.

Seven in a row for the Lake Show pic.twitter.com/R57HfoVzoX

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 1, 2025

The Western Conference-worst Pelicans (3-18) played without their top two scorers in Zion Williamson (left hamstring injury management) and Trey Murphy III (right elbow soreness).

New Orleans got a career-high 23 points from Bryce McGowens, Saddiq Bey scored 22 and pulled down 11 rebounds, and rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears added 21 points.

Surging Knicks beat Raptors in Atlantic Division clash

The New York Knicks edged past Toronto for first place in the Atlantic Division after beating the Raptors 116-94 for their fourth consecutive victory.

New York improved to 13-6 while Toronto fell to 14-7, giving the Knicks the top spot in the division with a .684 winning percentage compared to .667 for Toronto.

Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Hart added 20 points, 12 boards, seven assists and three steals to help the Knicks move to 10-1 at home.

Former New York guard Immanuel Quickley had 19 points and eight assists for the Raptors, who lost for the second straight time following a nine-game winning streak.

Toronto will host New York on December 9 in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals of the NBA Cup.

DUB IN THE MECCA pic.twitter.com/rHZe4k7Wqy

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 1, 2025