The NBA has lost its last stronghold. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first loss of the season Wednesday night, narrowly falling 121-119 to the Portland Trail Blazers . This defeat marks the end of the league's undefeated streak, a reminder that even the greatest teams can stumble.

A Cruel Final in Portland

In a nail-biting contest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's players came agonizingly close to pulling off a major upset. SGA, in spectacular fashion with 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists , led the charge. However, a fateful detail sealed the game's fate.

Just as Isaiah Joe thought he had forced overtime with a buzzer-beater, VAR intervened: his foot had grazed the three-point line. The result: only two free throws were awarded, and OKC's hopes vanished with six-tenths of a second remaining.

Despite disappointing overall shooting from both sides (41.8% for OKC, 40.9% for Portland), the Blazers, led by Tiago Splitter , showed composure in the crucial moments. The hero of the night for Portland was undoubtedly Deni Avdija , who delivered a monumental performance: 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists , with surgical efficiency from the free-throw line (15/16).

Westbrook, Nostalgia in Triple-Double

Although OKC's unbeaten streak came to an end, the evening held another highly symbolic event. Russell Westbrook took fans back to his best years by recording his first triple-double since 2021: 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists .

Between the end of the champion's perfect streak and the unexpected resurgence of its former leader, this night will be remembered as an emotional turning point for the NBA.