Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Thunder star beats Pistons in OT after game-winner is waved off

By Sean Keane | Last updated Mar 31, 2026 9:20 AM ET

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thought he had a game-winning three-pointer at the end of regulation before he was called for an offensive foul. Then he won the game in overtime instead.

Facing a plucky, shorthanded Detroit Pistons team, SGA got a steal with 12 seconds left but got called for a push-off at the other end. In the extra period, Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight points as the Oklahoma City Thunder won, 114-110.

Short-handed Pistons gave Thunder a battle

The Pistons played without four starters: Duncan Robinson, Tobias Harris and All-Stars Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham. They got 21 points and four blocks from center Paul Reed, 19 points and five three-pointers from Javonte Green and seven rebounds and a block from Tolu Smith in only his 12th NBA game.

Thanks to forcing 17 Thunder turnovers, Detroit was up seven points with less than four minutes remaining before SGA (47 points) went to work. He scored eight points in the final 3:39 of regulation and found Jaylin Williams (the other Jalen Williams was out with an injury) for a game-tying three-pointer with 1:35 to go.

JWILL TIES THE GAME WITH 65 SECONDS TO GO pic.twitter.com/18ATKlBctJ
— NBA (@NBA) March 31, 2026

The Pistons couldn't do anything to stop Gilgeous-Alexander in the extra period, especially when Ausar Thompson fouled out guarding SGA in the fourth — and backup defender Ron Holland picked up his sixth foul contesting Gilgeous-Alexander's shot with 49 seconds left.

SGA steps back for 41, PURE. ‍

#1 seeds battling in OT! pic.twitter.com/lvyZsP7Rz6
— NBA (@NBA) March 31, 2026

Detroit Pistons challenged OKC Thunder in potential Finals preview

The absence of the Pistons starters, not to mention Isaiah Hartenstein and Williams for the Thunder, took some of the luster of the matchup between two first-place teams. However, the Pistons made an impressive effort, showing the NBA's No. 2 defense can still be effective with a short-handed roster.

The most encouraging performance came from Kevin Huerter, who had 17 points, six rebounds and six assists and just one turnover. Huerter started slow after coming over from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline, but he now has 50 points in his last three games while going 8-for-20 from three-point range.

Thompson and Holland both fouled out, but they had three steals each. The 20-year-old Holland's emergence gives the Pistons an important extra option as a perimeter defender.

With both teams close to locking up home-court advantage for the playoffs, this could very well be the NBA Finals matchup. At least, if both teams can get healthy. Still, no matter who is on the floor against him, there may not be anyone who can stop the reigning MVP in crunch time. Except a referee.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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