OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Chet Holmgren had 29 points and nine rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the second half for a 129-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, ending a two-game skid.
Holmgren made 12 of 17 shots, including 2 of 4 from 3-point-range, for Oklahoma City (27-5), which was coming off consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs.
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Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) goes to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) goes to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks to pass the ball away from Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
The Thunder shot 50 for 87 (57%).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points, five assists and two steals, and Jalen Williams added 14 points and six assists for the NBA-leading Thunder (27-5).
Gilgeous-Alexander made 10 of 13 field goals and shot 7 for 9 from the line before sitting out the fourth quarter. He scored at least 20 points for the 103rd consecutive game.
Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points, Quentin Grimes had 13 and former Oklahoma City star Paul George added 12 for Philadelphia (16-14), which played without injured starter Joel Embid (ankle). Philadelphia committed 23 turnovers leading to 31 Oklahoma City points.
George received a warm welcome from the Oklahoma City crowd. His 2019 trade to the Clippers helped shape the NBA champion Thunder, who received Gilgeous-Alexander and later Williams in the deal.
The Thunder made their first nine field goals, but Maxey helped the 76ers keep it close with 23 first-half points. His 3-pointer with 1:42 left in the second quarter gave Philadelphia a 61-59 lead. But Gilgeous-Alexander's 13-footer with 36.2 seconds left gave Oklahoma City a 64-62 lead at the break.
Oklahoma City took control in the third quarter, outscoring Philadelphia 38-24 for a 102-86 lead heading into the fourth. Gilgeous Alexander scored 11 points in the third before taking a seat.
76ers: At the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
Thunder: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) goes to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) goes to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks to pass the ball away from Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The chants got louder as Drake Maye jogged off the field after another terrific performance and neared the visitors' tunnel leading to the New England Patriots' locker room.
“MVP! MVP! MVP!” a large group of fired-up fans shouted as they serenaded their second-year quarterback, who again made a strong case Sunday that he might be exactly that this season.
Maye threw a career-high five touchdown passes in less than three quarters as the Patriots dominated the New York Jets 42-10 to improve to 13-3, including 8-0 on the road, and move closer to winning the AFC East title for the first time since 2019.
“They don’t give me a vote,” coach Mike Vrabel said, “but there is nobody else we want as our quarterback or that I want as our quarterback.”
Maye made it look easy against the Jets, leading the Patriots on touchdown drives on each of their first six possessions.
He was 19 of 21 for 256 yards and a 157.0 quarterback rating with TD tosses to Rhamondre Stevenson, Stefon Diggs, Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry and Efton Chism III before being lifted for Joshua Dobbs with 5:31 left in the third quarter. Maye became the first player in NFL history to complete 90% of his passes while throwing for 250 or more yards and five TDs in a single game.
“Guys getting open, guys running the right routes,” said Maye, who got the game ball in the postgame locker room but humbly attributed his success to his teammates. “The guys up front blocking their butts off to give me time to make plays and extend plays and find guys down the field.”
The 24-year-old Maye has been capitalizing on those opportunities all season in what has been a breakout year that followed a promising rookie campaign.
He has already been selected to the Pro Bowl Games twice since being drafted with the No. 3 overall pick last year out of North Carolina.
“We want to get the ball in his hands as much as we can,” safety Jaylinn Hawkins said. “He makes it happen. He’s out there just doing what he does, having fun. He’s confident, he’s playing with swag.”
Maye also joined Tom Brady (11 times) and Drew Bledsoe (twice) as the only New England quarterbacks to reach 4,000 yards passing in a season. Maye has 4,203 through 16 games, along with 30 TD passes and just eight interceptions.
“Whatever it takes to win,” he said. “That’s the most important thing. The only thing I care about is our won-loss record. We still have work to do and some games ahead that should be fun.”
Maye made his NFL debut last year at MetLife Stadium last year in Week 3, when he replaced Jacoby Brissett in the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the Jets. He went 4 of 8 for 22 yards in mop-up action, but made his first NFL start three weeks later.
“It’s pretty funny looking back,” Maye said. “The stadium was pumped for that Thursday night game and it’s kind of a full-circle moment just of how far we’ve come and kind of the flip side of things — this year compared to last and how much fun we’re having out there.”
The Patriots have bounced back from consecutive 4-13 finishes to return the franchise to its winning ways in Vrabel's first year as coach. Maye has thrived along the way, establishing himself as one of the NFL's best playmaking quarterbacks — and perhaps the league's most valuable player.
“He goes out there and shows it every week,” cornerback Christian Gonzalez said. “I think that’s something he’s earned. Him and this team are focused on winning games. If it happens to be him, then it is.”
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford would appear to be Maye's biggest competition for the award, voted on by a panel selected by The Associated Press. Fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo, Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence and the Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert are also considered contenders.
But the Patriots are backing their guy, of course.
And so are the fans, who shower Maye with those “MVP! MVP!” chants — whether they're at home or on the road.
“He goes in there with a mindset,” Stevenson said. "Wednesday is our first day of practice. He kind of wants to win the game on Wednesday and throughout the week until he gets to Sunday. That’s a big thing for him and the team, putting our best foot forward in practice and reaping the rewards on Sunday.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates after a win over the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye talks during a news conference after his team defeated the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
