Oklahoma
Three Takeaways From OKC Thunder’s Fiery Win Over Heat
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Miami Heat Sunday night, 124-112, in Paycom Center. The Thunder used a 32-10 third-quarter run to take control of what was a close game.
This win is OKC’s third straight, improving its record to 33-7 on the season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 29 points and eight assists and Chet Holmgren added 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
The Heat shot 53.1% from behind the arc, but still could not come out on top. Here are three takeaways from the run-filled Thunder victory:
1. Sheer Brilliance From the MVP
After a first quarter full of struggles, scoring just three points on 1-of-6 shooting, Gilgeous-Alexander used a stretch of 10 consecutive made field goals to score 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting. The reigning MVP saw double teams throughout the night, assisting on eight made shots as well.
Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 16 third-quarter points, sparking a dominant Thunder stretch of play. He was a +8 in 32 minutes.
The Canadian guard adjusted to the Heat’s heavy pressure following his early-second-quarter rest, looking comfortable scoring the rock the rest of the way. Gilgeous-Alexander now has scored 20-plus points in 109 consecutive games, approaching closer to the NBA record of 126.
2. Third Quarter Thunderstorm
A key sign of the Thunder looking to be coming out of the midseason rut, playing at a.500 level for a six-game span, is the team’s patented dominant third quarters returned against the Heat.
Oklahoma City went on a 32-10 run throughout the bulk of the third quarter to power itself to an eight-point lead at the break. The Thunder won the period by 13 points, 39-26.
Effort was contagious, with the team forcing turnovers and forcing misses at will, pushing the ball on the fast break at high speeds, replicating the Heat’s high-pace style of play. The shooting stroke came alive as well, with OKC shooting a blistering 5-for-11 (45.5%) from long range after hitting just two threes on 15 attempts in the first half.
The three-point line had not been kind to the Thunder in recent games, but it sparked a run full of top-tier offensive basketball for them tonight.
3. Jalen Williams’ Offense Is Coming Alive
Following a strong 26-point, 10-assist effort in the Thunder’s comeback win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 9, Williams tallied 18 points and four assists in 29 minutes of play against the Heat. Williams was an efficient 9-of-13 on the night, picking up two steals on defense as well.
As he continues to get back in form following two offseason wrist surgeries, continued efforts to string together efficient basketball are vital for the All-NBA forward’s performance. Williams cut and drove to the rim consistently, finding efficient looks inside.
Despite missing his only three-point attempt, Williams hit multiple midrange jumpshots, with his wrist looking more comfortable every game.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) — Oklahoma lawmakers have voted to honor country music artist and Oklahoma native Toby Keith.
House Concurrent Resolution 1019 recognizes Keith’s lasting impact on music and proposes renaming a planned turnpike in his memory.
The concurrent resolution was authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Morgan, and Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman.
The planned route will extend from Interstate 44 east to Interstate 35, then continue east and north to I-40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike.
Copyright 2026 KSWO. All rights reserved.
Governor Kevin Stitt has said he wants the State Superintendent of Education to be a governor-elected position instead of an elected one. Political analyst Scott Mitchell examines what this would mean for the state.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging lawmakers to send a state question to voters that would make the state superintendent an appointed position, as he named Lindel Fields of Tulsa to the role and announced a turnaround team to help implement his education agenda.
Is the State Superintendent an elected role?
Yes, the State Superintendent of Education is still an elected role. Elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
Cons of making the superintendent an appointed position
Mitchell said making this position appointed could cause distrust among some Oklahomans
“Over the years, we’ve seen that capture of regulatory sort of is easy to do when you have term limits, then lobbies become more powerful, and they have all the history. It’s very complicated.
He also said if the position were to be elected, they would likely have the same agenda as the governor.
“Yes, and I think the governor would be absolutely saying, ‘Yes, they’re going to do what I want them to do.’”
Changing how the superintendent is chosen changes what the founding fathers set.
“Voters are going to have to say yay or nay if it gets to them, is whether or not we want to change the way that the founding fathers set up the way that we make sure that power is not concentrated in Oklahoma,” he said.
Is Ryan Walters’ term the reason Stitt wants to make this position appointed?
Mitchell said he believes the former State Superintendent played a role in the government wanting to appoint this position.
During his time as superintendent, Walters was known to have multiple controversies. He resigned in 2025, allowing Stitt to appoint Lindel Fields.
“His impact on this, even though he’s gone, is certainly evident,” said Mitchell. “Walters left midstream, right? And so the governor had a chance to appoint someone. Well, it wasn’t just an appointment; it was chaos before and relative calm and competency after. And that has given the governor an opening for people to see with their own eyes. Yeah, you can put somebody in, we’re talking about Lindel Fields, that appears to get up every day, not trying to find some, get a click on social media, but rather to do his job. And across the board, for the most part, this guy’s getting thumbs up.
Stitt said electing Fields has already given him some leverage since he has been well perceived so far.
“That allows a governor to say, Look, I’ve got some standing, some leverage to go to the voters and say, let’s put expertise as the main reason that a person’s there, not because they were able to win an election because they had some sort of populist or dramatic ideas.”
Who is running for Oklahoma State Superintendent?
Republican Ballot
- Sen. Adam Pugh
- John Cox
- Rep. Toni Hasenbeck
- Ana Landsaw
Democrat Ballot
- Craig Mcvay
- Jennettie Marshall
Independent
To learn more about each candidate, click here.
A full breakdown of candidates in the 2026 Oklahoma State Superintendent race, including party affiliation, background and key education priorities.
An Oklahoma highway could soon be named after the late country superstar, Toby Keith, pending new legislation.
House Concurrent Resolution 1019 would rename a proposed turnpike project the “Toby Keith Expressway.” This roadway is set to be built from Interstate 44 East to Interstate-35, continuing East and North to Interstate 40. This road is a part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan, which is meant to update and expand the state’s turnpike system.
This resolution was adopted by the House on Wednesday.
“Toby Keith was more than a country music star. He was a proud Oklahoman who never forgot where he came from,” said Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore. “Naming this turnpike in his honor is a fitting way to recognize a man who represented our state with ultimate patriotism and generosity.”
Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, raised in Moore and resided in Norman. He died on February 5, 2024, in a battle with cancer.
“Over the course of his legendary career, Toby Keith never forgot where he came from or what he stood for,” said Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. “His Oklahoma roots shaped him, and his love of America defined him. He was a country music superstar and a true patriot. I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by naming this future stretch of Norman turnpike in his honor, creating a lasting tribute to the legacy he leaves behind.”
During his career, Keith sold over 40 million records and more than 20 number-one singles
Legislation authors believe this would commemorate the life and legacy of Toby Keith.
The bill will now head to the Senate.
To read the full House Resolution, click here.
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