Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 41 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-105 victory over the struggling Washington Wizards on Monday night. The win dealt the Wizards their 21st loss in the last 23 games, extending their road losing streak to a dismal 12 games.
Backing up Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance, Jalen Williams contributed 17 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder. Oklahoma City shot 44.3% from the field and was efficient from the free-throw line, converting 19 of 22 attempts.
The Thunder held a narrow 67-63 lead at halftime, which they extended to 91-87 going into the final quarter. A decisive 19-3 run by Oklahoma City to start the fourth period put the game out of reach for the Wizards.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who initially struggled with just two points in the first quarter, exploded for 41 points on 14-of-25 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. He also contributed nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks, showcasing his diverse skill set.
On the Wizards’ side, Jordan Poole led the scoring with 31 points, followed by Carlton “Bub” Carrington with 14 points and Jonas Valanciunas with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Washington was missing key contributors Kyle Kuzma, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr, all sidelined for the contest.
Notable takeaways from the game included Washington’s strong start from beyond the arc, where they connected on 16 of their first 32 attempts but struggled thereafter, missing 11 consecutive three-pointers. Meanwhile, the Thunder faced their own challenges from long range, shooting a mere 26.3%; however, timely three-pointers from rookies Ajay Mitchell and Williams, alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, in the fourth quarter helped secure the victory.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Oklahoma City forward Jaylin Williams made his season debut to a rousing reception with 9:41 left in the second quarter. Williams immediately made an impact by sinking a three-pointer, capping off a crucial 13-0 run that propelled the Thunder into the lead.
The Wizards’ struggles were compounded by turnovers, as they committed 19 miscues leading to 24 points for the Thunder, underscoring the importance of ball security in the outcome of the game.
Looking ahead, the Wizards will aim to bounce back as they host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, while the Thunder will hit the road to face the Indiana Pacers on the same day.
