Title: Short-Handed Thunder Dominate 76ers with Triple-Double Performance
Oklahoma City – Jaylin Williams recorded a career-best 19 points along with 17 rebounds and 11 assists for his second triple-double, propelling the Oklahoma City Thunder to a comfortable 133-100 victory over the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and three other starters were sidelined for the Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s top scorer at 33.0 points per game and a strong MVP contender, sat out for rest, while Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jalen Williams were absent due to injuries. Aaron Wiggins contributed 26 points for the Thunder, who secured the Northwest Division title and moved closer to clinching the top seed in the Western Conference.
Isaiah Joe chipped in with 21 points, and Chet Holmgren added 19 for Oklahoma City, who held a commanding 70-56 lead at halftime and extended it to 103-74 after three quarters. Quentin Grimes led Philadelphia with 28 points, while Justin Edwards contributed 19 for the injury-depleted 76ers, missing key players Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Joel Embiid, and Paul George, with Embiid and George ruled out for the season.
The game saw a combined 109 3-point attempts, with Philadelphia setting a franchise record with 57 shots from beyond the arc.
Key Takeaways:
76ers: Despite a competitive first half, Philadelphia’s lineup struggled to match the depth of Oklahoma City as the game progressed.
Thunder: With increased playing time for reserves, seven Thunder players reached double figures, including Branden Carlson (16), Kenrich Williams (13), and Dillon Jones (11).
Key Moment:
Oklahoma City’s 33-14 run in the third quarter opened up a significant 29-point lead heading into the final period.
Key Stat:
The Thunder shot 46.2% from beyond the arc, making 24 of 56 attempts, while the 76ers went 18 of 57 (31.6%).
Upcoming Games:
The 76ers will face San Antonio on Friday, while the Thunder will host Charlotte on the same day.
