OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a historic victory on Thursday night, as they secured their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season win by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 116-98.
Despite facing a 16-point deficit in the first half, the Thunder displayed resilience and narrowed the gap to 52-48 by halftime. Coming out of the break, they unleashed a remarkable offensive surge, scoring 42 points in the third quarter to establish an 18-point advantage heading into the final period.
Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess by notching 29 points along with a game-high eight assists for the Thunder, who now boast an impressive 28-5 record and have emerged victorious in 17 of their last 18 regular-season contests. Notably, the standout guard did not see action in the fourth quarter.
Contributions from Jalen Williams, who tallied 18 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds, further bolstered Oklahoma City’s commanding performance.
On the opposing side, Amir Coffey led the Clippers with 26 points, but it was ultimately insufficient to thwart the Thunder’s dominant display.
After a lackluster shooting display in the first half, with a mere 31% field goal percentage, the Thunder rallied to achieve a solid 50% shooting accuracy for the game. Additionally, they showcased their defensive prowess by amassing 11 steals, further solidifying their position as the league leader in this category.
Despite a sluggish start, the Thunder’s depth proved instrumental in overpowering the Clippers, particularly in the absence of James Harden, who was a late scratch from the lineup.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred as Williams sank a runner at the halftime buzzer to reduce the Clippers’ lead to four points. He then spearheaded a crucial 23-5 run by scoring the first six points of the second half, propelling the Thunder into a commanding position that they maintained throughout the remainder of the game.
Highlighting a significant statistical aspect of the game, Norman Powell, who typically averages an impressive 24.3 points per game, struggled to find his rhythm. Embarking on a challenging shooting night, Powell missed his first nine attempts from the field and only managed to score his first basket with just eight minutes remaining in the game. Ultimately, he concluded the night with a modest six points on a 1-of-11 shooting performance, including a 0-for-5 showing from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to continue their homestand as they face the New York Knicks on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Clippers will return home to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, with the anticipated return of star player Kawhi Leonard.
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